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Exploring Different Types Of Counseling Degrees: Your Path To A Rewarding Career

Exploring Different Types Of Counseling Degrees: Your Path To A Rewarding Career

Mental Health

Choosing the right type of counseling degree is crucial for ensuring you provide skillful care to future clients and find professional and personal fulfillment. At Advanced Behavior Health Inc. (ABH), we understand the importance of making informed decisions about your educational and career path, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

The Importance of a Master’s Degree in Counseling

A master’s degree is the entry-level requirement to practice as a professional counselor. This advanced education provides the foundational knowledge and skills to help clients effectively.

For those interested in teaching, research, supervision, leadership, and advocacy, pursuing a doctoral degree might be the next step, typically after gaining work experience as a counselor.

Choosing the Right Counseling Degree

When selecting a counseling degree, consider the following questions to guide your decision:

Whom do you want to counsel? Children? Couples? Veterans? Those who have an addiction?
In which workplace settings do you want to work?
Are you drawn to a particular type of counseling?

Your answers will help determine the best counseling degree program for your career interests and personal preferences.

8 Types of Counseling Degrees and Related Clients and Settings

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits various counseling degree programs, each focusing on different client needs and work settings. Here are some common counseling degrees and the environments where you might work:

Addiction Counseling

Clients: Individuals and families affected by alcohol, drugs, food-related, gambling, sexual, and other addictive disorders
Work settings: Community agencies, private practice

Career Counseling

Clients: Individuals needing guidance for career decisions
Work settings: Career resource centers, private organizations, schools, universities, private practice

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Clients: Individuals, couples, and families with mental and emotional disorders
Work settings: Mental health centers, hospitals, private practice

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

Clients: Individuals with cognitive, physical, psychiatric, and sensory disabilities
Work settings: Mental health facilities, hospitals, private practice, schools, substance treatment facilities

Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling

Clients: Individuals, couples, and families with relationship and communication issues
Work settings: Mental health centers, inpatient facilities, private practice, social service agencies

Rehabilitation Counseling

Clients: Individuals with disabilities aiming to achieve personal, social, and occupational goals
Work settings: Hospitals, government agencies, rehabilitation facilities, schools, universities

School Counseling

Clients: Students from kindergarten through high school
Work settings: Public and private school systems

Student Affairs and College Counseling

Clients: College and university students
Work settings: Counseling offices, housing and residential life, student affairs offices

Why Choose Advanced Behavior Health Inc.?

At ABH, we pride ourselves on being a great place to work and help people. Here’s why:

Supportive Environment: We foster a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere where your professional growth is our priority.
Diverse Clientele: Our team works with a wide range of clients, providing varied and enriching experiences.
Commitment to Excellence: ABH works to maintain high standards of care through continuous education and innovation.
Positive Impact: Join us in making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families struggling with mental health issues.

Hear from Our Team

One of our team members shared his experience:

“Working at ABH has been incredibly rewarding. The support and resources provided here have allowed me to grow professionally while making a significant impact on my clients’ lives.”
—Nicholas

Answer Your Calling to Become a Counselor

Deciding which counseling degree to pursue can be daunting, but it is a critical step in helping others through life’s challenges. If you value flexibility and a supportive environment, consider joining ABH. We offer a range of opportunities for professional growth and development.

Contact Information:

Advanced Behavior Health Inc.
301-345-1022
Visit our website

Take the first step toward a rewarding career in counseling with Advanced Behavior Health Inc. Your journey to making a positive impact in the lives of others starts here.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.