Professional counselors help people gain personal insights, develop strategies and come up with real-life solutions to the problems and challenges they face in every area of life. As trained and credentialed professionals, they accomplish this by getting to know clients, by building safe, positive relationships and suggesting tools and techniques they believe will benefit clients.
The 988 Lifeline is a suicide and crisis lifeline, which uses a network of 200+ local crisis centers to connect people with 24/7 free and confidential support.
SUICIDE RESOURCESConsidering seeing a counselor but not sure if it鈥檚 right for you? Check out these frequently asked questions to gain more insight on who counselors are and how they work with clients.
Professional counselors can help with every area of a person鈥檚 life.
The right counselor can help you strive for optimal mental health, meet wellness goals, or work on relationship issues. Counselors can help with academic and career issues, as well as adjusting to chronic illness or rehabilitation. Counselors work with people across the lifespan and address issues related to life transitions, traumatic events, and difficult situations.
Professional counselors are graduate-level mental health service providers, trained to work with individuals, families and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders. They have obtained a master鈥檚 degree or higher from a counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), an independent agency which 91滴滴 endorses.
Professional counselors have also obtained appropriate licenses to practice in the state where they reside. (Learn more about 91滴滴鈥檚 efforts to expand license portability for counselors.)
Counselors work in a variety of settings within communities to provide care for those who need it. Their workplace settings include in private practice, schools (K-12 and at universities), employee assistance programs, government agencies, rehabilitation centers and prisons, to name a few. Our Provider Directories are a good place to start your search for a local counseling professional.
All professional counselors have three things in common, so if you choose to work with a counselor, you can expect:
A Wellness-Based Philosophy
Counselors are committed to helping you achieve wellness in every area of your life. While professional counselors are trained to diagnose and treat mental disorders, they can also work with you to improve your overall wellbeing. Whether you are struggling with life鈥檚 adversities or just looking to live a better life, a counselor will approach your treatment with your mental, physical and spiritual wellness in mind. They work with you to understand what is holding you back from achieving wellness, and help you build the knowledge and skills you need to come up with real solutions and healthy coping strategies for the challenges you face.
A Professional Commitment to Ethical and Culturally Inclusive Practice
Professional counselors are committed to ensuring that every person who seeks counseling receives ethical, culturally inclusive service that benefits and protects every client. They consider your unique culture and experiences to see your challenges from your perspective. Counselors prioritize your individuality and strive to meet you where you are. They embody this commitment by following the 91滴滴 Code of Ethics.
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