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Job outlook for counseling specialists in the United States
Are counseling specialist jobs in demand?
Counseling specialist job and salary trends over time
Counseling specialist jobs over time
Counseling specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 936 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 923 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 937 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 902 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 857 | 0.00% |
Average counseling specialist salary over time
Counseling specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,061 | $21.18 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $43,243 | $20.79 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $42,689 | $20.52 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $42,007 | $20.20 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $41,363 | $19.89 | +1.7% |
Counseling specialist jobs by state
Most common states for counseling specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 410 | 6% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 44 | 6% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 51 | 4% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 30 | 4% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 202 | 3% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 30 | 3% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 30 | 3% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 224 | 2% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 143 | 2% |
| 10 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 134 | 2% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 121 | 2% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 92 | 2% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 71 | 2% |
| 14 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 45 | 2% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 44 | 2% |
| 16 | Delaware | 961,939 | 24 | 2% |
| 17 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 24 | 2% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 20 | 2% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 14 | 2% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 13 | 2% |
Most common cities for counseling specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $35,884 |
| 2 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $33,476 |
Counseling Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of counseling specialist experts
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Assumption University
Montana State University
Bethel University
Lancaster Bible College
Maryville University
University of Lynchburg
University of Lynchburg
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
California State University - Fresno
The University of Findlay
Idaho State University
Carolina Christian College
Kentucky Christian University
Missouri Sate
University of Alabama
Montana State University – Bozeman
Neumann University
What Counseling Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Digital Literacy and Teletherapy Skills: With the continued integration of technology in mental health care, counselors will need to enhance their proficiency in digital platforms and teletherapy modalities. This includes utilizing secure video conferencing tools, managing electronic health records (EHR), and maintaining ethical standards in online therapy settings. Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness: As awareness of cultural diversity and social justice issues grows, counselors must deepen their understanding of intersectionality and cultural humility. Competence in working with diverse populations and addressing systemic barriers to mental health care will from an antiracism lens will be essential for providing inclusive and culturally responsive services. Trauma-Informed Care: Given the prevalence of trauma and its impact on mental health, counselors will need to adopt trauma-informed approaches across various settings. This includes recognizing the signs of trauma, creating safe environments for disclosure, and integrating trauma-sensitive interventions into counseling practice. Resilience-Building and Positive Psychology: In addition to addressing mental health challenges, there will be a greater emphasis on promoting resilience and well-being. Counselors will incorporate positive psychology principles, such as strengths-based interventions and mindfulness techniques, to empower clients and enhance their coping skills. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Care: With the recognition of the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, counselors will collaborate more closely with other healthcare professionals in integrated care settings. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams will be essential for providing holistic and comprehensive care to clients. Data Literacy and Outcome Measurement: Increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice and outcome measurement will require counselors to develop skills in data collection, analysis, and outcome evaluation. Ethical Decision-Making in Complex Situations: As counseling scenarios become increasingly complex, counselors will face ethical dilemmas that require nuanced decision-making. Strengthening skills in ethical reasoning, consultation, and ethical sensitivity will enable counselors to navigate challenging ethical issues with integrity and professionalism.
What will help Counseling Specialists increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Counseling Specialists?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
Susan Scully-Hill Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies and Director of the School Counseling program at Assumption UniversityAssumption University
Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counseling Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Susan Scully-Hill Ph.D.: What I am seeing now is that schools are increasing the number of "school support personnel" by hiring additional school counselors, school adjustment counselors, learning coaches, student engagement officers, instructional aides, and para-professionals. Student engagement in remote learning is, overall, very low and schools are seeing more students failing multiple subjects than they have ever before. Currently schools are working hard to increase student engagement and academic outcomes by increasing support personnel. I think this trend will continue even as students transition back to in-person learning. Transitioning back to in- person learning will create challenges for many students-not just academic challenges but social, and emotional as well. Making up for lost classroom and learning time will be a priority and therefore additional school personnel will be required.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Counseling Specialists?
Edward Dunbar: Yes. Prior to this pandemic our graduates had little to no training in telehealth (distance-based counseling), and there was a steep learning curve for people who graduated and entered the field prior to the pandemic. For our current students, we have been able to assist them with developing the skills for multiple modes of counseling (telehealth, in person counseling, etc.). Additionally, the increase in mental health issues, addiction issues, domestic violence, and unemployment will affect our graduating students for years. They will need to be well-versed in treating higher acuity issues and helping clients from low SES. The pandemic has also highlighted the social systems and systemic injustice/racism which has made our students look more closely at the role of power/privilege and oppression in addictions and mental health counseling.
