#Career Guide

[willowsallen]

counseling 101: the background.

hi everybody! my name is riley, and i'm a substance use counselor. i've worked in both inpatient and outpatient, i've been in this field since i was 19 and have been professionally working for 2 years. i'm currently in grad school for clinical social work, pursuing my lsw and my clinical licensure (lcsw). i wanted to write a guide on what it "means" to be a counselor! i will be discussing the specifics of a substance use counselor in another post. (it will be linked below.)

disclaimer:

do not take this as professional advice for all counselors, therapists, psychologists, or social workers. this is my background, my information, my experiences, and my specific expertise. this will include the basics of schooling, training, certifications, frequently asked questions, and things you might not realize, as it all pertains to me! what works for my patients and i may not work for you, so be mindful this is not a "my way is correct and your therapist is wrong," as i believe in the pct model of meeting everybody where they're at.

even counselors at my exact experience level and education level may do things differently than me, and that's perfectly fine! i just wanted to write this to give some insight if you're interested in writing a character who is a therapist, or who goes to therapy. or if you're just interested in general! i could give reminders upon reminders but i just need to say that this is all my thoughts and path in life! this is not the end all, be all. and with that, let's get started. (if you have further questions or need something clarified, please feel free to reach out but just for clarification: i'm not your therapist, i'm not being paid for this, please don't trauma dump, and always remember i'm a human just like you!)

education:

your education is based a lot on your "experience" (which i'll talk about next) and i know that doesn't make sense but just stick with me! the very basics of what you need is a bachelor's in a "social work" setting. which includes, but is not limited to (because i forget): psychology, social work, sociology, criminology. these are the foundations for your specific field of work! i'll just be talking about counseling in general, or about substance use, as i am unaware of the other jobs / fields you can get with different degrees.

if you're trying to get a "good" job (livable wage) i would suggest getting a master's degree in your field of work. though, i will say, you can get lucky and survive off of your bachelor's (like i currently am!) but i would strongly, strongly encourage further education which will lead into certifications and licensure, and that will cement your place in the field and open up the job field entirely. with a bachelor's, they often want anywhere from 1-5 years of experience. with a master's, many places will take you with 0 years of experience, up to 5 years, depending on your field and what the company wants.

i currently have my bachelor's in psychology. psychology is such a broad degree that unless you're specifically going to be a clinical psychologist or gain your doctorate, i would choose another field. i didn't know i wanted substance use specifically until i was 19, which i'll speak about in experience, but if i did not choose the substance use field, i would most definitely would have had to immediately get a master's and be licensed in order to receive well paying jobs with just a psychology degree.

experience:

you don't need a master's to get a job in this field, but you do need experience (there will be places that take bachelor's with little to no experience, but will pay you next to nothing). the best thing to do is find an internship! i think the easiest way will be through your school, and when you're picking one of the aforementioned degrees, it should be an option when picking out classes - many times, universities have people that specifically work with internships.

when i was getting my bachelor's degree, it was my first semester and i was 19 when i was offered to interview for an internship through my school. i got accepted on the spot and was apart of it even after i got my "credit" for the semester and continued for two years! i worked in houseless shelters in my county and was running daily men and women's groups, 2:1 sessions (2 counselors to 1 resident), debrief sessions with the other interns, and supplying a resource booth for the residents.

without this internship, i truly and wholeheartedly believe i would not have gotten any job in this field. it's a dog-eat-dog out there in the realm of psychology (which includes all those fields above) and i truly got lucky to get my start this way. if you don't have the time, motivation, or money to gain a master's, i would highly suggest getting involved in internships as soon as possible in order to get those years of experience!

certifications:

this has a wide range of things! i can only speak to what i've received, and what i know about. this also includes specific training to the sud field, but i won't go in depth about it until the next post i do! the certification i will always need is my cpr. i know that sounds silly, but working with people, in general, i feel like everybody that is able to should receive their cpr certificate!

