You can get certifications in social work, human services and counseling, etc. But not everyone chooses to work in these fields. There is also the option of becoming a therapist or counselor. This is where psychotherapy and counseling come into play.
Social / psychological counselors are employed by either private or public facilities. They are usually hired after working with someone who is either having trouble coping with their personal or professional life, or they are having issues relating to work. There is also the option of becoming a spiritual teacher, which involves working with people who have spiritual beliefs.
If you are considering a career in social work, you will want to know what kind of certification you will need to work. While many jobs require this certification, not all do. Here is a list of some jobs that do not require a social service certification; however, you may want to consider getting one if this is your goal:
Marriage and Family Therapy: This is a job that focuses on helping couples go through the problems in their marriage. This may include domestic conflict, financial stress or other marital issues. The therapist will evaluate the couple and help them come to terms with these problems.
Clinical Social Worker (CSP): A clinical social worker is a therapist who is also a psychologist. A CSP will help individuals with therapy and counseling problems. These professionals must be certified in both their field of psychology and social work. Depending on where you live, there may be a position for a clinical social worker that you can apply for. Usually you will have to work under a licensed psychologist for two years to get this certification. This is not the case everywhere though.
Social Work: There are a variety of different concentrations within the field of psychology. A few examples include community health, development, elder care, or child development. A social work degree can be completed and be able to work in a variety of different environments. Many times these professionals will find work in government, schools or private organizations that work with the community.
So now that you know a little bit more about what you can do once you graduate from college with a psychology degree, it is time to choose a career path. There are many different opportunities out there, so you really have to decide what you want to do once you start looking. You can choose to be a therapist, worker, CSP or social worker. A therapist will work with patients to help them work through emotional issues and learn how to deal with the problem they are having. A worker will assist people with getting gainful employment, as well as finding work in a similar field. The most common area that people end up working in is in public or private sector settings.
If you are interested in becoming a therapist, then you can get your bachelor’s degree in psychology from an accredited university or college. Your degree program will consist of general education courses and classes that will help you learn about psychology. After you have earned your degree, you may be required to take a clinical internship in a local mental health center or hospital. Most times these positions are filled by college students who are also working on their Master’s degree. After you complete your master’s degree, you will be able to apply for jobs in a variety of different psychology settings.
Another option for those who would like to work in a clinical setting is to become a CSP. A CSP will work as a counselor at a facility for the mentally ill. You will have to work with both people who are confined to a mental institution and people who are free to work. A CSP degree program is not as common as other psychology degree programs because not as many universities or colleges offer them. However, if you are interested in this challenging field of psychology, then a CSP degree may be right for you.
With a graduate degree in Social Psychology, you can start a career helping people who are suffering from one of society’s most troubling problems-addiction. There are many treatment programs available that utilize cognitive behavior therapy and other types of psychological treatments. Because of the great demand for these professionals, it is important that you obtain as much information as possible before pursuing a career in this area.
