How do I achieve a career in grief counseling?

[kaciewagner0]

Hi! My name is Kacie and I currently hold a bachelors in psychology from West Chester University. I am wondering if anyone can give me advice on how to go about pursuing a career in grief counseling. I am thinking about going into the path of getting my masters in clinical mental health counseling. I currently volunteer at a grief center. Thank you in advance!

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[AcronymAllergy]

Short, broad answer: get a degree that allows for independent clinical practice (e.g., MSW) and then while doing so and/or afterward, obtain focused, supervised clinical training providing grief counseling. It's possible you may finish a program with very little clinical experience, so there may be a decent amount of post-grad work involved. I personally can't speak to the pros/cons of the different masters-level licenses (e.g., LCSW vs. LMHC), but I'm sure other folks here can.

I'm not sure if focusing solely on grief counseling would be sufficient to support a career, but it could certainly be at least a part of what you do.

 

[EnPsychlopedia]

To follow up on AcronymAllergy, here's a document I wrote which outlines the major pathways available for a career in independent psychotherapy practice:

Careers in Mental Health (Omnibus v. 2)

Careers in Mental Health (Omnibus) - work in progress (done up to Appendix B) by u/MattersOfInterest Hello, and welcome to the Careers in Mental Health omnibus! If you’re here, it’s probably because you have an interest in mental health and are wondering about different career options for work...

docs.google.com

 

[summerbabe]

I currently volunteer at a grief center.

In addition to the good advice already offered, I would ask people that you volunteer with about their education. Most likely, they did a clinical master's degree, tried to get some supervised experiences, and then found a suitable job and learned as they went along.

I'm a psychologist who primarily does therapy. I learned a good amount in school but I learned way more once my formal education was finished. I imagine this would apply for counselors, including those who do a lot of grief.

The last thing I'll add is that variety can be good for the soul but also to sustain yourself in the long run. Volunteering for 10 hrs/week is very different than working 40 hours/week, year in and year out. Variety can help protect against burnout and also allow us to pursue other interests, which can be very meaningful in other ways. Good luck!

 

[singasongofjoy]

If you wanted/needed to expand your intended client base, you could consider grief re: other types of loss- e.g., ppl with TBI or other major life-altering injury or diagnosis in adulthood, and their caregivers/support people (usually family members). Personally I think I would want greater variety because that still feels pretty similar and @summerbabe has a good point about avoiding burnout. But wanted to raise that idea since it is an underrecognized need in my area from what I've seen.

 

[Fluidity of Movement]

To follow up on AcronymAllergy, here's a document I wrote which outlines the major pathways available for a career in independent psychotherapy practice:

Careers in Mental Health (Omnibus v. 2)

Careers in Mental Health (Omnibus) - work in progress (done up to Appendix B) by u/MattersOfInterest Hello, and welcome to the Careers in Mental Health omnibus! If you’re here, it’s probably because you have an interest in mental health and are wondering about different career options for work...

docs.google.com

If I could add to the list that Crisis Counselors generally only need BS or equivalent experience. Also, Psych Techs vary a lot by state, and generally provide interventions or lead group / recreational therapies (which also may be a separate job offered by the hospital). It's more of in the state hospitals that they take more of a CNA role IME.

I imagine there are some states / specific jobs that would also allow highly trained bachelors to do grief counseling.