Stay Involved: Professional Development Resources for Counselors
Throughout your counseling career, it is crucial that you stay current with the counseling profession's practices and issues in order to remain a licensed and certified counselor. Many counselors often serve as advocates for mental health patients and populations, and being part of a professional association will help you with your professional causes. There are a couple of ways that you can keep yourself informed about counseling practices and the counseling profession, whether you are a counseling student or a professional counselor.
Continuing Education for Counselors
Counselors must take continuing education classes both to stay licensed and also because there are always new issues and developments to keep up with in the counseling profession. Continuing education courses can be offered through your job, through an educational institution, (online or on campus), a government agency, or through a professional organization.
Membership in a Professional Association for Counselors
As both a counseling student and a professional counselor, you should be a member of a professional association. Doing so will help you stay current with developments in counseling as well as give you the chance to network with other counseling professionals, which can be helpful for future job opportunities and resources.
Benefits of membership in a professional association can include access to a job postings board or listserv, the chance to attend and participate in counseling and related conferences, and meeting fellow members to collaborate with or provide feedback on research or writing that you want to publish.
Here are some professional organizations to consider joining:
- American Psychological Association (Applicants who possess a master’s degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited institution can attain associate member status)
- American Counseling Association
- American Mental Health Counselors Association
- American Rehabilitation Counseling Association
- American School Counselor Association
- The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
While you are still a student, make sure that you speak with your professors, the career planning counselors for your program, and your peers. They will give you ideas about what organizations to join.