What type of skills will young Counseling Specialists need?
Edward Dunbar: Additionally, new graduates will need knowledge and skills in telehealth, integrative care and medicine, trauma, and case management. Whereas prior to the pandemic students had limited knowledge of the importance of client case management, the pandemic has required students to learn about community resources and helping clients with concrete short term goals.
What experience really stands out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Edward Dunbar: Crisis counseling, suicide prevention training, and case management
What experience really stands out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Dr. Amy Evans: What tends to stand out for applicants is often a variety of experiences. Showing one's experience with both group and individual counseling as well as any crisis intervention work helps to highlight skills the counselor may have developed. Volunteer experience that shows the passion a counselor might have for advocacy is also helpful. Carefully crafted resumes that show one's fit for the particular job is always important!
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Counseling Specialists?
Dr. Amy Evans: The pandemic certainly will have lasting impact on graduates in counseling, as we will see shifting expectations related to training and experience with telemental health for all counselors. Additionally, there is the impact on mental health of so many because of the pandemic across the world, including grief and loss, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug concerns, as well as many other mental health concerns individuals may be experiencing. There continues to be a strong and growing need for counselors! Mental health counseling will continue to see growth in relation to job prospects for many years to come.
What type of skills will young Counseling Specialists need?
Dr. Amy Evans: Graduates in counseling will find experience with telemental health as well as diversity as highly important for counselors entering the field. If an individual does not have specific experience working with those different than them, showing additional training in diversity and multicultural competence shows the desire to learn!
Grace Palmisano
Lancaster Bible College
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counseling Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Grace Palmisano: Since the pandemic started, mental health concerns have skyrocketed as the pandemic disrupted the regularity of peoples' social and work lives. There is an increase of depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, addictions, and sadly suicides during the pandemic as people encounter loneliness, social isolation/distancing, loss of loved ones, unemployment, financial struggles, etc. Because of this, more people are seeking mental health services to help them cope through this pandemic.
So job opportunities in the mental health field will steadily increase as the need for mental health services have increased, even for therapists themselves. It is a strange time for therapists to also share similar experiences and stresses as the client when it comes to the pandemic. Because of that, there is additional stress for therapists to care for their own mental health needs while supporting their clients'. The complications are that most mental health positions do require formal education and training, which can slow the process down. Nevertheless, there are training opportunities in communities that seek to provide first-aid mental health training to the community just to be informed and even just know the "basics."
What skills stand out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Grace Palmisano: For those seeking mental health fields, skills that stand out on resumes: possess strong self-awareness and emotional stability, critical thinking, interpersonal/relational skills, communication skills, problem-solving, creativity, and genuine interest and concern for humanity. Some of these skills can be developed, but other skills are a "must-have" even before entering into the field of mental health as one is working with all kinds of people. Carl Rogers shares that counselors ought to possess and demonstrate qualities of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruency. These are essential ingredients that make a therapist effective in the field and helps build therapeutic alliance. More importantly what clients innately want in therapy is not just a "clinical expert" but a human being who relates and understands them as a human person.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counseling Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Michael Kiener Ph.D.: The pandemic accelerated the use of telehealth services. Rehabilitation counselors with advanced technology skills as well as knowledge of ethical and legal issues regarding telehealth will have an advantage in the job market. Supervisors that have a skill set to onboard and mentor employees virtually will also have an advantage. Agencies that provide crisis counseling may also experience an increased demand for counselors.
What skills stand out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Michael Kiener Ph.D.: Regardless if you are counseling in person or virtually effective professionals will need to develop empathetic therapeutic relationships with their clients. Rehabilitation counselors that have experience working with post-traumatic stress and other forms of trauma will be highly valuable. The increased use of working remotely will require individuals to develop new technology skills and rehabilitation counselors who can work independently will be successful. Finally, volunteering, participation in professional organizations, and internships will help make individuals stand out when applying for jobs.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Counseling Specialists to find work opportunities?
