Becoming a relationship counselor requires a master’s degree, supervised practice, and passing a licensing exam. Undergraduates in psychology, sociology, or counseling can prepare for this career with general psychology courses and additional skills training. After completing college, a new counselor can work with clients under supervision before taking a licensing exam and pursuing further experience and education to start their own practice.
Relationship counselors talk with couples and families to help them understand and overcome interpersonal issues. Practitioners rely on their expert knowledge of established psychotherapy techniques to facilitate better communication, behaviors, and understanding in client relationships. A person who wants to become a relationship counselor usually needs to earn at least a master’s degree in counseling, complete one to two years of supervised practice, and pass a licensing exam. With the proper training and license, a relationship counselor is qualified to work in private practices, mental health clinics, and government family service agencies.
An individual who believes he or she wants to become a relationship counselor can apply to a four-year bachelor’s program in psychology, sociology, or counseling. As an undergraduate student, the student takes several general psychology courses to gain a basic understanding of the history and fundamentals of the subject. Additional courses in statistics, biology, computer science, and communications provide an aspiring relationship counselor with the skills needed to succeed in an eventual relationship counselor career.
Toward the end of a bachelor’s degree program, a student who wants to become a relationship counselor can begin studying master’s programs at accredited universities. Some schools offer degrees specifically in marriage and family counseling, although a graduate student may also benefit from a general counseling program if specialized instruction is not available. Most master’s programs take two to three years to complete and include classroom instruction and a practical internship at a local mental health clinic. Interning is an important aspect of a degree plan as it allows an individual to experience the day-to-day activities and responsibilities of a relationship counselor.
After completing college, an individual can apply for another internship or entry-level position. In most situations, a new counselor can work directly with clients, under the supervision and guidance of a more experienced professional. The amount of time a person must spend under supervision varies between regions, but most new professionals can expect to work for one to two years before having the opportunity to practice independently.
An individual who successfully completes the training can take a regional licensing exam to officially become a relationship counselor. Licensing exams are usually computer-based tests that feature multiple-choice and essay questions about local laws, confidentiality standards, client assessment skills, and standard procedures. After passing the test, the counselor can start a career in different professional contexts. A person who wants to become a relationship counselor in their own practice will often need to gain several years of experience in the field and pursue continuing education to prepare for the additional administrative tasks of running an independent business.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
