The Importance Of Being A Counselor

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What does it mean to be a Counselor? When people come across individuals in the profession of mental health they typically think of “crazy”, “bad”, or “it takes a special person”. A true counselor’s job responsibilities go well beyond what people imagine. Counselor’s help individuals deal with difficult emotions, mental health disorders, and trauma related experiences. A person who holds this title provides therapy and guidance to clients that help manage stress, redirect emotions, evoke change, and set goals for themselves. There are several types of counselors that specialize in different areas of the Mental Health field and each requires a special type of person with a special place in their hearts. Subsequently, a mental health counselor …show more content…
Daily counselors are asked to explore the many depths of a client. Depths ranging from their lowest of times to their highest of times and counselors are there for the entirety of the self-explorative journey. Although, there can be a great reward within this profession, it also has negative elements that can affect a counselor’s way of living. There are responsibilities that come with the job that aren’t so attractive to others with which they shy away from. When you become a counselor, you make a commitment to all individuals and help those who need you most. Including those who have an immediate need for treatment due to a traumatic or impulsive incident. At that time, counselors are no longer perceived as that individual greeting you with a friendly smile, warm handshake, and listening ear. Instead, it’s their duty to provide crisis treatment when emergency situations arise. When clients become suicidal, refuse medication, threaten to harm others, or experience a sudden escalation of mental health symptoms that were previously under control. This responsibility alone creates a stressful, face paced and pressured work environment that can carry over into one’s personal life. It’s not only dealing with crisis’ in terms of trauma or impulse, but also addictions, alcoholism, abuse, and mania. Regardless of what an individual struggles with a counselor will look past those faults and …show more content…
Burnouts can be defined as a syndrome of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of personal failure created by failing to prioritize self-care elements. Remaining self-aware and mindful in our own practices will allow us to better enhance the future of our profession. Additionally, it will help ease the stresses involved with becoming a mental health counselor. All states require that mental health counselors have a Master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs or be substantively equivalent. Most programs transitioned to a 60-credit program as recently as 2013. Requiring prospective counselors to meet a core of content objectives that are common to all counseling specialties. Such as human growth and development, career development, individual and group counseling, mental health diagnoses and more. Being a part of a mental health counseling program is competitive, grueling, and can take anywhere from 2-4+ years for you to complete. After completion counselor’s will be eligible for licensure in their state after completing the required amount of post-graduation supervisory hours determined by one’s respective state. In the long term, it can be a good idea for counselors to

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