How to Become a Counselor in Idaho

Counseling Education in Idaho

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Are you considering enrolling in a counseling degree program in Idaho? This is the ideal major and profession for individuals who want to assist others in overcoming challenging situations, as well as encouraging people and helping them create positive changes in their lives. Counseling students learn how to provide appropriate social, emotional, and mental support using a wide variety of techniques. They also gain the knowledge and skills needed to work with different demographics such as children, couples, and the elderly. Working as a counselor can be emotionally taxing but the profession does offer several benefits, including opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others and decent job security.

According to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for many counseling occupations is expected to increase nationwide from 2020 to 2030. The professions that will see the greatest growth include genetic, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists. Projections also indicate a rise in employment for school and career counselors and advisors. These professions can expect increases of between 11 and 26%, which is significantly more than the average of other occupations. This will account for about 84,800 new counseling jobs added to the market per year.

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Most of this projected growth is expected to occur due to an increase in people seeking addiction and mental health counseling services. Providers are beginning to coordinate with other specialists more, encouraging a trend towards treating multiple problems simultaneously. Many court systems are also beginning to sentence drug offenders to treatment rather than jail time. Additionally, continued demand for qualified professionals will result from the need to replace workers transferring to different occupations or exiting the labor field.

The educational services, healthcare, and social assistance industry is the fourth largest of all industries in Idaho. It accounts for $7 billion in revenue each year. However, it’s also worth noting that the state is ranked second in the country for healthcare growth. Not only has the revenue in this industry risen 46% in the last ten years, but it is expected to rise another 36% in the coming years.

While counseling programs are available throughout the nation, with distance learning options readily available, those who intend to pursue counseling positions in Idaho should strongly consider enrolling at a local college or university. Licensing requirements for counselors vary by state and, as a result, local institutions will be most familiar with and capable of preparing graduates for the certification process. Schools in Idaho institutions also tend to offer the most geographically relevant coursework and may already have connections with employers in nearby communities.

A degree in counseling will allow you to pursue several different career paths within the field. Most colleges and universities give students the option to select a concentration that focuses their studies on a particular topic. This selection will greatly impact the type of work performed.

Some of the most common areas of specialization include:

Are you considering enrolling in a counseling degree program in Idaho? This is the ideal major and profession for individuals who want to assist others in overcoming challenging situations, as well as encouraging people and helping them create positive changes in their lives. Counseling students learn how to provide appropriate social, emotional, and mental support using a wide variety of techniques. They also gain the knowledge and skills needed to work with different demographics such as children, couples, and the elderly. Working as a counselor can be emotionally taxing but the profession does offer several benefits, including opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others and decent job security.

According to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for many counseling occupations is expected to increase nationwide from 2020 to 2030. The professions that will see the greatest growth include genetic, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists. Projections also indicate a rise in employment for school and career counselors and advisors. These professions can expect increases of between 11 and 26%, which is significantly more than the average of other occupations. This will account for about 84,800 new counseling jobs added to the market per year.

Most of this projected growth is expected to occur due to an increase in people seeking addiction and mental health counseling services. Providers are beginning to coordinate with other specialists more, encouraging a trend towards treating multiple problems simultaneously. Many court systems are also beginning to sentence drug offenders to treatment rather than jail time. Additionally, continued demand for qualified professionals will result from the need to replace workers transferring to different occupations or exiting the labor field.

The educational services, healthcare, and social assistance industry is the fourth largest of all industries in Idaho. It accounts for $7 billion in revenue each year. However, it’s also worth noting that the state is ranked second in the country for healthcare growth. Not only has the revenue in this industry risen 46% in the last ten years, but it is expected to rise another 36% in the coming years.

While counseling programs are available throughout the nation, with distance learning options readily available, those who intend to pursue counseling positions in Idaho should strongly consider enrolling at a local college or university. Licensing requirements for counselors vary by state and, as a result, local institutions will be most familiar with and capable of preparing graduates for the certification process. Schools in Idaho institutions also tend to offer the most geographically relevant coursework and may already have connections with employers in nearby communities.

A degree in counseling will allow you to pursue several different career paths within the field. Most colleges and universities give students the option to select a concentration that focuses their studies on a particular topic. This selection will greatly impact the type of work performed.

Some of the most common areas of specialization include:

In order to gain employment in counseling or a counseling-related job, you will need some form of advanced education. While some positions in the field may be attainable with only a high school diploma, the best prospects will be available to those with degrees. Counseling programs are available at every level – associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. Keep your ultimate career goals in mind as you consider which degree type is most appropriate.

Become a Counselor in Idaho

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If you want to work in the counseling field in Idaho, the first step is identifying your ultimate career goals. What type of services do you want to provide and what demographic are you most interested in serving? With so many different options available, it’s important to identify your specific goals as clearly as possible. Knowing your ultimate objectives will make it easier to select an applicable program and degree type.

Requirements are different for school counselors, substance abuse counselors, and mental health counselors. Most types of counseling positions necessitate completing a 60-hour graduate degree program, although prospective substance abuse counselors can earn certification with only 21 credit hours. The school counselor licensure process is overseen by the Idaho State Department of Education, while substance abuse counselors are licensed through the Idaho Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification.

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To become a general mental health counselor in Idaho, students will need to enroll in a graduate program that covers several important content areas including human growth and development, group theory and practice, lifestyle and career development, and professional orientation. Students must also complete a supervised internship, during which time they are considered Registered Counselor Interns (RCIs).

After graduation, mental health counselors can attain status as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs). LPCs must complete 1,000 supervised hours of post-graduate counseling, while LCPCs need 2,000 supervised hours. Applicants for licensure will also need to pass examinations. LPCs require passing scores on the National Counselors Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE), administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). LCPCs, on the other hand, must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE), also administered by NBCC.

In Idaho, licensing requirements for mental health counselors are overseen by the Idaho Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists, a branch of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. You should also note that LPC and LCPC licenses expire annually. Renewal necessitates paying a fee and completing all continuing education (CE) requirements. Both professional types must complete 20 hours of CE over a 12 month period, including at least three hours of face-to-face ethics instruction.

Additionally, counselors of all kinds working in Idaho should strongly consider joining the Idaho Counseling Association. This professional organization strives to bring counseling and human development professionals in education, healthcare, residential treatment, private practice, community agencies, governments, and business settings together. Memberships are available to current counselors, persons working in the mental health field, students, and retired professionals. Benefits of joining include access to conferences, events, community education, leadership development, and networking opportunities.

Careers for Counseling Graduates

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As previously mentioned, choosing to earn a counseling degree in Idaho can lead to a number of great career options. While salaries and daily duties will vary, some of the most common professions available to graduates include: