Counselor Training Class: How to Become a Counselor

Counselors work in a variety of fields, helping people get better and become active members of society again. Whether they work in groups or one-on-one therapy, counselors are required to have some knowledge of psychology and sociology in order to be able to deal properly with the issues affecting the patient.

Check the regulations in your state. In some areas, you can become a counselor after taking a basic certification in your desired area of expertise or even by getting on-the-job training. In other states, an official degree as a therapist or a psychologist may be needed before you can work as a counselor. If your state requires a license or certification, it most likely means you will also need a Master’s Degree on the subject.
Choose one area of expertise. Counselors work in anything from weight control to drug abuse to abuse survivor groups. Depending what type of counseling you want to do, you may need to follow a different educational path. The five areas of counseling that require a degree include: clinical psychologists, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, licensed social workers, school psychologists and marriage, family, and child counselor.
Look online for certifications you can do from home. If your state doesn’t require a university degree, you can probably get all you need by taking a workshop through the internet. Typical classes you will be required to take in order to become certified include ethics, crisis counseling, crisis intervention, research and evaluation and counseling.
Pass any required state exams. Depending on which area of counseling you want to work on, you may be required to have knowledge of disabilities, pharmacology, social and mental issues and networking matters.
Get involved in therapy as a patient. This will give you a good feel for the types of counseling available and help you decide on the best course of action regarding education and work experience.