You might want to become a youth counselor if you want to help children and teens with issues such as emotional, developmental, and behavioral problems, as well as college major selection. Because the path to a career in youth counseling differs depending on the type of counselor you want to be, you should start deciding what type of counselor you want to be. Schools, group youth homes, juvenile detention centers, and parish community centers are all possible employers. While the requirements for each job vary, most prospective counselors will need a graduate degree in counseling as well as licensure or certification in many cases.
In most cases, a master’s degree in counseling from an accredited university is required to work as a youth counselor. These programs, which are usually offered through a university’s psychology or education department, typically include 48 to 60 credit hours of coursework and supervised counseling practice. Your classes should cover a wide range of counseling topics, such as addiction, career counseling, and crisis treatment, as well as a special focus on working with children and teenagers.
Counselors must obtain a license in every state in the United States before they can be considered professionals. Examine the type of counseling position you want to pursue to see if its employees must be certified as professional counselors. Professional licensure is not required for some counselors, such as certain college academic advisers. Obtaining your license, however, will greatly assist you in becoming a youth counselor because the majority of counseling jobs — particularly those that are government-funded — can only be filled candidates with this professional distinction.
The steps to becoming a licensed professional counselor vary state. In general, they require the completion of a master’s degree as well as approximately 3,000 hours of supervised counseling practice. You should try to spend the majority of these practice hours with young people to best prepare yourself for your future career. A comprehensive examination is usually the last step before licensure. You should check your state’s licensure requirements before starting your master’s program, as some states require class work in specific areas of counseling.
Consider becoming a National Certified Counselor if you want to improve your youth counseling credentials. Certification is a national qualification, unlike counseling licensure, which is issued individual states. Certification requirements are typically less stringent than licensure requirements; in most cases, candidates must complete a master’s degree and pass an examination. Counselors must take continuing education classes or retake the certification exam every five years to keep their certification. While certification isn’t always required for youth counseling jobs, it can add a layer of distinction to your resume.
Finally, if you want to work as a youth counselor, you should research the job’s daily responsibilities and consider whether you have the right personality for it. Many youth counselors deal with troubled kids and teens on a regular basis, and the emotional nature of their work can be stressful and depressing for some. A good youth counselor candidate will have a sympathetic, caring, and patient demeanor, as well as excellent listening skills and the ability to work in a stressful and potentially upsetting environment.