Currently I have an M.A. in counseling and had a job in Washington as a Child and Family Therapist, under an agency affiliated counselor credential. I was working toward getting my license by receiving weekly clinical supervision.
Due to a military move, my husband and I relocated to Hawaii in August for an undetermined period of time (then back home to our home state). It was very difficult to find a job here and most listings state specifically that they would only look at licensed counselors. Hawaii does not have a program for counselors which are still obtaining their license and they say that you cannot provide counseling if you are not licensed, yet their licensing requirements state they would like 2 years supervised post grad counseling experience. I called their office and was told that I could work as a Behavioral Health Specialist at the schools in order to work toward licensing. Despite having excellent letters of recommendation and good grades, the schools were not interested (perhaps because of presumed cultural issues). Recently I took a job as a Psychiatric Technician on a military installation after months of no responses and am trying to figure out if I could use this job experience toward my post grad hours. The problem is that I do not have any of my own clients at this job and am not sure the extent of which I will be assisting in Therapeutic activities. Frankly, it really feels like my career is stuck in the toilet right now. Does anyone have any information that might be helpful? Thanks!
Due to a military move, my husband and I relocated to Hawaii in August for an undetermined period of time (then back home to our home state). It was very difficult to find a job here and most listings state specifically that they would only look at licensed counselors. Hawaii does not have a program for counselors which are still obtaining their license and they say that you cannot provide counseling if you are not licensed, yet their licensing requirements state they would like 2 years supervised post grad counseling experience. I called their office and was told that I could work as a Behavioral Health Specialist at the schools in order to work toward licensing. Despite having excellent letters of recommendation and good grades, the schools were not interested (perhaps because of presumed cultural issues). Recently I took a job as a Psychiatric Technician on a military installation after months of no responses and am trying to figure out if I could use this job experience toward my post grad hours. The problem is that I do not have any of my own clients at this job and am not sure the extent of which I will be assisting in Therapeutic activities. Frankly, it really feels like my career is stuck in the toilet right now. Does anyone have any information that might be helpful? Thanks!
