Family life consultants help families adapt to changes and deal with various situations, such as substance abuse, loss, or disability. They conduct workshops, assess family needs, and make referrals to other professionals. Training in social work or psychology is common, but experience in outreach programs may also be valuable.
A family life consultant helps families deal with recent changes and adapt to new situations. Consultants can work with a variety of different family situations, including those dealing with substance abuse, a recent loss, a family member with a disability, or the return of a family member after a period of absence. Hospitals and military bases often hire a family life consultant to help families who need to adapt to new family dynamics.
Before choosing a family life consultant career, most people work as social workers, psychologists or in other areas of mental health care. With training and experience in family counseling, a family consultant may choose to start their own counseling business or apply for employment with an agency that provides family living services. Whether working as an independent consultant or employed by a larger agency, a family consultant’s goal is always to help guide clients in creating a healthy family life.
Job descriptions vary, but some of the more common and specific tasks of a family life consultant include conducting classes and workshops on parenting children at various stages of life, creating family activities that promote cohesion and communication, and meeting with family members to discuss private matters family concerns. A family life consultant also assesses a family’s needs and makes referrals to other professionals for support services when this is deemed necessary. Consultants who work with military families often work to help families adjust to a service member who is away from the family while on active duty, as well as helping soldiers reintegrate with the family upon returning home. However, consultants working in hospitals may have a different job description. For example, a family life consultant working in a hospital may be responsible for helping families adjust to a family member’s recent disability or simply providing information about resources available to families with one or more members with disabilities.
While many people become family life consultants after training in social work or psychology, not all do. Some may have limited training in education or behavioral sciences but have significant experience working in outreach programs that benefit families. While this is not formal training for family life consultants, some employers will hire a new consultant for this type of work if an individual has experience speaking in front of groups, offering supportive resources, and communicating well with others.
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