Michael Kiener Ph.D.: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there is a need for over 12,000 more rehabilitation counselors nationwide and the growth in the profession is faster than the average of all occupations. The pandemic will only add to this demand. Rehabilitation counselors have the unique scope of practice to provide both mental health and vocational counseling. Areas of the country that experienced high unemployment rates could benefit from rehabilitation counselors helping displaced workers find new employment or transition to new careers. Moreover, rehabilitation counselors could provide mental health counseling to front line workers who have been managing the pandemic since March.
Daniel Hall Ph.D.
Program Director, Assistant Professor of Counselor EducationUniversity of Lynchburg
College of Education, Leadership Studies, & Counseling
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Counseling Specialists?
Daniel Hall Ph.D.: I do believe there will be an enduring impact from the coronavirus - not just on graduates, but on the mental health profession. Graduates will have personal experience with many of the stressors that might bring clients in for counseling services. So, it is my hope that all practitioners moving forward will have increased empathy and understanding that will contribute to their efficacy with clients across a spectrum of concerns.
As a profession, mental health counselors will need to be sure that they have engaged in appropriate self-care to mitigate any of the psychological effects of the pandemic they may be experiencing themselves. And, finally, there has been a huge expansion in the teletronic delivery of mental health services during Covid times. Even as face-to-face counseling becomes more widely available and returns as a viable and available option, electronic services have earned an acceptance that did not exist prior to the pandemic, and that delivery model will continue to be far more prevalent than it was before.
What type of skills will young Counseling Specialists need?
Daniel Hall Ph.D.: As I just mentioned, counselors will now be expected to have skills specific to online delivery of services. The ethical challenge will be that this skill set should be founded upon solid, professional training in teletherapy, not just offering services without related pedagogy, experience, and supervision. Also, because counseling practice will have undergone this "sea change" everyone in the profession will need increased measures of two qualities that were always inherent in the professional practice: flexibility and the ability to cooperate and collaborate both within an agency and across a service community.
What experience really stands out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Daniel Hall Ph.D.: Specificity is an essential highlight that stands out on a resume - particularly as it relates to experience in the field. That means enough detail to clearly articulate professional skills. So, for example, not just a mention of facilitating small groups, but rather the topic of the group, the theoretical approach, etc. And, perhaps more importantly, outcomes. Applicants will really stand out if they can reference engagement in evidence-based best practices and then have data that demonstrates the success they have had in application and facilitation of those practices.
Jeanne Booth Ph.D.
Professor of Counselor Education and the Director of the Center for Family StudiesUniversity of Lynchburg
College of Education, Leadership Studies, and Counseling
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Counseling Specialists?
Jeanne Booth Ph.D.: I do believe there will be an enduring impact from the coronavirus - not just on graduates, but on the mental health profession. Graduates will have personal experience with many of the stressors that might bring clients in for counseling services. So, it is my hope that all practitioners moving forward will have increased empathy and understanding that will contribute to their efficacy with clients across a spectrum of concerns.
As a profession, mental health counselors will need to be sure that they have engaged in appropriate self-care to mitigate any of the psychological effects of the pandemic they may be experiencing themselves. And, finally, there has been a huge expansion in the teletronic delivery of mental health services during Covid times. Even as face-to-face counseling becomes more widely available and returns as a viable and available option, electronic services have earned an acceptance that did not exist prior to the pandemic, and that delivery model will continue to be far more prevalent than it was before.
What type of skills will young Counseling Specialists need?
Jeanne Booth Ph.D.: As I just mentioned, counselors will now be expected to have skills specific to online delivery of services. The ethical challenge will be that this skill set should be founded upon solid, professional training in teletherapy, not just offering services without related pedagogy, experience, and supervision. Also, because counseling practice will have undergone this "sea change" everyone in the profession will need increased measures of two qualities that were always inherent in the professional practice: flexibility and the ability to cooperate and collaborate both within an agency and across a service community.
What experience really stands out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Jeanne Booth Ph.D.: Specificity is an essential highlight that stands out on a resume - particularly as it relates to experience in the field. That means enough detail to clearly articulate professional skills. So, for example, not just a mention of facilitating small groups, but rather the topic of the group, the theoretical approach, etc. And, perhaps more importantly, outcomes. Applicants will really stand out if they can reference engagement in evidence-based best practices and then have data that demonstrates the success they have had in application and facilitation of those practices.
Kim Jones Ph.D.