now, with a bachelor's, they're not really expecting you to have anything else. but! you can. i currently have my milieu certification. which sounds fancy but it just means i'm certified in "psychotherapy in which the patient's social environment is controlled or manipulated with a view to preventing self-destructive behavior." i could've explained it myself, but google does wonders and makes me sound smart! i got this through my internship. it was required and within the first two weeks, i went through trainings and seminars to receive the certificate.

another thing i can receive with only a bachelor's (that's specific to sud) is my cadc certification. it stands for certified alcohol drug counselor. in order to do this, you'll need supervision hours from a clinical / licensed or otherwise appropriate supervisor or director. once i receive upwards of 300 hours of documented supervision, i can take my cadc exam and become certified. this can also enhance what jobs are available to me because many jobs ask for this certification in place of a clinical license (some don't, but you know... some do!)

currently, i'm working on my master's and may potentially work towards my cadc along the way, but once i receive my master's i can get my caadc, which is certified advanced alcohol drug counselor. it's just more hours and an exam! not sure which path i'll take yet because grad school is killing me, but those are what's offered in my field and what i'm interested in! of course there's other certifications involved, but that's for you to decide.

licenses:

now comes the fun part. again, what license you want or go for is specific to your field. there's a ton of counseling licenses, but the main ones that are down my path are lpc (licensed professional counselor), lsw (licensed social worker), and lcsw (licensed clinical social worker). so let me explain a little bit about each of them, and what i'm personally doing!

lpc: licensed professional counselors "are trained to offer assessment, therapeutic interventions, consultation, program evaluation and follow-up services in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, community agencies, private practices, religious centers, group homes and more. lpc's can also independently practice counseling, meaning they can establish or join a private practice and directly bill insurance companies or receive cash for counseling services." can: work independently, diagnose mental health conditions, and supervise for clinical hours. this license is primarily for direct mental health care.

lsw: licensed social workers can "render services that rely on a special knowledge of therapeutic techniques, human personalities, and social resources. this includes: helping people become socially adjusted as individuals and members of a family or community, you cannot work independently; you must work in the affiliation of an agency or social work service provider." cannot: work independently or diagnose mental health conditions.

lcsw: licensed clinical social workers "support people through various challenges by providing general counseling services, crisis intervention, mental health therapies, substance use support, and other key services. lcsw's may also supervise the work of lsw's. they may work in schools, hospitals, elderly care facilities, private practices, and even the courtroom—social workers are often called upon as witnesses in court cases. the main thing to remember is that this license gives them freedom and responsibility to make independent decisions about diagnosis and treatment plans." can: work independently, diagnose mental health conditions and supervise for clinical hours.

difference between lpc and lcsw: though both are similar in their ability to work independently, diagnose mental health conditions, and supervise for clinical hours, there is one main distinction between the two. lpc's are more patient focused and lcsw's utilize a patient's entire life. to put it, well... better, i've turned to google! lpc's "focus on helping clients with specific issues, such as mental health diagnoses, substance use, or behavioral issues. they also can specialize in different types of counseling, including substance use or marriage and family counseling." whereas lcsw's "assist their clients with finding and accessing resources that promote a client’s quality of life and may be involved in the legislative process dictating these services. social worker training usually includes counseling techniques and training, best practices, and finding resources for clients."

general overview:

so, with a bachelor's and no cadc or license, what can i do? well! i counsel<3 i speak to my patients about their substance use, i speak to them about their family, i conduct family sessions, i delve into their trauma, i utilize cbt, pct, mi, and grounding techniques. i run daily groups with my caseload, i run bi weekly groups for the entire community, and i initially assess them for proper level of care. i submit asam's, prepare treatment plans and update them weekly, and work with them on their goals while in and outside of treatment. all of this will be spoken about further in my sud counseling guide.

a day-in-the-life timeline looks like: clock in, check any updates / notes on my patients, go to treatment team with the clinical staff / case management / nursing and doctors (which pertains to the level of care my rehab is - you will not always have this, dependent on inpatient or outpatient and other factors), i run my daily group for an hour with my patients, i do group notes for them, i have my lunch, if i have that afternoon group for the whole community i run it, then i fit in any individual sessions or initial assessments that i need, i complete all progress notes for the day, and i clock out. in between, i handle patient crisis', ama's, behavioral issues, and general questions.

