1. Is being a mental health counselor the right career choice for you? Why do you want to be a mental health counselor? What are the personal qualities of a mental health counselor? Self-awareness of and coping with personal issues Multicultural awareness and sensitivity Appreciate the importance of science : evidence-based practice Put the ego aside : learn as much as you can 2. Professional identity development and ethics Professional identity development Professional ethics
3. Education and licensure requirements Graduate degree in counseling Postgraduate experience Certification Licensure exams Application for licensure License portability 4. Expectations beyond counseling Paperwork Case management Working with colleagues Supervision Managed care organizations Mental health community outreach Professional advocacy
5. Obtaining the right job Searching for desirable jobs Resume and cover letter Managing your online reputation Interviewing 6. Self-care : preventing burnout and enjoying life Burnout : what it looks like in mental health counselors Burnout in the mental health field : its effects on mental health counselors and clients Contributing factors to burnout in mental health counselors Mental health counselor self-awareness and self-monitoring Mental health counselor proactive self-care strategies Putting it all together : your own personalized self-care plan Brief final thoughts
7. Developing and expanding your counseling skills
Consider counseling for yourself
Preach what you (claim to) practice
Receive high-quality supervision
Observe other counselors conduct sessions
Continue building conceptualization skills
Continue formal training after graduation
Understand the integration of technology and counseling
Embrace and accept your anxieties and insecurities
Is private practice right for you?
Getting started : counseling private practice is a business (and that is okay)
The business of a private practice
