What’s Trending for Students, Graduates, New Professionals and Their Career in the Counseling Profession Presented by: Danielle A. Irving, MA American Counseling Association Senior Coordinator Professional Projects & Career Services

Purpose Advocate, raise awareness, and provide information to licensing professionals and affiliate organization members about the career-related concerns expressed by ACA members Top 10 career-related concerns received from GSNP by ACA How does it effect us? The profession?

Top 10 Career-Related Inquiries Identity Crisis CACREP Requirement Dept. of Veteran Affairs NCE/NCMHCE Portability and Reciprocity Practicum/Internship Opportunities Loan Forgiveness Mentorship Career Assistance Finding a meaningful position

#1 IDENTITY CRISIS Since our inception as a profession and a professional association, we have never had a clear and concise definition of counseling (Linde, 2010). Professional counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. Counselors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing.

#2 CACREP REQUIREMENT CACREP required for state licensure – Ohio – Petition in VA filed by Gerald Lawson (6/18/14) NBCC – NCC CACREP requirement TRICARE Thoughts from audience??

#3 Department of Veteran Affairs Education: Hold a master’s degree in mental health counseling, or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs(CACREP).

#4 NCE/NCMHCE National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE) – Used for state licensure National Counselor Examination (NCE) – Used for NCC (certification) and state licensure Exam Requirements differ state-by-state – Ex.: Hawaii, District of Columbia, Florida, New York, Colorado, and Kansas

#5 Portability and Reciprocity Licensure requirements differ state-by-state Requirements include: Education Supervised clinical hours Titles for licensure Test examinations

#6 Practicum/Internship Opportunities Lack of site placement and resources – Online Programs Available lists/database ACA membership benefits – Personalized searches

#7 Loan Forgiveness National Health Service Corps Mental Health Loan Assumption Program Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program ublic-service-loan-forgiveness.pdf ublic-service-loan-forgiveness.pdf

#8 Mentorship ACA mentoring program Mentor/Mentee requirements Matching process Supervision Benefits & Success

#9 Career Assistance ACA Career Services offered: – Career Consultations – Resume/Cover letter critique – Mock interviews – Job search assistance

#10 Finding a meaningful position Manage Expectations Job Market Relocation Job search (Mental Health, Social Services, Health, State, County, City, Hospitals, Drug and Alcohol Recovery Centers, Psychiatric Hospitals, etc.) ACA Fierce List of Counseling Jobs ACA Annual Conference Career Center

References Linde, L. (2010). Counseling is... Counseling Today, 52(11). Retrieved from Today/May2010CTOnline.pdf Today/May2010CTOnline.pdf Licensure requirements for Professional Counselors: A State-by-State Report, 2014 Edition. ACA Office of Professional Affairs.

Contact information Danielle A. Irving, MA Senior Coordinator Professional Projects & Career Services American Counseling Association 6101 Stevenson Avenue, Ste. 600 Alexandria, VA (703) x211

Any Questions?