We may think of psychology as somewhat of a contemporary science founded in the 19th century. We may be partly right. The discipline saw its seeds sown somewhere around that time, but the essence of some principles go as far back as Aristotle’s time. One of the main psychological principles is that of catharsis. Aristotle was known to invoke cathartic relief through an early art form known as psychodrama. The reason why we are mentioning the past, that to thousands of years ago, is to draw a comparison to psychology as we know it today.
Though we have seen the field grow over the last three centuries, its actual exposure and development came in the 21st century. With global liberal movements focused on promoting mental health, psychology as a field has made the leaps and bounds it initially set out to achieve. With the area growing annually, more and more professionals now look to enter the field to advance the potential career growth.
Counseling is one of the most upcoming career options for psychology enthusiasts looking to practice and help people. Students are pouring into psychology degrees more than ever. Millions of them worldwide are looking to take up counseling as a profession. If you are one of those people but still haven’t made up your mind, here are a few reasons to consider counseling as a career.
1. Becoming a Counselor is Easier Than Ever
After the pandemic, the face of education around the world changed. Now more than ever, online education is taking over and bringing massive amounts of change to the academic system as we know it. The field of psychology benefits from this, but every other discipline has taken advantage of the technology-based teaching method.
With the ease of access to education, now would be a great time to pursue a counseling career. If the time has been an issue that has held you back, now you can take advantage of the online solution and pursue your education. It would be a great time to pursue an online master’s in counseling. Because most people even manage to hold down a job while studying online and achieving their higher education.
2. You Get to Help People
Millions of people worldwide are silently suffering from poor mental health conditions. They could manifest in the form of depression, anxiety, or other related illnesses. Because of the social stigma revolving around mental illnesses, many people never sought treatment for fear of being judged or labeled.
With times changing and stigma breaking, now would be the time for you to come forward as a counselor and help these people break free from the chains of mental illness. Counselors play a significant role in alleviating symptoms and ultimately changing a client’s life with effective personal treatment. If you have a passion for helping people, counseling might be the career for you!
3. There is Foreseeable Career Growth
Because the stigma around mental illness is slowly breaking every year, people are more receptive to search for help on mental health issues. Modern times have changed the way the average individual thinks; therefore, many career options have sprung up and changed society as we know it.
Psychology is one such field that is making a change to society as a whole. Mental health promotion means that more people are taking an interest in the subject, and therefore the sector is growing. Suppose you are looking to enter the industry now. There is a strong chance that you will see a considerable amount of career growth in the future and still have a diversity of choices related to where you want to work!
4. Personal Benefits
After all those years of studying, surely one would learn a thing or two about managing their moods and emotions, right? Exploring Carl Rogers, Fritz Perls, and Albert Ellis gives oneself better insight into dealing with their mental struggles and overcoming them. Your education isn’t just limited to helping others and starting a career for yourself. Millions of psych majors find solutions to their issues after studying the subject.
Indeed no one voluntarily enters the field to sort out their mental mess; the personal benefits are merely byproducts of the career.
It would be ironic if a counselor saw clients every day and didn’t have their own lives in order. It would be like the proverb from the Bible about pointing out the log in your brother’s eye while having not removed it from your own.
5. Flexible Hours
Counselors don’t usually sit at the clinic from nine to five, as with most other careers. Fairly often, they have completely free days, and there aren’t any appointments. However, sometimes days can be so busy that they spend more than eight hours at the clinic tending to various clients.
Either way, you can see how there is a considerable amount of flexibility with the working hours. Counselors are known to work several jobs rather than practicing solely as counselors. They may teach alongside, provide consultancy or provide the same therapy but in various places.
Conclusion
As the field grows, the role of counselors and therapists becomes more critical. Though people ridiculed the field in the past and mocked its members, now we see how vital the area is. Counseling can be one of the most rewarding careers for you to choose. The sheer intensity of sessions can be revitalizing. Seeing your clients recover from debilitating conditions can make you feel like your efforts are worth it.