modalities:

what are modalities? "modalities are approaches or methods that a therapist will use to help you reach your goals. modalities fall into broad categories, such as cognitive and behavioral, somatic (body awareness), experiential (play or art therapy), and more." these vary by counselor-to-counselor. this is what works for the counselor and the patient and instead of including the quadrillions of therapy modalities, i'll just talk about the ones i use the most! (also side note that i believe most therapists, within reason, should be utilizing pct and mi but... that's a soapbox for another day). i'll be talking more about why i use - these in relation to sud - in my other post.

cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt):

i want to start this off by saying that cbt is very useful in the beginning stages of therapy! oftentimes, people utilize dbt or somatic therapy after they've "accomplished" cbt. i employ cbt due to, more often than not, patients not having a solid foundation for recovery or changing their ways. so what is cbt?

"cbt is a psycho-social intervention that aims to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions, primarily depression and anxiety disorders. cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective means of treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders." in a shorter sense: i use cbt in order to "change" the way somebody thinks.

things that are apart of cbt therapy (and can be incorporated in other forms of therapy) include cognitive distortions, grounding techniques, actively engaging in combatting their automatic negative thoughts (ant's), and encompassing pct and mi in order for the patient to understand why they need to change their thoughts / actions, how they can change them, and the results of changing them. this will go more in depth in my sud post!

patient centered therapy (pct):

pct isn't necessarily for everybody, as many patients may have difficulty even coming up with what their issues are or potential solutions. but by utilizing pct, counselors may be able to support a patient to an "answer" or realization without giving them the answer - i find it beneficial to voice my issues and concerns so i'm able to form my own solution even without my friends saying anything! it's very limited involvement from the counselor as far as "telling them" what's wrong and giving them "choices" to fix it.

"during person-centered therapy, a therapist acts as a compassionate facilitator, listening without judgment and acknowledging the client’s experience without shifting the conversation in another direction. the therapist is there to encourage and support the client without interrupting or interfering with their process of self-discovery, as they uncover what hurts and what is needed to repair it."

pct is really important, in my opinion, because it allows patient the autonomy to make decisions for themselves, while also giving them support. a counselor is supposed to help, not be a brick wall, so as much as the patient is allowed to freely roam through their thoughts and feelings, i've found a nice balance between pct and cbt when the patient may not have a specific answer or understanding for themselves.

motivational interviewing (mi):

"mi is a guiding style of communication, that sits between following (good listening) and directing (giving information and advice). it's designed to empower people to change by drawing out their own meaning, importance and capacity for change. mi is based on a respectful and curious way of being with people that facilitates the natural process of change and honors client autonomy."

when i speak about "guiding" a patient to a different way of thought, or to a "solution", mi is what i'm talking about. my entire approach to counseling is not to give them the answer, because many times they may know the "right" thing to do (stay away from drugs - duh, not explode in anger, not cut people off, etc.) but allowing them this space to speak freely so i can ask them questions for clarification, let them know somebody is listening to them, and building up that therapeutic relationship is the entire point for me.

mi is where the trifecta of these modalities lays. i can utilize cbt in an effort to change their mindset or offer new ideas or "reasons" why they may think / act like that, as well as incorporating pct so that they can come to the realization themselves! it's all about balance and which modality is right for that exact moment, for that patient. it also allows me to be entirely present in the conversation. i often find myself dissociating in my day-to-day life, as many people do, but by using mi, i have to listen in order to ask questions or repeat what they said back to them. it's beneficial to all!

the end:

thank you so much for reading this! i know this was just the basics, but if you want to write a character who's a therapist or who's going to one, i hope this helps beef up that background for you! again, this is specific to me and my sud field, and there's a million other certifications and licenses for general counselors.

substance use disorder counseling post. (will update when post is done).

