A juvenile counselor provides children and adolescents with care, guidance, and social services. He or she works with children and teenagers who have behavioral issues at home and at school. Counselors for children and adolescents assist their clients in developing healthy lifestyle habits and motivating them to become productive citizens. Professionals work in a variety of settings, with different responsibilities depending on where they work. A juvenile counselor might work in a jail, a group home, a drug rehab clinic, or a social services office.
Adolescents who face adversity in their lives, such as parental abandonment, drug addiction, or mental illness, rely on the help of juvenile counselors to learn how to deal with their issues. Most counselors love their jobs, and knowing that they are making a difference in the lives of so many children is a wonderful feeling. However, some clients can be extremely difficult to assist, particularly if they do not believe they require assistance. A juvenile counselor must be patient and empathetic at all times in order to do their job well. He or she must also have the confidence to assert authority and the will to enforce rules.
A juvenile counselor is usually in charge of supervising the activities of a large number of clients at the same time. He or she ensures that residents of a group home or correctional facility complete their assigned tasks, attend case worker meetings, and take their medications. A counselor may also meet with clients one-on-one to assist them with homework or to allow them to express their personal feelings. Counselors serve as role models for their clients by making wise lifestyle decisions and treating them with dignity.
The requirements to work as a juvenile counselor differ depending on the region and setting. A bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related field is required for most working counselors. New counselors are frequently required to attend several days of specialized training on topics related to working with children. They are given advice on how to interact with teenagers and how to deal with difficult situations when clients act out. Counselors are taught how to restrain physically violent clients as well as what to do in an emergency. After completing training courses, new employees often spend two weeks shadowing experienced counselors to gain practical experience.
Continuing education is usually required of a juvenile counselor who wishes to advance in the field. An individual with a master’s degree or higher in psychology, counseling, or social work is qualified to provide case management and clinical therapy to clients. Professionals with advanced degrees and licensure requirements can work as family psychologists in private practice or as administrators in government social service departments.