Professor, Chair of Clinical ConcentrationUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock
School of Social Work
What skills stand out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Kim Jones Ph.D.: The necessary skills for today's market include the ability to implement evidence-informed mental health approaches, the ability to display empathy, knowledge of crisis intervention models, organizational skills, good work ethic, both verbal and written communication skills, cultural competence, and the ability to adapt to changing technology.
Lynette Bartucci
Lynette Bartucci, M.S., CRC, APCC#7835 Clinics Director / Adjunct FacultyCalifornia State University - Fresno
Clinical Rehab Mental Health Counseling Program: CSU, Fresno Foundation- Ticket to Work Employment Network
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counseling Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Lynette Bartucci: In my opinion, the most significant trends we will see in the job market, given the pandemic, are more mental health counseling positions, associates, and licensed professionals. This pandemic was abrupt and unexpected, it leads to job loss. If still working, the concept of working from home, while caregivers also take on educators' role. Within this change includes parental stress, increased conflict, and possibly divorce. The suicide rate has also increased. The emotional and mental health recovery of COVID-19 essentially seeks mental health professionals' assistance shortly, if not right now.
What general advice would you give to a Counseling Specialist?
Lynette Bartucci: General advice includes keeping an open mind and open options for a secondary career change, if needed. At one point, everyone believed that the medical profession was a secure employment field to be in. If this pandemic continues, will we continue to see the trend for medical work? Always seek a job you are passionate about and have something secondary on the side that you also thoroughly enjoy.
What experience really stands out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Dr. Robin Walters: In our field, several things stand out for social workers - first of all, it is essential to have volunteer experience. This indicates that you are willing to go above and beyond in your service to others. This is the hallmark of our profession, and we all are motivated to do this without reward and recognition. Field experience is also essential - our program here requires over 500 hours of field experience during a student's four years with us. This is far beyond our accrediting body needs; however, we see great value in having this as a goal. They have to experience two different placement types; this allows them to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. All of this adds to the value of their degree at the University of Findlay and prepares them for what is beyond the general expectation to have experience going into the field.
How do you envision technology impacting Counseling Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Robin Walters: Considering the current environment, technology has become of the utmost importance for our field. We have had to learn how to exchange old methods for something newer and more flexible. This has been critical in meeting people where they are, which has been a physically different place than we are used to. It will be vital that we have more training in this area on all of the platforms and the ethics that we need to consider when communicating this way.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Counseling Specialists?
Dr. Robin Walters: The graduates have had to learn how to adapt and grow in an environment that has been very unsure and uncomfortable. One of the positives of this is that we have had to model flexibility and a positive outlook, it has been challenging, yet we have had to adjust to survive. These are relatable and transferable skills that are required in the workforce, particularly in the field of social work. One of the difficulties has been learning to be more self-sufficient, ask for help when they are struggling, and in general, trying to balance school in this new environment - again, all of this will be beneficial to them as they move into the professional realm of things.
Logan Lamprecht Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling Clinic DirectorIdaho State University
Counseling Department (ISU Meridian Campus)
How would you rate the starting salaries for Counseling Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Logan Lamprecht Ph.D.: Most beginning counselors will make between $35,000 to $45,000 per year. This number depends on the number of hours a new counselor wants to work and how they might vary their time across different practices. After a professional counselor becomes independently licensed (LCPC), this number can range between $45,000 to $120,000. This depends on their skills, marketability, and advanced practice licensure that the counselor seeks post-graduation.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Counseling Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Logan Lamprecht Ph.D.: Continued training for working in tele-counseling settings and confidential software for tele-counseling sessions seems more and more likely, as the field of counseling continues to adjust to providing care in virtual environments.
What type of skills will young Counseling Specialists need?
Dr. Andrew Wood: For Biblical Studies, it is vital that graduates have a genuine relationship with Jesus, that they are people of humility and integrity, desire to be lifelong learners, and have open minds to new things they learn that may challenge their original assumptions. They need to have a strong work ethic, organizational, and time management skills to work on their own productively and with integrity.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counseling Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Rob O'Lynn: In terms of the ministry job market, it has always been a tricky market to navigate. There are still more candidates than there are positions. Also, over the last couple of decades, the number of full-time jobs in ministry have decreased. Now, many congregations can only afford a part-time minister or rely on a heavy cadre of volunteers. Yet, there are also congregations across the country that are growing -- some at phenomenal rates.