[mrkhan6602]

Best Career discovery support

https://www.careernaksha.com/career-counselling/canada

[aviationcareer]

How to Become a Pilot After 10th

It is a fascinating decision to become a pilot after Class 10th. In the sky are numerous adventures that many only dream of. If after completing the 10th class you find yourself staring at the sky and dreaming of flying high above the clouds then this blog will help you start your adventure. This article will assist you in accelerating your flying career and includes all the necessary procedures, from learning the fundamentals to selecting the best flying school. After completing the tenth Class, you will get all the information needed to begin your pilot training.

Read More Blog

[amaleosh]

The Ultimate Guide to Cyber Security Training in India 2025

Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world today. Everything is bound to the internet today, from banking to purchases, learning, and even medical care. As more businesses and people get online, the need to secure information from hackers is becoming an extremely big issue. This is where cyber security comes in and is hence considered one of the fastest-growing fields nowadays.

If you alternatively find yourself in love with tech and would like to develop an interesting career that is in demand, and very rewarding, then cyber security could be just the thing for you. And what is even better is that India has some really good training programs and courses that can help you get a foothold.

In this article, we have gathered all the top cyber security courses in India, with fresh content, practical training, and important certifications. These can serve as an ideal grounding for anyone who is a total beginner, a student, or someone looking to start afresh in the field of cyber security and ethical hacking.

Some of the most popular topics included are:

Basic networking and operating system

Ethical hacking and penetration testing

Malware analysis and secure coding

Cloud security and cyber law

Hands-on project and internship experience

Interestingly, major courses are available online as well as offline. Based on your preference, you can either go for a few months' short-term study or a diploma or degree program. The best training institutions such as IITs, and NIIT, and a private academy such as Appin, Koenig, and Indian Cyber Security Solutions provide excellent learning options.

Choosing A Course: It is very important, but 'learning regularly and practising what you learn' is equally important. Some of these institutes also help with job placements or internships, which is an added perk for the freshers.

If you're serious about building a future-proof career in technology and want to safeguard the companies and individuals on the Internet, you should reach for these top cyber security courses in India.

[careerplanb]

PCM students have diverse career paths available based on their interests and skills. To explore these careers in detail, check out our full guide: Top Job Opportunities for PCM Students After 12th

[rentezgg]

How do I Apply for an Internship in Dubai as an International student?

Are you even trying to set up your career in Dubai? Whether it is in the hospitality field, hotel management internship in Dubai, or overlooking the field of finance, technology, banking, and much more. However, when we are talking about career, one factor increasingly supports making your work much more responsive, experienced, and exposed to a diverse workplace. Then, at that time, all you need is a source of the right internship in Dubai, where you can make the correct space for your career, defining how you can make your personal and professional growth and stable finances both advantageous at the right time. 

Therefore, when it comes to understanding how an opportunity can balance your work culture and life with the right and better understanding of the global business, then this blog is for you where you can make your career much more interestingly focused from all sorts of corners of the world while doing an internship in Dubai.

Learn To Make Your Career Defined in Dubai?

With this blog, we aim to focus on how you can make your journey of earning money and attaining the necessary knowledge for your career. With the help of the right internship, one can eternally be more focused on enhancing your career much more well-defined and improved. Giving your line of field or interest is the right source of functioning where you can define your career with some predefined functioning set. To enhance the proper and suitable set of career lines, making it much more focused and well-enlightened, you must focus on looking for the right space that gives off the energy of your dreams and goals. 

Therefore, now let us know how you can define your career in the best organization in Dubai, setting the pace for your career, and offering the best set of functions in the making of your career—offering the right path for its perfect orientation. 

So, now, when it comes to understanding how an internship in Dubai can increasingly charge the best route for your career:

Provides a space for networking—Dubai is one such place in the world that offers an engaging space for interns. Offering the right space for your career allows freshers to focus on enriching their careers by giving students or aspirants a chance to meet some of the finest quality top leaders in the world, making it possible for students to learn while networking with the hyper-global community. 

A gateway to Entrepreneurship—With the help of an internship in Dubai, an aspirant can get the chance to focus on looking out for power-packed start-ups and various other industrial experiences. This accelerates the first-hand experience for the students to learn and scale from a tax-friendly and innovation-driven environment. 

