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Best family counselor certifications
Family counselor certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an family counselor to employers. However, not all family counselor certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a family counselor are Certified Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Pastoral Counseling Certification.
Below is a list of the best family counselor certifications. Obtaining an family counselor certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for family counselors
| Rank | Family counselor certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Professional Counselor | APA, DAPA |
| 2 | National Certified Counselor (NCC) | NBCC |
| 3 | Pastoral Counseling Certification | Mt. Vision In... |
| 4 | Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor | NAFC |
| 5 | Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW) | ACFEI, Cr.FA |
| 6 | Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) | ACADC |
6 best family counselor certifications
1. Certified Professional Counselor
You entered this field in order to help people. When was the last time that an organization came along to provide any real help to you? The mission of the American Board of Professional Counselors, ABPC program is to be the nation's leading advocate for counselors. ABPC will champion counselors' right to practice. We will work with you to protect your right to practice, increase parity for your profession, and provide you with the recognition that you so richly deserve.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
2. National Certified Counselor (NCC)
The NCC certification was launched by NBCC in 1983 as a result of the efforts of members of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Since that time, NBCC has become an independent entity and more than 80,000 counselors have become NCCs. The NCC is one of two NBCC certifications that are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
3. Pastoral Counseling Certification
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
4. Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
5. Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW)
Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to the law and legal system, both criminal and civil. Forensic social workers help children and families involved in custody issues, including but not limited to separation, divorce, neglect, and the termination of parental rights. The social workers also deal with the implications of child and spouse abuse. Forensic social workers may work in a number of settings, including juvenile and adult justice services, corrections, and mandated treatment programs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
6. Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)
The Mission of the Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors, as a counselor certification organization for the California Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs, is to provide an entrance to the professional counseling arena, to train and certify Christian men and women who desire to do professional drug, alcohol and addiction counseling.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a family counselor?
The best family counselor certification is Certified Professional Counselor. The Certified Professional Counselor is awarded by the American Psychotherapy Association. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this family counselor certification:
- To become a certified Certified Professional Counselor, you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for family counselors?
The most in-demand family counselor certification is National Certified Counselor based on all active job postings. Having this family counselor certification will give you access to more family counselor jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a family counselor career and salary?
The Certified Professional Counselor certification will help you to secure a counselor position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A counselor's average salary is $37,562 whereas family counselors make an average salary of $41,510.
The most common combination of family counselor certifications include: Certified Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Pastoral Counseling Certification.
Online courses for family counselors to earn certifications
1. Personal & Family Financial Planning
Personal and Family Financial Planning will address many critical personal financial management topics in order to help you learn prudent habits both while in school and throughout your lifetime...
2. Leadership in the Family Business
To ensure that the family business transcends and the company is sustained over time, in this course of entrepreneurship and business administration, you will have the opportunity to understand the complexity of family and business dynamics, reflect on the roles and ways of thinking of the family's leader and make a diagnosis of entrepreneurship. All this in order for you to know the instruments and components that involve leading and orchestrating the family business: the future vision of the...
3. Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy
Help people build stronger relationships and marriages by learning couples counselling skills...
4. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
5. Helping Families Avoid Negative Court Involvement Teach-Out
This course will teach learners how to understand when issues can become legal issues, encourage learners to recognize legal problems early, identify possible “legal soft spots” in their own situations, and act when issues are identified to avoid them escalating. This course will also teach and encourage learners to think preventatively and provide some tools to use with an eye toward preventing future legal issues. Finally, this Teach-out seeks to expand the idea of legal health checks to a...
6. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
7. How to Help Family Members or Friends with Mental Illness
Practical Counseling Skills to help children, family or friends with Depression, Anxiety, or Other Mental Illness...
8. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited
Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...
9. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
10. Photography - Individual & Family Posing - Live Sessions
Dramatically improve your portraits with these easy relaxed posing techniques. Flatter your subjects & they'll love you!...
11. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
12. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
13. Professional Anger & Aggression Counselling Diploma
Fully Accredited Diploma Course For Powerful Counselling Techniques For Anger & Aggression Management...
14. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
15. The Complete Guide To Analyzing Single Family Rental Homes
How To Analyze and Evaluate Single Family Rental Property Acquisition Opportunities...
16. Certified Spiritual Counselor & Psychology EmpathACCREDITED
Use a humanistic, soul care approach using strategy, positive psychology, emotional/impulse responses & natural empathy...
17. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
18. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
19. Conflict Resolution in Leadership and Talent Management
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your team members/reports...
20. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE
Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...