These congregations employ a vast array of full-time and part-time ministers and support staff persons. I think most ministry positions in a post-pandemic society will continue to trend toward positions at mostly smaller congregations, and then primarily part-time. This will require many ministers to seek bi-vocational employment, something that many associates, youth and worship ministers (and academics, like myself) have been relying on for several years.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Counseling Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Rob O'Lynn: Technology has long been a friend to the Church, as everything from the Roman roadways to the Guttenburg printing press to the internet has helped spread the gospel. I do not see this trend going away anytime soon. If the pandemic has taught the Church anything, it is that the Church must adapt to technology. Many ministers are familiar with applications like Sermonary, Evernote, or Notebird. However, we have used those apps for personal preparation. We will need to turn more outward. We have lived in a post-website society for nearly a decade. No website means no traffic. However, Facebook replaced websites a few years ago -- which means that ministers must use social media, like Instagram and Facebook, both appropriately and effectively.
Additionally, websites are still needed -- and much easier to manage, thanks to servers like WordPress. Also, live streaming worship services and Bible studies are the future. There is mounting research that indicates that being online is the more sure way to maintain a connection with members -- and the broader community -- during the pandemic. Knowing how to use Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or a streaming website application could be the difference between closing for good and staying open during and following the pandemic.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Counseling Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Rob O'Lynn: I do believe the demand for ministers will continue to exist over the next five years. Ministers resign or retire every week. Positions remain open for months, even years, despite saturated candidate pools. As the landscape of religion in America continues to evolve post-pandemic, I think we will see a surge in ministry work, as has often happened throughout the Church's history. As older, declining congregations close, newer congregations will assume those properties and establish new plants that will need ministers to serve them. Communities that survive the pandemic and continue carrying on will still need ministers to help them. Larger and growing congregations are always looking for new staff to add to various ministry departments or affiliated campuses. Also, remember parachurch organizations, like campus ministry programs, chaplaincy departments, Christian camps, and higher religious education.
What experience really stands out on Counseling Specialist resumes?
Dr. Reesha Adamson: With the current hybrid and virtual environments required within K-12 educational settings, knowledge around technology and resources is vital. There are multiple inexpensive certifications offered through Microsoft, Google, and Apple for educators, and these educational certifications make candidates stand out as competent and trendsetters. The format and context for education delivery typically fall within these platforms, and the knowledge of future teachers about their features allows them to build internal supports to differentiate instruction and use the technology as a tool to enhance and accommodate high-quality education but not to supplement instruction.
Also, future teachers documenting their abilities to adapt and be creative in their thinking is critical. We know that this year and potentially future years do not look typical. Their experiences within practicum and student teaching may be substantially different from their predecessors and potential colleagues. Therefore, highlighting their versatility and ability to rise above challenges and still get successful student outcomes is essential.
Creating high quality of engagement through innovative and authentic assignments that are versatile is critical. I believe it is essential for students to feature their abilities to develop multimodal lessons that could be implemented in person, virtually, and with potentially minimal support is a crucial component for educational success in the classroom. I also believe that thinking about the school and instruction beyond just the "school walls" has been a revolution that I hope catches fire and continues to push the educational community forward. We have a chance to reinvent public education and think about how to ensure that we are meeting all students' needs, across all formats, and within a framework of research and evidence-based practices. Students that can demonstrate their knowledge and abilities around using assignments based on research and outlets to access best practices will be the most qualified for academic positions in the future.
Finally, the knowledge around assessment and data collection is critical for any educator, but more specifically, for our special educators. Having formative assessments that are naturally embedded in instruction and can help determine instructional needs and design allows future educators to be playful in their approach to educational outcomes, have a targeted direction for implementation, and know that their practices are grounded within science. These distinctions create promise and possibility for student achievement beyond other formats.
How do you envision technology impacting Counseling Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Reesha Adamson: The use of technology to change the field is vital. However, there are some significant negative connotations around technology, and with the hasty introduction of virtual learning environments, there is probably going to be a stigma associated with their use. Primarily, schools were asked to pivot to virtual instruction with little warning or training, and many of the formats used were not conducive to student growth and development. Many were put together without considerable planning. The first step will be to show parents, specifically when discussing a student's educational goals and priorities, how instruction can enhance instruction. Schools and technology companies will be more in-line and partnering to help support a field that has been oversaturated with options. Our federal special education research office (OSEP) and our educational sciences institute (IES) have continuously put out vetted resources and possibilities for using technology effectively within instruction. They have also put out special funding to help answer the need to measure the effectiveness of the use of technology and prioritize making up educational deficits that may exist from our most vulnerable student populations missing education and not meeting targeted outcomes.
