Youth counselors treat children and adolescents who have mental or emotional problems, disabilities and substance abuse issues. They typically work with children to help them become mentally and emotionally stable, through counseling and behavior modification. According to Statista Dossier, 29.4 percent of people residing in Virginia have poor mental health (pg.17). In fact, the total expenditures for 2016 is projected to be 194.4 billion dollars in the United States (pg.19). From these numbers alone, the need for passionate and qualified counselors is vital to not only lowering these numbers, but also to alleviate the mental anguish that many youth suffer. Youth counselors play a vital role in today’s society. Through an overview of interpersonal …show more content…
Youth counselors must be passionate about what they do; counseling is not a career that a person chooses because of the salary, but because they want to make a difference in the lives of others. They have to have the right intensions, or else it will reflect in the way they do their job and impact the community. Active listening skills and communication skills are a necessity when being a counselor because this career requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings. This understanding and respect for a client’s perspective and worldview is the foundation of building relationships not only with your clients, but also with the parents as well. Counselors must be able to give their undivided attention to what other people are saying, taking the time to understand the messages being conveyed, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting others. Another skill that is required is having self-control. Being able to maintain one’s composure, keeping emotions in check, having unbiased and nonjudgmental opinions, and avoiding aggressive behavior even in very difficult situations. These foundational and raw skills are vital, yet must be polished and interwoven with formal education and …show more content…
In 2015, the reported median salary for a mental health counselor is $43,190 per year, which is $20.77 per hour (U.S. Dept. of Labor). This salary can vary depending on location, setting, and demand. Further, the employment of mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Dept. of Labor). This translates to career opportunities for college graduates as the demand for counselors are greater than the supply. Lastly, youth counselors have a variety of flexibility in the type of field and areas of focus that they would like to practice within. A youth counselor can work in multiple settings to broaden their careers including, schools, group residential homes, hospitals, clinics, juvenile detention centers, domestic violence shelters, private practices, and correctional
Lawrence, G., & Robinson Kurpius, S. (2000). Legal and ethical issues involved when counseling minors in nonschool settings. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78, 130-135.
A common struggle for counselors can sometimes be to find the right balance between “the demands or managed mental health requirements and obligations to clients” (Braun & Cox, 2005, p.426). Often times counselors may be t...
The paper will summarize the roles and responsibilities of a behavioral health counselor and provide current models of wellness and resiliency. Behavioral health counselors must be able to function in a face-paced primary care environment.
Sedlak and McPherson’s (2010) study, titled “Youth’s Needs and Services: Findings from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement (SYRP), is based on interviews with youth in custody. According to the SYRP, 60% of youths report anger issues, and depression; moreover, over half of the juveniles who are currently incarcerated report that they are unable to act because they live in fear. That is why Sedlak and McPherson (2010) argue that youth should receive counseling in their current facilities, to find answers about and solutions to their mental and emotional problems.
Nearly 20% of adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with mental illness each year, 10% including a serious emotional or behavioral disorder (Preyde et al., 2011). With the prevalence and severity of adolescent mental illness on the rise, it is worth devoting close scrutiny to the efficacy of different programs available to treat these youth. One type of program in need of review is the short-term, youth crisis residential program (CRP), which boasts a relatively high success rate. This paper will explore the different elements that collectively make CRPs successful for youth with mental illness, comparing and contrasting the current literature with qualitative findings from my field study. Common elements included a structured environment, family-focused approach, cooperation, and a positive focus. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of generalizing to other treatment programs and areas in need of future research and support from the academic community.
I have wanted to be a counselor since my freshmen year of high school and in the counseling field there are many specialties that I can focus on. I am fairly certain that I want to specialize in helping people with substance abuse and their families. I have always focused my studies, interests, and work on things that will help me in this field and I have a lot of qualities that help to enhance me in my eventual career. There are difficulties when I get to practice also like what people perceive as correct counseling style, challenges with my gender and race, and finally creating my own counseling style and plans.
