Various Types Of Counselors Are In High Demand In Baltimore
For those considering a new career, a degree in psychology or counseling can open many doors; with more insurance companies offering mental health coverage, there will be a much higher demand for counseling services.
Careersinpsychology.org gives great advice for those seeking to enter this rapidly growing career field, "If you are considering becoming a counselor it is important to take some time and to learn as much as you can about which type of patients you would be best suited to help. Every one of us has special traits, empathies, attributes and interests that would make us better counselors in certain areas. Becoming a counselor can be incredibly rewarding, but it will be vastly more rewarding if you use your gifts to bolster your education and to truly develop into the best counselor you can be."
When considering one's "special traits" and how they would be tailored to a specific type of counseling, the site offers a very valuable list of types of counseling, with detailed articles for each describing what they do, necessary education and training, median salary and related links.
One type of counseling that incorporates spiritual principles is pastoral counseling. According to the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, "Pastoral counseling is a unique form of counseling which uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth. Certified pastoral counselors are licensed mental health professionals who have also had in-depth religious and/or theological education or training."
John Knight, President of Knight Counseling and Spiritual Direction in the Baltimore area, works as an LPC with a master's degree in pastoral counseling. Knight says of his education, "My formal education always held a lens to the importance of understanding the tradition and culture of the individuals you encounter. In addition to learning the skills of counseling and communications, I have to listen and understand where the people who see me have come from. Looking at the whole person allows me to serve their needs more effectively." His advice to potential counselors is to "contact a career counselor. Think about what you want to do with your life, and how you want to help others. Research the type of training you could receive in various programs. Find out what jobs fit your interests. Review job descriptions, job shadow, and talk to various experts in the field. Look for a program with expectations that can challenge and educate."
Sara Lugardo is a professional writer out of Chicago, Illinois. She has a bachelor's in communication and is currently working on her master's. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
