Are you the go-to person in your family or group of friends when someone has a problem? Are you naturally empathic, are you obliged to listen with sympathy or to help someone improve their situation? Can you support people on their worst days and celebrate their triumphs? If so, you may be well prepared for a career in counseling and what to expect when working in each area. Psychiatrist positions are by far the highest-paying jobs for psychology students. A psychiatrist must be licensed as a board-certified psychiatrist. Below, we've compiled a list of the highest-paying counseling jobs, along with key information about each position. Professional counselors work one-on-one with clients in a professional environment.
They offer guidance to adults looking to start a new career or make a change. This could be a voluntary change on the part of the client or the result of a dismissal. In either case, professional counselors assess the skills of clients to help them get in touch with local employers. You can also be tasked with helping clients improve their resumes and teaching them how to apply for jobs on their own. You'll need to have a master's degree for this position; thankfully, there are plenty of great programs available.
This is another of the highest-paying counseling jobs on our list, and for good reason. Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, counselors in this field are responsible for treating client relationships, not individuals themselves. Marriage and family counselors often use cognitive behavioral therapy to help replace negative behaviors with positive ones. They must also be able to understand systemic issues and individual roles in client relationships and how those roles can affect the mental well-being of everyone involved. In addition to helping families overcome difficult and emotionally charged situations, marriage and family counselors often have their own private practice. They are responsible for attracting customers through marketing and even for dealing with insurance companies.
You'll need a postgraduate degree in marriage and family therapy for this position. In addition, many states require a license, so be sure to check the guidelines in your area. People in this field help clients with diverse disabilities to live as independently as possible. Some clients have physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities that have been present throughout their lives, while others are facing these challenges for the first time. The latter group may include veterans who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder or fighting injuries, as well as older people who have to adapt to the effects of age on their minds and bodies. Most rehabilitation counselors work in community and vocational services, although many also work in residential care facilities or are government employees.
You'll need a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling to enter this field and a special certification or license for some functions.School counselors, one of the highest-paying counseling jobs on this list, work directly with students to help put them on a path to success. Sometimes that path is academic, such as choosing courses that align with career aspirations or helping to put university applications in order. Other times, it may involve helping students solve personal problems or challenges that prevent them from achieving their full potential. School counselors can work individually or as part of a team focused on helping the student succeed.
You'll need a school counselor's degree for this position, which is offered as a master's degree or higher. Substance abuse, behavioral disorders and mental health counselors work with a wide range of clients in a variety of settings and specializations. Most of the people who work in this often stressful but very rewarding field work in outpatient mental health centers, but many also work in private offices or hospitals and residential facilities. Some work in prisons or juvenile detention centers.
The highest-paying counseling jobs in this line of work require a graduate degree in counseling. In many cases, you'll also need a specialization or certification in the specific field you'd like to dedicate yourself to. Once you earn your diploma, expect to complete a long supervised work experience and pass a licensing exam before starting your career. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors are also known as addiction counselors.
They work with clients individually or in groups to address problems such as eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other issues. Some clients seek treatment on a voluntary basis, while others come after the intervention of family and friends. In some cases, treatment may be ordered by a court. Familiarizing yourself with 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, is helpful, but the ultimate goal of treatment is to help patients develop positive mechanisms for coping with life's challenges in order to establish a path to recovery.
Whether helping a client overcome an addiction, working with a partner to resolve marital challenges, or charting a satisfying educational course for a student, counselors make a difference in the lives of others every day. Take the next step today and learn about online counseling degrees or master's degree programs in counseling. CACREP is the Counseling Accreditation Council (26% of related educational programs). Nearly every state requires counselors to have a graduate degree from an institution accredited by CACREP.
There are currently 785 counseling programs in the U. S. UU. accredited by CACREP.
To become a marriage counselor, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. Once you have a bachelor's degree, you'll need to earn a master's degree with a focus on family therapy. Your bachelor's degree should be in psychology or social work so that you have a strong foundation by the time you enroll in your master's program. You can become a school counselor once you have earned a degree in social work, psychology, or other related fields.
However, graduates are encouraged to earn a master's degree in school counseling with a focus on family or child psychology. Accredited programs are often the best type of program for those looking for high-paying counseling jobs.
