Comments on: Personal Goal – Road to Becoming A Counselor

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:39:20 +0000

@Steve – Thanks Steve! You know I will let you know.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:25:16 +0000

Best wishes Scott. God is doing great things with your life and it’s exciting to think what He might do next.

By the way, I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor here in Colorado. If I can ever encourage you, you better let me know!

-Steve

By: Michelle Wilbert

Michelle Wilbert — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:38:46 +0000

I would strongly encourage you to follow this path with your whole heart; it
seems clear that you feel a calling or leading in this area. I too, am working towards an M.A. in Counseling ( in Michigan ) and I am also an intern Spiritual Director and have been a Midwife for many years. I did so very much counseling as a Midwife and Spiritual Direction has dovetailing components that it seemed a natural next step for me. I am turning 50 this year and have 4 children and our youngest, age 8, has spina bifida. My husband is a Teacher. We have never pursued anything for money and I don’t imagine that Counseling will be lucrative but it will fulfill my need for “right livlihood” and I truly trust God to send me the people He knows I can help; it will be the same for you as well.

By: Questioning Along My Way | The Ever-Changing Thought

Questioning Along My Way | The Ever-Changing Thought — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:35:00 +0000

[...] Questioning Along My Way By Scott | April 21, 2009 Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet Box // “I’m going to move forward with the crazy thought that I’ve had in my head of becoming a professional counselor.” – me [...]

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:20:39 +0000

@Tess – Sorry for the delay. Your comment got sucked into the ol’ spam box for some reason.

For me, counseling wouldn’t be about the money. Yet, at the same time, I wish I could “make it” being just that, a counselor. Now, I wouldn’t mind speaking or writing as well, but I just want to help folks. I want to see that change you speak of.

Thanks for your encouragement and your suggestions. Oh, and thanks for the visit as well.

By: Tess The Bold Life

Tess The Bold Life — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:52:09 +0000

Scott,

I worked as a counselor in Michigan. I began at the age of 41 when I graduated from grad school. My first 2 years were in addictions with 2 different agencies. No there is no money in that and an over load of paperwork and exhaustion.

However I learned more in those 2 years than I did working in my private practice with the “worried well.” I wouldn’t have traded them for anything.

From my experience in MI so many insurance companies cut benefits and the clients who have insurance, you take so much less money it is hard to make alot. Most of my clients were teachers who had exceptional insurance while I had my private practice. That has even changed now. And I supplemented my income as a professional speaker and author.

My advice to you would be to check out counselors that have online businesses as well. You’ll be surprised at how many will email or phone you back and share their experience.

I think you would make an excellent counselor but would have to forget about the money at least until the economy comes back. People who have it and can afford to pay out of pocket are hanging on to it.

On the other hand it is a very rewarding job. You get to see people change before your very eyes, and what can be better than that?

Expect a miracle!
Tess

Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magic for Your Monday: Bold Steps for Living Your Dreams

By: Personal Goal - Road to Becoming a Counselor - Update 1 | The Ever-Changing Thought

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:42:11 +0000

[...] Personal Goal – Road to Becoming A Counselor [...]

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:45:37 +0000

@Jean – Thanks for the response, information, and the question. Emphasis on the question.
The most appealing idea about becoming a counselor is helping others with and through personal challenges that they are facing.
The “idea” or desire to become a counselor stems from my 2 week stint at Cumberland Heights I think. The counselors there really touched a part of me that I feel necessary to spread to others. To “pay it forward” so to speak. I can’t recall a day since where I didn’t have this desire.
And don’t worry. I’m not going to walk in the office and turn in my keys tomorrow. This is a long path for me and I’m just at the beginning. I may find, after researching, that this is just a phase or it’s just not feasible. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.
Take your pen or pencil and write 10. Take MBTI up there on your monitor in The Plan section. I’ve added it to my goals. I may have to modify that plan next week already.
Again thanks so much for the input. Very valuable.

By: Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk

Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:12:47 +0000

Another thing I would add to the list is cut down on your material standard of living. Pay off your truck debt and start saving money. My husband and I have always lived below our means and it’s given us incredible freedom.

You say you’re comfortable but unhappy. I have a different view of comfort zones: http://stresstopower.com/blog/2008/10/05/honoring-our-comfort-zones/ I was lucky enough to be depressed when I was a kid, and the experience gave me enough motivation to last the rest of my life. I realized then that material things could never fill the emptiness inside me, so I never fell into that trap.

By: Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk

Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:22:44 +0000

What about becoming a counselor appeals to you? I think you’re wise in getting a lot more information before making that, or any, career move.

I’ve always been interested in personal growth, so when it was time to go back to work after staying at home with my daughter for 10 years, I seriously considered becoming certified as a counselor. I ended up refreshing my computer programming skills and getting the best job of my life using my background in physics (see http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/09/08/making-hay-while-the-sun-shines/ )

I didn’t give up on using my experience in personal growth–I taught classes at the local community college and led ongoing groups on the subject. It was a good choice for me.

I notice you didn’t mention the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Have you ever taken it? It’s a great way of getting in touch with what you really like to do. It was designed to help people find jobs that matched their interests.

Do me a favor and take it (or something similar) and share the results with us in a post. We’re rooting for you!