Sometimes individuals consider becoming counselors after overcoming some major life challenge such as addiction or a history of bad relationships. Perhaps an individual has encountered a particularly effective counselor or therapist and has a desire to follow in those footsteps. Others may have had a bad experience with counseling and concluded that it can be done better. People do not think of this work so much as a job, or even as a career. More typically, a constellation of life experiences that demand explanation and a sense that others seek one out for assistance and emotional sustenance become driving forces leading one toward the counseling profession” (An invitation to). .
The career in counseling psychology may have awkward hours. The biggest advantage would be being in a career that I find personally rewarding and fulfilling. Although I can honestly say that the pay for my career of choice is not one of the top priorities, I am glad to learn that this is a decent paying occupation. The average annual wage for a counseling psychologist in Georgia is $67,630, which breaks down to around $33 an hour. In Atlanta specifically, the average annual pay is $103,370. The outlook in this career is definitely positive; growth is increasing and is estimated at 65%. Atlanta is among the group of regions that have a stable outlook in a career involving counseling psychology. A typical day in the life of a counseling psychologist can vary greatly, depending on the type of business the psychologist works for. Private offices make their own hours, but those working in hospitals and other health care facilities may have irregular hours, working night or weekend shifts. Those working in teams may feel the pressure to meet expectations of the group and deadlines, and may end up traveling some. Any career in the counseling
School counseling has evolved over the years into a significant component of the educational system. School counselors are taking on new roles in schools as leaders, working with “school administration and staff in developing student attitudes and behavior which are necessary to maintain proper control, acceptable standards of self-discipline and a suitable learning environment within the school” (Secondary School Counselor 2012). Counselors work in “diverse community settings designed to provide a variety of counseling, rehabilitation, and support services” (Counselors, 2010). When working in a school district as a counselor, you can either be an elementary school counselor, middle school counselor or a high school counselor. This essays explores a recent interview with a high school counselor.
According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, 13% of children aged 8 to 15 experience a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health condition and at least 20% live with a serious mental illness (“Mental Health”). Dr.Jack Westman, a professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin who has been serving more than 50 years to the psychiatric developmental needs of children emphasizes the importance of children’s mental health. Mental health problems among youth are critical because if not treated properly, the problems would exacerbate and cost more to the society. The population of children is decreasing and future society will “not be able to function” if a significant portion of children’s mental health is in danger. In addition, each child with a severe mental health problem cost society $2 million if they become adults without receiving any appropriate mental health problem treatment (Westman). In addition, treating mental illness during the young age before it is exacerbated will be easier and cost-effective
Counselors ' use resilient treatment and other remedies to ensure those who need professional help can get it, resulting in a society that has fewer mentally ill people who can harm others. Counselors are good for everyone who needs it. Their programs are designed to teach, assist, and treat various dysfunctions criminals, victims, and the general public may have. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health personnel such as social workers or family counselors generally conduct treatment (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment,
Counselors are open-minded and do not pass judgment verbally or physically at anytime while assisting students. Prejudging minimizes responses from distressed or problematic students. Giving advice and assistance should not be based on counselors’ personal opinion. Good counselors will refrain from bias and therefore communicate effective skills to empower students. Counselor should become listeners, observers, and advisers.
becoming a counselor, you must allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in all that you do and that should be the number one thing that is in your heart
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (2017) last updated the scope of practice for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in 2010 and defined counselors as applying mental health, therapeutic, and developmental principals to facilitate development and change through prevention, assessment, evaluation of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Counselors in Texas achieve congruence through evaluation and assessment, establishing goals, forming and implementing treatment plans utilizing counseling, assessing, consulting, and referring. Counselors practicing in Texas must not only follow the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics but also the Code of Ethics in Texas (Texas
Throughout this essay I will be explaining and exploring the benefits of counselling to young people, and how individuals can benefit from attending counselling sessions with myself.