Counselors for relationships work with couples and families to help them understand and resolve interpersonal issues. To facilitate better communication, behaviors, and understanding within clients’ relationships, professionals rely on their expert knowledge of established psychotherapy techniques. A person who wants to work as a relationship counselor typically needs a master’s degree in counseling, one to two years of supervised practice, and passing a licensing exam. A relationship counselor with the necessary training and licensure can work in private practices, mental health clinics, and government family service agencies.
A four-year bachelor’s degree program in psychology, sociology, or counseling can be pursued by someone who wants to work as a relationship counselor. A student takes a number of general psychology courses as an undergraduate to gain a basic understanding of the subject’s history and fundamentals. Additional coursework in statistics, biology, computer science, and communications equips aspiring relationship counselors with the skills they’ll need to succeed in the field.
A student who wants to become a relationship counselor can start looking into master’s degree programs at accredited universities near the end of a bachelor’s degree program. Some schools offer degrees in marriage and family counseling, but if specialized training is not available, a graduate student can benefit from a general counseling program. Most master’s degree programs last two to three years and include classroom instruction as well as a practicum at a local mental health clinic. Internships are an important part of a degree program because they give students hands-on experience with the daily activities and responsibilities of a relationship counselor.
An individual can apply for another internship or entry-level position after completing graduate school. A new counselor is usually allowed to work directly with clients under the supervision and guidance of a more experienced professional in most settings. The amount of time a person must work under supervision varies by region, but most new professionals can expect to work for one to two years before being able to practice on their own.
After completing the training, a person can sit for a regional licensing exam to become a relationship counselor. Licensing exams are typically computer-based exams with multiple-choice and essay questions about local laws, confidentiality standards, client assessment skills, and standard procedures. A counselor can begin pursuing a career in a variety of professional settings after passing a test. In order to prepare for the additional administrative duties of running an independent practice, a person who wants to become a relationship counselor in his or her own practice should gain several years of experience in the field and pursue continuing education.