We are also working to address this challenge by embedding technology outcomes within our course, offering additional certifications for students within the coursework, and even initiating certificates and specialty training around technology and diverse learners. Ultimately, we can think about education in entirely different contexts than before and potentially create a generation of students ready to take on the current world and support a revolution in our thinking about how education and employment have to look. I can only hope we see the promise and expansion of technology positively within the next five years to make sure that we are a leading nation in developing resources and our students' support to make the most significant educational gains that they can.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Counseling Specialists?
Dr. Reesha Adamson: No graduate's experience is like that of any other cohort or generation. They are a cohort of resiliency, versatility, and change. We have seen these themes presented within an uprising of educators about the field over the past years. Still, this generation of students is in a place to advocate for themselves and the area like never before. Our nation has been facing a crisis over a pandemic and a racial problem that cannot be ignored. The use and scrutiny of social media and popular press have been discussed on national platforms, and ultimately answers continuously come back to the science and data behind decisions.
I believe that this generation of students, more than any other, know the importance of science and data collectively better than others, highlighting their experiences and decisions in the future. Graduates genuinely do have the power to change the world, and they are going to be entering the field of education in a time where a broken system of underpaid and understaffed professionals was highlighted on a national platform and impacted all generations and classes of individuals. Having Dr. Jill Biden in the White House, and as a long-standing educator with knowledge about our system and experience with this graduating class, can help catalyze a system that needs to be redefined.
I am hopeful of a nation of change and promise and the creation of acknowledgment of the valuable resource and commodity that teachers and educators are. We know what needs to be done to improve kids' outcomes, but the process to get there is complicated and is only compounded by an underfunded and continuously unsupported system. I hope that these graduates not only have been given the voice to speak up about the issues of injustice, but the knowledge and reasoning to be able to determine what practices are grounded in science and the ability to directly impact change across our nation to create the best possible outcomes for ALL students of ALL abilities.
What type of skills will young Counseling Specialists need?
Dr. Millie Dawson-Hardy Ph.D.: As a school counselor and with what I have seen this year and last, I would say the #1 requirement is the ability to be flexible, #2 be able to multi-task, and #3 take care of yourself well as your students. These are some of the very same characteristics I saw listed in books back in the 80s when I was getting my MEd in school counseling, but interesting, they are just as pertinent in the current situation. Specifically, knowing about eLearning and how to help students with the challenges of communication in eLearning and finally experience what anxiety looks like in school-age people and how to share coping skills with these students.
Dr. Mark Nelson
Professor and Program LeaderMontana State University – Bozeman
Department of Health and Human Development; Graduate Program – School Counseling
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Counseling Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Nelson: Rocky Mountain and western states seem to have many opportunities. This may be due to the westward migration in the U.S. population.
What type of skills will young Counseling Specialists need?
Suzanne Mayer Ph.D.: It is true, as the pandemic has made increasingly clear, that skills in communicating in a virtual world are needed to provide the platform for telemental health. However, the necessary skills of the caring counselor are still foundational: so, ethical decision making, genuine respect for each person's dignity, solid training, and mentoring. The early theory builders were not wrong that healing occurs in and through what happens in the relationship, so training individuals in the characteristics and capacity that lay the groundwork continues in the current workplace.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Counseling Specialists to find work opportunities?
Suzanne Mayer Ph.D.: If, as this period seems to be foreshadowing, the location becomes among the least decisive variables in determining where the counselor practices, it should no longer prove a hindrance or advantage for a practice location. With telemental health reaching into even rural and underpopulated areas, and sending needed resources into pockets of the latest crisis or trauma, what those currently in training should look for is where they can exercise whatever specific skills they most value, what group[s] they see themselves as being called to serve, and where pockets of need loom most.
How do you envision technology impacting Counseling Specialists in the next 5 years?
Suzanne Mayer Ph.D.: As is evident from my previous answers, the need to reach out to persons with technology needs will be made increasingly more available and affordable. Then, it remains for the young, bright, dedicated grads to go and get trained to reach whoever is the most in need -- burnt-out veterans, addiction clients who are almost at the point of giving up, overlooked and underserved populations who do not believe anyone can or will help and, most significantly, young people in pockets of turmoil, crime and decay.