Possible Career Choices

In a nutshell, mental health therapy entails intensive services designed to assist individuals suffering from neurological disorders. In other words, the purpose of mental therapy is to help people who have cognitive impairments improve the social and analytical abilities they need to survive (Shapiro, Kirk and Gina 105). Marriage therapy involves assisting partners in resolving marital problems in order to repair their relationship (Super). Social service, on the other hand, consists of programs that assist individuals or groups in using services available to them in order to better their lives (Stoesz 104). As a result, the three professions revolve around the idea of overcoming snags in people’s lives. However, social work is different because social workers are not counselors. Licensed therapists do Both, mental and marriage counseling. Specifically, social workers training is different from mental and marriage therapy. Consequently, this paper will create an outline of the training, job prospects, working conditions and the suitability to personal personality.

Career Choices

A career choice should come from within and not influenced by external factors such as societal serotypes. In Lab Girl Jahren’s choice of becoming a female scientist was not influenced by her society. In fact, the community always misunderstood for being a scientist. Jahren became a scientist because she was not good listening. Jahren said that ‘I became a scientist because I was not good at listening.’ Mental rehabilitation, social work, and marriage counseling were chosen because they are one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States (Super). For example, David who works with National Association of Social Workers (NASW) said that the profession is projected to grow at a rate of 12% for the next ten years. David added that this growth is largest amongst all occupations. An expert from the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that marriage and mental health constitute of more than 170,000 jobs in the United States. The expert said that marriage counseling was going to increase at a rate 0f more than 18% in the next one decade. Careers in social work, meant health and marriage therapy are well paying with an annual salary of between $40-80K in a year (Stoesz 105). Also, the three careers are expected to grow faster due to increased funding from the federal government. The government is funding these professions to improve the wellbeing of its citizens. Therefore, the above are excellent career choices for students.

Training

All states in the United States require all mental health practitioners to have a master’s degree in mental health (Shapiro, Kirk and Gina 106). Moreover, it is a requirement in many states that the Council accredits the degree in neurological counseling for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or from an equivalent certification institution. In 2013 CACREP increased the number of semester hours in cognitive health programs from 54 to 60. Primarily, the program must cover areas such as group work techniques, human and career development. After going through the training, a mental health graduate must have knowledge of broad range of psychological medications and application of research in psychological counseling (Shapiro, Kirk and Gina 107).

After successful completion of the training, graduates are required to go through a period of supervised practice. After the supervised training, mental health practitioners are credited by the states. Marriage counseling training is similar to mental health practice because a master’s degree is a requirement for accreditation (Super). Also, marriage counseling programs are accredited by CACREP. However, many institutions do not have an undergraduate degree in marriage psychotherapy. For that reason, students who want to pursue a career in the profession are advised to take courses related to marital therapy. These courses include social and cognitive psychology, sociology and sexuality studies. The bachelor’s degree requires students to go through a program of supervised training (Super).

After enrolling in a master’s degree graduates are supposed to have knowledge of couple therapy, family compositions, adolescent, and family counseling. Essentially, graduates have to complete hours of supervised clinical practice. Moreover, marriage counselors must know how to apply research in marital therapy. The completion of training successfully guarantees accreditation from relevant state authorities. Fundamentally, mental and marriage therapist who wants to further their career can enroll in doctorate programs (Super).

Finally, in social work, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for admission to the lucrative profession. The undergraduate program entails four years in a recognized institution (Stoesz 107). Principally, social work degrees are accredited by relevant authorities. For instance, in Canada, the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) is the institution that accredits the programs. Students are required to complete a session of supervised internship. Also, after graduating, social workers are supposed to have knowledge of human behavior, research methods in social work and social work practice in general. Also, social workers who would like to further their careers can pursue a doctorate program. In most countries, doctorate degrees take a period of 1-2 years (Stoesz 108).

Working Conditions

Social work is an important element in the society because it entails improving people’s lives. The following is a breakdown social workers work environment and conditions. Social workers are employed in various societal institutions such as clinics, schools, community development organizations, child welfare and humanitarian services agencies. Services in social work are such as assistance to homeless families, disaster management, and services to old people (Stoesz 109). Principally, social workers are full-time employees. However, their job is demanding such that sometimes they will be required to work at night and during the weekends.

Also, social workers spend most of their time in the office environment, but they visit clients when the need arises. For example, a social worker frequently visits client’s home to assess whether they are suitable for raising children. In the United States, most employers offer social workers with development training. The wages of social workers range from $40k-75k per month (Shapiro, Kirk and Gina 109). Mental health practitioners are positioned in various institutions such as hospitals, mental health clinics, addiction rehabilitation centers and private practice facilities. Therapists work for 40 hours in a week, but they may be required to work at night and during the evening depending on the case t hand. For instance, mental health counselors work at night to provide services to the clients who work at night. Finally, rehabilitation counselors are based in offices (Shapiro, Kirk and Gina 110).

Working conditions of marriage therapists are similar to the ones of mental health counseling. The conditions are similar because marital counselors are full-time employees, work for 40 hours in a week, but they may be required to work at night to deal with clients who are employed. Also, relationship therapist works in institutions such as private entities, mental health centers, hospitals and nursing care centers. Also, marriage counselors might be required to visit their clients if the need arises (Super).

Suitability of the Careers

Social work, mental and marriage counseling are careers that are centered on improving people’s wellbeing. In other words, the three jobs entail working with individuals with the aim of improving their skill and capabilities. Therefore, these careers are unique professions with deep meaning and power to make a difference in the society. For that reason, people pursuing these careers are satisfied with their career paths. For example, social worker in Arizona said that there is nothing that makes him happier than restoring people lives and standing up for social justice. Marriage and mental health counselors have always done their jobs with pride because they involve restoring client’s emotional well-being. Therefore, these careers are not well paying but also challenging and teach professional to be better people

Conclusion

In the light of the above facts, we can conclude that a career choice should come with within. Individuals who have an interest in social services should consider careers in mental health counseling, social work, and marriage therapy. These career choices are lucrative and are expected to show significant growth in the foreseeable future. Professionals in these careers are full-time employees; they work for forty hours in a week, but sometimes they are required to work overtime depending on the case. Professional training is needed for anyone who wants to pursue these careers. In this case, mental and marriage therapist are supposed to have a master’s degree for accreditation by the relevant authorities. Social workers, on the other hand, are expected to have bachelor’s degree in social work. The jobs are well paying and professional have a unique attachment to them.

Work Cited

Shapiro, Shauna L, Kirk W. Brown, and Gina M. Biegel. “Teaching Self-Care to Caregivers: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Mental Health of Therapists in Training.” Training and Education in Professional Psychology. 1.2 (2007): 105-115. Print.

Stoesz, D, and H.J Karger. “Reinventing Social Work Accreditation.” Research on Social Work Practice. 19.1 (2009): 104-111. Print.

Super, Donald E. “Assessment in Career Guidance: Toward Truly Developmental Counseling.” Personnel and Guidance Journal. 61.9 (1983): 555-62. Print.