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Vocational Counselors Article
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Counselor Careers
from: Kyle BesserCounselors help people with personal, family, educational, mental health and career problems. Their duties vary greatly depending on their occupational specialty.
Educational counselors, vocational counselors and school counselors provide individuals and groups with career and educational counseling. Educational counselors assist students of all levels, from elementary school to postsecondary. Educational counselors advocate for students and work with other individuals and organizations to promote the academic, career, personal and social development of children and youth.
Education counselors help students evaluate their abilities, interests, talents and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals through interviews, counseling sessions, interest and aptitude assessment tests and other methods. Education counselors often operate career information centers and career education programs. Education counselors also work with students with academic and social development problems or other special needs.
Elementary school counselors observe children during classroom and play activities and consult with their teachers and parents to evaluate the children’s strengths, problems or special needs. Along with teachers and school administrators, counselors make sure that the curriculum satisfies both the academic and the developmental needs of the children. Elementary school counselors do less vocational and academic counseling than counselors of secondary students.
High school counselors advise students regarding college majors, admission requirements, entrance exams, financial aid, trade or technical schools and apprenticeship programs. High school counselors help students develop job search skills, such as resume writing and interviewing techniques. College career planning and placement counselors assist students and graduates with career development and job-hunting techniques.
School counselors at all levels help students to understand and deal with social, behavioral, and personal problems. Counselors emphasize preventive and developmental counseling to provide students with the life skills needed to deal with problems and to enhance their personal, social and academic growth.
Some counselors provide special services, such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and conflict resolution classes. Counselors also watch for cases of domestic abuse and other family problems that can affect a student’s development.
Counselors interact with students individually or in groups. They work with with parents, teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, medical professionals and social workers to develop and implement strategies to help students succeed.
Vocational counselors, who are also called employment or career counselors, provide career counseling outside the school setting. Their chief focus is helping individuals make career decisions. Vocational counselors evaluate the client's education, training, work history, interests, skills and personality traits. Vocational counselors may have the client take aptitude and achievement tests to help the client make career decisions. Vocational counselors also work with individuals to develop their job-search skills and help clients locate and apply for jobs. Career counselors provide support to people who experience job loss, job stress or other career transition issues.
Rehabilitation counselors help people deal with the personal, social and vocational effects of disabilities resulting from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents or other causes. Rehabilitation counselors evaluate the strengths and limitations of individuals, provide personal and vocational counseling and arrange for medical care, vocational training, and job placement. Rehabilitation counselors work with the individuals with disabilities and their families.
Rehabilitation counselors evaluate school and medical reports, and consult with physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists and employers to determine the capabilities of the individual. They develop rehabilitation programs for the clients which often include training to help clients develop job skills. Rehabilitation counselors also work with the client to live more independently.
Mental health counselors work with individuals, families and groups to treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. Mental health counselors are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues, including depression, addiction, substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, and grief. Mental health counselors can also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health or other relationship problems. Mental health counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses and school counselors.
Substance abuser counselors and behavioral disorder counselors work with people with alcohol, drugs, gambling and eating disorders. Counseling is done on an individual basis or in groups. Substance abuser counselors and behavioral disorder counselors also work with family members who are affected by the addictions of their loved ones. Substance abuser counselors and behavioral disorder counselors also conduct programs aimed at preventing addictions.
Marriage and family counselors work with individuals, couples, and families to resolve emotional conflicts. Marriage and family counselors work to modify people's perceptions and behaviors, enhance communication and understanding among family members, and help to prevent family and individual crises.
Other counseling specialties include gerontological, multi-cultural and genetic counseling. A gerontological counselor provides services to elderly people and their families. Genetic counselors provide information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions.
Education and training requirements for counselors are often very detailed and vary by state and specialty. Some states require counselors in public employment to have a master's degree while others will accept a bachelor's degree with appropriate counseling courses. Prospective counselors should check with state and local governments, employers and national voluntary certification organizations to determine which requirements apply in the state where one would practice.
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