Counseling Psychology Careers

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Counseling Littleton CO psychologists provide psychological treatment and advice to clients to help them understand, manage and eventually change their emotions, behaviors and reactions to various events or situations. Counseling psychologists can specialize in any of these areas: conflict resolution; eating disorders; geriatric disorders; children and adolescents; couples; and workplace behavior and management. They can work in hospitals, private practice, colleges, university clinics and counseling centers. Counseling psychologists can also find work as educators, consultants, and psychologists in government and other social services agencies. A counseling psychologist can be a full-time professional or a part-time employee, the work alternating with holidays and vacations.

Counseling psychologists help people with a wide range of problems. Some of the problems they address include: stress, depression, guilt, irritability, anger, alcohol and drug abuse, self-esteem issues, work related problems, adjustment disorders, parenting issues, relationships, phobias, pornography addiction and violence. Some of these problems may require different approaches. Counseling psychologists also specialize in particular disorders, such as eating disorders, gambling, bi-polar disorder, and clinical depression.

Counseling psychologists are employed in virtually all the typical psychological practices, from doctors' offices to prisons, from private counseling offices to schools and universities. They can specialize as marriage and family therapists, counselors of children and adolescents, crisis therapists, social workers, and clinical psychologists. Counseling psychologists are involved in research studies, teaching and practice in clinical mental health counseling, correctional, school and hospital settings, and in other settings as indicated through their professional credentials.

A counseling career can be a rewarding career if you enjoy helping people. Counseling is an essential component of the mental health care team of any organization. If you enjoy working with people and helping them improve their lives, you may have a career as a social worker or counselor. If you have an academic background in psychology or related fields, you may have a chance to develop your counseling skills and become a licensed psychologist or counselor.

You can find employment either in private counseling offices or in hospitals. Private offices will allow you to focus on helping people personally, professionally, and spiritually. A career in a hospital will allow you to assist physicians, nursing staff, and therapists in mental health treatment as needed. Counseling will give you the opportunity to teach and instruct individuals and groups about the issues that affect their well-being. Your counseling career will give you the opportunity to reach out to others and help them in their time of need.

Counseling psychology is now a growing profession. There are increasing numbers of people who are suffering from mental illness and/or drug addiction. Counseling psychologists attend special classes that prepare them for this career. Specializations in the areas of counseling psychology require knowledge and skill in various psychological processes. The requirements for counselors in school often vary, as well.

Students pursuing professional counseling degrees will generally begin in a two-year associate's degree program at a community college or junior college. Courses will include learning theory and methods as well as practical application of that learning. Students will often take classes such as Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, Case Studies in Counseling, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Human Development. Those who complete their course work and enter the associate degree program will then be eligible to pursue a bachelor's degree program if they choose.

Counseling is widely recognized as a vital role in today's mental health and social services fields. There are several options for career paths within the field. Career counselors can work with individuals and families to explore possible career options. Counseling graduates can also enter the academia and teach at colleges and universities. Counseling graduates can be successful in many different settings.