What does a Counselor do?
Counselors use their training and qualification in counseling methods to help clients manage, cope, and overcome their mental and emotional issues. Counselors listen to their patients and develop treatment plans and coping strategies for difficulties they face in their daily lives. Working in mental health facilities, hospitals, and schools, counselors encourage clients to face and discuss their emotions and their experiences.
Counselors examine issues including substance abuse, bullying, career, depression, stress, and suicide, and work with families to develop a therapeutic process that keeps a comfortably holistic mind and body approach in mind. They help clients define their goals, craft a plan of action, and to gain insight into better ways of doing things and managing life’s challenges. Counselors record a patient’s progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. When appropriate, they create treatment plans which include appointments with additional counselors, medication, or other services. Counselors need a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or counseling and some go on for a master’s degree. To practice this, they need a minimum of three years experience as a professional counselor and state licensing where applicable.
- Complete incident reports and notify appropriate parties when necessary.
- Maintain a copy of all relevant records and service plans for clients.
- Monitor the overall health, safety, and welfare of clients.
- Assist in monitoring and managing patient community as a therapeutic milieu.
- Provide a safe, caring, and fun environment for participants.
- Perform case management and contribute to client care monitoring.
- Make calls to local ambulance service, fire department, police, or CDPC, as needed.
- Act as liaison with community and governmental agencies.
- Teach alcohol/drug education classes and provide other educational services.
- Transport and supervise clients at designated activities and appointments.
- May act as a liaison between referral sources and patient.
- Write progress reports and record other aspects of patient care.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in behavioral sciences, counseling, or psychology or equivalent experience.
- Is an advocate with adaptable and dexterous skills that meet individual needs.
- Assist with problem solving and collaborate with teams and clients.
- Conduct motivational interviews and pays attention to detail.
- Has prior experience counseling or working in a counseling setting.
- A critical thinker with discrete and professional skills.
- Conduct intakes and make recommendations based on observations.
- Has multilingual skills.
Counselor Salaries
Average Base Pay
Counselor Career Path
Learn how to become a Counselor, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Counselor Insights
Transitions Counseling and Consulting“Clinical supervision provided for free and both my supervisor and an on call supervisor was available when I needed them.”
Jewish Federation of Edmonton“It is a fun environment and it is nice to work with kids in a camp environment.”
Center For Discovery“Also my coworkers are mostly great and I enjoy the connection and team work aspect of the job.”
Caron“I am provided with very beneficial supervision and provided with training opportunities (i.e.”
Eskaton“Every day is different and I enjoy the people I see and the work I do.”
Gold Arrow Camp“met the best people and even though it can be stressful... totally worth it in the end.”
SevenMentor“best coaching institute in PuneVery well managed centre for CCNA CCNP And many More Certification preparation.”
The Progress Place“The clients here are truly amazing and have been such a pleasure to work with.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Counselor
When working as a Counselor, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are CPR First Aid, English Language, Written Communication, Fluent English and IN Spanish.
- Intern
- Client Services Representative
- Research Assistant
- Teaching Assistant
The most common qualifications to become a Counselor is a minimum of a Graduate Degree and an average of 0 - 1 of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.