How to Find Counseling Jobs

By offering an ear and carefully considered advice, you have made a difference in the world through your career in counseling. Finding a new job in this field will require the same amount of patience and dedication as you share with your clients.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• License
• Resumé

Find a Counseling Job

1. Look for jobs as a school counselor through your state's board of education. You will find postings for jobs in public schools and some private schools.

2. Find a position as a substance abuse counselor with a non-profit charitable organization which assists those addicted to alcohol and drugs. These non-profit entities may advertise their positions in your local newspaper or through their own website.

3. Consider a career in counseling others about their careers. Opportunities for this kind of employment are available at universities and colleges throughout the country and make good options for people with multiple degrees or specializations. For example, an individual with an undergraduate degree in art and a graduate degree in counseling would be well suited for a career as an art department student counselor.

4. Start your job search with state and private hospitals and rehab facilities if you are a behavioral rehabilitation counselor. Depending on your specialization and licensing requirements, you may need to fulfill a certain number of hours of practice and observation before you can qualify for this kind of employment.

5. Consider going into private practice if you are a licensed marriage and family counselor.

6. Network with other counselors and therapists in your area. Many counselors find an economic benefit to sharing an office with others who provide similar therapeutic services, while keeping their practices separate. You may find a colleague interested in this kind of arrangement as well as create a network of referrals to broaden your client base.

7. Go the academic route and teach what you know so well. With several graduate programs in counseling operating throughout the United States, you will find job postings for these positions on school websites as well as in professional counseling publications.

8. Find job postings for all kinds of careers in counseling through professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association (see Resources below). Organizations such as these also offer informational and educational seminars on career planning and skills for finding jobs within your field.

Tips & Warnings

• States operate under different standards for counseling professionals. Before you seek jobs in a new state, confirm the hour requirements and licensing procedures with that state's advisory board.

Resources

• American Counseling Association for job postings

[philipjfry1982]

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