Counseling is most of the time “a dream come true” for those in the field. We’ve worked diligently to get to this level of our career and then think “man I finally made it!” But what if we get here and realize that we want more than a contracting job or to work in an agency?
Well that may be what is offered to us when we first start off, and that’s okay because we’re fresh young saplings just starting to dig our roots in the field. Personally I want my roots to not only sprout leaves in this phase, but I yearn for some monstrous sturdy branches to weather the storm too. Pondering this, led to this not so novel idea of expand the focus, being a counselor is just sitting talking to clients all day, right? As I am sure you’ve discovered that’s hardly it at all. But wait, there’s MORE!
What’s Out There for Me?
- Joining organizations to volunteer with a population your passionate about.
- Advocacy groups are options, the web is full of resources that have been untapped.
- If you’re more on the creative side there is blogging, writing a book, making you-tube videos, websites, hosting a therapeutic arts and crafts group and public speaking as options. You can also contribute to a magazine, submit an article to a newspaper, write book reviews, write blogs for Psychology Today, Psych-central, Counseling Today or any of the other psychology related websites out there.
- Say you’re more on the see of academia you can explore second degrees such as being a psych nurse, sociologist for example, if going back to school isn’t in the stars becoming an adjunct professor, a skills trainer, start a therapeutic book club or doing your own research may be something to explore.
- If you want to do something physical with the skills learned as a counselor investigate trauma focused yoga, or mindfulness focused yoga, creating a local walking/running group that either walks for fun and/or to raise awareness and possibly funds for Mental Health foundations.
- If you love animals and want to learn more about how to use animals in therapy, there are always options for animal assisted therapist and or animal training even. This could be a way to supplement both income and variety into your future career as not only a counselor but, also an animal trainer.
- If you love mentoring and tutoring, just because we have counseling degrees doesn’t mean that we have to only provide counseling, we can provide tutoring and mentoring as well! There are many options for both that can be found with a simple Google search.
My point is, avoid burn out, or getting trapped in “this is it” mentality about a counseling career, because if you follow what inspires you, you’ll discover that sitting down and talking to clients is just the tip of the iceberg.
Go out there, be mindful, and create a life worth living for yourself and those you serve!
Stephanie Konter is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern, whom graduated from the University of South Florida with a Masters in Counselor Education. She has spent the past 3 years dedicating herself to the counseling profession through her course work, experiencing her own person self-growth in counseling, and counseling in the community. Actively working with the University of South Florida’s UChapter of To Write Love on Her Arms, as well as Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, Florida. Current theoretical orientations involve Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness. Ambitions to work with clients in creating "a life worth living", and to break away of perfectionism, fear, and embracing vulnerability. View her personal blog at http://infinitepragma.wordpress.com
