Definition of Counseling

Counseling defined as guidance or advice taken from knowledgeable and qualified person. Like other professions it is a career that comprises working with people and group of people to set up mental health and wellness. Besides this, professionals also help their clients do their education and professional goals. According to American Counseling Association (ACA) counseling is defined as the practical application of psychological, mental health and human development principles via emotional, christian drug counseling behavioral and cognitive intervention methods. Various counseling degrees are offered by leading accredited colleges and universities that enable students and professionals to join this diverse career field.

What Areas a Professional Counselor Covers?

A professional counselor works primarily to find out objective and needs of clients and find the cause of behavioral disorders of people. After performing these basic tasks they formulate a plan or action path to resolve these issues. Counselors work beyond listening people's problems. A counseling degree online makes students capable to work anywhere in the field of social work, community, policy making and human resources department of any organization. Students and professionals who are pursuing any counseling degree online take honest interest in human behavior and always willing to help others including people and group of people. They also interact with people on a personal level and keep up professional relationship with their clients.

Careers for Online Counseling Degree Holders

After completing counseling degree online, professional counselors can work for government agencies, social service associations, private clinics/personal clinics and other work settings. According to an estimate two-third of counselors are self-employed. On the other hand online counseling degree holders find jobs in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and jails, schools and universities.

Careers for online counseling degree holders are broadly divided in two categories that are as follows:

Counseling Career in Private Sector
Counseling Career in Communities
Counseling Careers in Private Sector

In private sector counselors mainly play the consulting roles in organizations to improve their corporate culture, guide them to hire right candidate and keep human resource quality standards. They help to establish a strong foundation for human services department of any organization. Qualified professionals evaluate primary needs of employees and create career oriented jobs. They also decide primary important things for any organization and advice them to set right goals along with creating an atmosphere that support productivity and positive growth. Furthermore, they also work with organizations mainly focus on people, such as marketing research and management consulting companies.

Counseling Careers in Community

In communities more or less counselors play the same role like they do in private sectors. The only difference is that they are dealing with whole community rather with a single company. They analyze community and determine needs in areas like crime reduction, housing and better food resources. After analyzing all these issues, they design a strategic plan to improve resources and let community to grow beyond its current state. Such as creating a good atmosphere for children to learn and grow by establishing community centers that engage them in some constructive activities than sitting idle on road side.

There are many areas of specialization that any counselor can follow to join any specific field. Online counseling degree holders may specialize in areas like child care, therapist, research assistant and teacher. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics Number of jobs are expected to increase over 21% in upcoming years.

Conclusion:

Counseling degree online will prepare students to join various professions in the field counseling in both (government and private) sectors. You can also continue earning specialization degree in any field of counseling to become professional in any field like mental health, marriage and family counseling, substance abuse, Christian and career counseling etc.