Embrace Your Resume with a Prestigious Brand, whether it be a multinational space, a government entity, or any other sort of firm in Dubai. All tend to provide you not just with the experience you want but also offer an engaging chance to focus on boosting your resume in a competitive and global market!!

Chance To Secure Your Career—With so many top companies in Dubai, they do not just offer internships in Dubai but also offer the engaging chance to focus on making your career highly successful and secured with the city’s high-end talent offering in a much better and better fast track for your career. Your polished skills and experience in the work will also help in defining and attaining the best sort of job security in Dubai.

Master The Finest Cultural Intelligence—Dubai not only offers engaging benefits for your internship but also offers an exciting chance for the interns to focus on making their careers much more culturally adaptable and aware of this invaluable trait in today’s global job market!! 

Work with Some Skilled Team - With Dubai being so forward in the development stage, it calls for an unhindered list of skilled teammates, offering a much more adaptable and culturally aware diverse team. 

So, it is these generous reasons that offer you some engaging benefits, responsible enough to make your career coated with an enriching set of experience and skills working together. Infatuating some engaging and beneficial functioning sources, helping in the smooth and diversified team initially sourcing the right internship in Dubai. 

Now, let us know how you can make your internship in Dubai an engaging option for your career, helping to ensure a smooth and efficient start to your career as an international student. 

How To Find The Perfect Internship in Dubai?

When it comes to defining the perfect internship in Dubai, it must be something that defies the perfect combination of skills and experience, making your career defined with the institution in Dubai. 

So, let us know about some steps that will help you slide into the right internship in Dubai:

Identity Your Field of Interest 

You need to look out for your set of fields of interest. In these, you can engagely focus on ensuring that you are more focused on one particular field of art where you can shine the best. 

Focus on Your Skills 

Once you are clear on your field of interest, you must focus on finding the right focus on 

your skills. You must give off energy on understanding and coming across the finest quality of the skills, be it technical, communicative, or some other sort of focus.

Contact Edu Brain 

You must focus on looking for the right internship in Dubai. For this, you can contact Edu Brain, an online space that offers the finest quality internships in Dubai. This makes it an efficient source of boosting your career, which deserves the best. 

Prepare For an Online Interview 

With edu brain, you can get the opportunity to give an online interview based on your resume, skill set, and experience, offering the chance to make your source much more responsive and impressive.

So, after a good and impressive interview session, you can come across the finest quality internship in Dubai, giving an international student the finest chance to enhance their source of functioning. 

Conclusion 

With the help of the internship in Dubai, you can make your career path much more advanced and aligned with the best skills and experience for your job, making it more focused and enhanced. This can be increasingly beneficial with the help of the Edu Brain, which focuses on giving you the best as an international student. 

FAQs

How To Apply for an Internship in Dubai?

With the help of Edu Brain, you can find the finest quality internship in Dubai. Offered in the best skill set and functioning to kickstart your career with the proper and efficient quality of internship. So, when looking for the correct and efficient internship in Dubai, then at that time, research and internship application in Dubai is essential. 

Can Indian Students Get Internships in Dubai?

Indian students can also obtain a paid work experience through internships in Dubai, making your career embraced with a rare opportunity for your professional growth and stable finances. 

Also Know More about 👍

How can I apply for an Internship in Dubai?

[votermood]

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जानिए राजनीतिक सलाहकार कैसे बनें ?

क्या आप राजनीति में रुचि रखते हैं और एक प्रभावी राजनीतिक सलाहकार बनना चाहते हैं? यह जानने के लिए हमारी गाइड पढ़ें कि कैसे सही कदम उठाकर आप एक सफल राजनीतिक सलाहकार बन सकते हैं। जानें कि आवश्यक कौशल, शिक्षा और अनुभव क्या हैं, और किस प्रकार की रणनीतियों का उपयोग करके आप अपने कैरियर में उन्नति कर सकते हैं। आज ही शुरुआत करें और अपनी राजनैतिक यात्रा को एक नया मोड़ दें!

