Whats Trending for Students Graduates New Professionals and

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) http: //townhall. virginia. gov/L/View. Petition. cfm? petitionid=210 • NBCC – NCC CACREP requirement http: //www. nbcc. org/assets/Change-announcement-flyer_2014. pdf • 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 http: //nhsc. hrsa. gov/loanrepayment/ • Mental Health Loan Assumption Program http: //www. oshpd. ca. gov/HPEF/MHLAP. html • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program https: //studentaid. ed. gov/sites/default/files/p 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 http: //www. counseling. org/resources/library/Counseling Today/May 2010 CTOnline. 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 22304 dirving@counseling. org (703) 823 -9800 x 211

Any Questions?