I live in Georgia and recently there have been some rules/requirements changed in our state for those applying for their Licensed Professional Counselor license. I remember as an early counselor in training, even starting as an undergraduate I was fortunate to have professors and supervisors who prepared me for many of the hurdles of what lies ahead. One thing I can say, is that it is an always changing discipline in some ways, evolving with the needs of the public, culture, and as we learn and grow as professionals.
Unfortunately I’ve seen too many new counselors in training in my career blindly following what they think they know from hearsay, not reading or staying up to date for themselves, or believing they don’t have time or money to put into the supervision and training requirements. This can lead to more time, money and paperwork than necessary when pursuing your Professional Counseling or other license type.
I do as much as I can to encourage my supervisees and other new mental health professionals starting out to do their own homework and keep up with current changes and trends in the field. That doesn’t mean I don’t do my best to guide and assist them on their journey, quite the contrary. But I do believe it is a collaborative effort and level of responsibility on both ends of the couch so to speak when it comes to completing the licensure process.
I do that because knowledge is power. Power to pursue your career. Your license is your ticket to the career you’re pursuing to independence in your livelihood.
At the end of the day it’s yours, you guard it with everything you can.
Are there hurdles? Yes.
Is it a challenge? Yes.
Is it easy? No way.
But at the end of the day lives will be helped, families will be restored and abused children will have one more caring adult they can trust in their life. It’s worth the challenge. Make it your own.