[hrihsiblogbuddhi-trendingblogs]

Unlock Your Career Path: How to Become a Genetic Counselor

Are you fascinated by genetics and love helping others? Dive into the exciting world of Genetic Counseling! Our guide is your roadmap to becoming a Genetic Counselor, packed with all the information you need to get started on this fulfilling journey.

Imagine being able to guide individuals and families through complex genetic information, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health. That's exactly what you'll do as a Genetic Counselor, and our guide will help you every step of the way.

From choosing the right educational path to gaining hands-on experience through internships, we've got you covered. Our goal is to make this process as smooth as possible for you, so you can focus on honing your skills and making a difference in people's lives.

We'll walk you through the certification process and show you the diverse career opportunities available in this field. Whether you see yourself working in a hospital, clinic, or even starting your own practice, the possibilities are endless.

So, are you ready to unlock your career potential and embark on a journey that's both rewarding and impactful? Follow our guide and take the first step towards becoming a Genetic Counselor today!

[linchet]

Stay Positive of career advice that can be valuable

Maintaining a positive mindset helps you achieve career success, even when facing setbacks and challenges. Some tips include:

Read: https://advice.jobbg.com/top-15-career-advice-that-can-be-valuable/

Top 15 Career Advice that Can Be Valuable

Focus on the aspects of work you can control rather than external factors.

Reframe situations positively and remain hopeful about future outcomes.

Surround yourself with encouraging, optimistic people who believe in you.

Identify lessons learned from failures and find the silver linings.

Celebrate small wins and give yourself credit for progress made.

Express gratitude regularly for what is going right and the opportunities available.

Take care of your physical and mental wellbeing to boost resilience.

Develop confidence in your abilities so challenges feel surmountable.

Share positivity with colleagues by giving compliments and encouragement.

Staying positive generates motivation, enhances resilience when faced with obstacles, and inspires those around you. A constructive outlook empowers you to envision the possibilities and excel.

[mrkhan6602]

Best career guidance

https://www.careernaksha.com/career-counselling/canada

[aviationcareer]

Cadet vs Conventional Pilot Training in India: Which Path Is Right for You?

Have you always dreamed of flying high in the skies and becoming a commercial pilot? 🚀 Well, you’re not alone! India is seeing a huge rise in students opting for pilot training, but one common question that every aspiring aviator asks is:

“Should I go for Cadet Pilot Training or Conventional Pilot Training?”

To help you out, we’ve explored both options in-depth by referencing this detailed guide from TopCrew Aviation. 👇

🛫 What Is Cadet Pilot Training?

Cadet pilot programs are airline-sponsored training pathways where you are trained from scratch according to the airline’s standards.

✅ Key Benefits:

Direct placement with partner airlines after successful training Well-structured syllabus and consistent mentorship Smooth transition from training to the cockpit Preferred by those seeking job security ⚠️ Things to Consider:

Usually more expensive than conventional training Higher upfront investment (₹45-₹80 lakhs) Selection process is competitive and strict

✈️ What Is Conventional Pilot Training?

This is the independent route where you join a flying school, earn your licenses, and then apply to airlines.

✅ Key Benefits: More freedom to choose flying school and schedule Costs less than cadet programs (approx. ₹30-₹55 lakhs) Useful for those who want flexibility ⚠️ Things to Consider: No guaranteed job placement You have to manage exams, interviews, and type-rating on your own

💭 So, Which One Should You Choose?

It all depends on your career goals, financial planning, and risk tolerance.

Go Cadet if you want a direct airline pathway and can afford the investment.

Choose Conventional if you want flexibility and a budget-friendly option.

Both routes lead to the same cockpit seat — it’s just a matter of how you want to get there.

📌 Final Thoughts

Before choosing a path, do your homework, consult mentors, visit training schools, and ask questions. If you're still unsure, read the full breakdown from TopCrew Aviation here

[top-b-schools-kolkata]

Welcome to the dynamic and evolving world of operations management! As we step into 2024, the landscape of this field is more thrilling than ever. At the Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS), we understand the pulse of this industry and are here to guide aspiring operations managers on this exciting journey.