Your masters program will teach you theories and basic skills. So you already understand the importance of good listening skills and establishing a good therapeutic relationship. In this post, I will make suggestions as to what your next steps should be.
- Find a niche. The sooner you start to think about the area in which you want to specialize, the better. Figure out what topic/issue you are interested in, and then see if there is a demand for it in your area of the country. For example, Spanish-speaking counselors are in high demand in my home state of Florida. Then, start reading and attending trainings! Find other counselors who specialize in the same or similar issues and network! .
- Be prepared to deal with many types of issues. I know this sounds the opposite of what I just told you, but in addition to having a speciality you must also be enough of a generalist! People don’t always know what their issues are, and sometimes new ones come out in the course of therapy. And unless you have a really good way of filtering clients before they come to your door, chances are they will present an issue that is outside of your speciality area.
- Have a good referral network. For those presenting issues where you really do need to refer, it is a good idea to keep a binder or book of other counselor’s cards. So get out there and network! Be sure to refer ethically, that is do not send a client to a therapist whose work you are not familiar with.
- And know when to refer. Understand your limits, and be aware of when the therapy needs to go in a direction that you are not qualified to handle. This is where consulting with your peer group, or contacting the relevant person in your referral network comes in handy. They can give you a second opinion as to whether or not they think the client needs to be referred. But don’t over-refer either. Clients are very sensitive to this, and they may feel like their issue is “too severe” and hopeless if you have to send them to someone else.
- Don’t choose a personal counseling theory too soon. Although your school will want you to develop your own theory, don’t allow yourself to get tied down too soon. If you typecast yourself too soon you will stifle your natural development, which will not only hold you back but frustrate the heck out of you. And who needs that?
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Barb LoFrisco
