Hi all
I am wondering if anybody has any advice regarding training to become a counselor in the UK versus the USA.
I am from the Uk and had intended to train as a counselor. I took two years University diplomas in Psychotherapeutics and advanced cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. I was going to go and do my MA there although in the UK you can exit and a post graduate diploma and still work as a counselor. I then met my husband and came over to the USA where again I intended to take my MA in counseling.
I have noticed since being here however that the MSW keeps popping up as a viable option. My goal is to work solely in counseling, either agency work and eventually a private practice (many years down the road)! We may also need to move states in the future due to my husbands work so the portability of the degree and licensing is important.
The MSW course itself however isn't entirely my cup of tea - my eyes light-up at the clinical classes but I am not that interested in the macro side of SW although I know I would have to take them. I attended two open houses one for SW (Rutgers) and the other for MA in counseling. The MA in counseling however seemed a lot of work and not as clear in terms of licensing the jobs at the end. From job searches I have noticed even as an LPC you are still competing with MSW or LCSWs. I am more than happy to take classes I am not that interested in if the end game means I am employable. I do like the flexibility the MSW may offer in terms of different areas you can work in - but I see myself working one on one offering counseling...in the first instance.
My questions is would MSW be more marketable and would it be a case of riding the classes I am not interested but obviously following the clinical route and maybe attending additional training or becoming affiliated with a counseling association during my training to attend relevant workshops etc
2) once graduating from the MSW can I work as a counselor immediatley (whilst working towards my LCSW). I really want to be in a position where I can work as a counselor upon graduation whilst working towards my LCSW rather than have to wait an additional 2 years to become licensed clinically.
3) does anybody know about gaining a MSW in the UK and being able to work in the USA? Money is extremely tight for my husband and I and the MSW in the UK would actually be over $30,000 cheaper (total fees would be about $8000 and the government pays towards it. However money isn't everything and I wouldn't want to go back to the UK to train only to come over to the USA and find my masters doesn't translate. I have contacted the CSWE but they cant give me an answer just tell me to send credentials in once I have these ( which would obviously be too late).
4) Similarly if I was to return to the UK to gain a masters in counseling - does anybody know if this translates or knows of anybody who has done this?
In the UK social work as not as clinically orientated as in the USA, to become a counselor you tend to go to university and study a post graduate diploma or MS in counseling rather than social work (although social workers do go back to gain additional qualifications to become counselor) its slightly more clear cut in the UK. Am I correct in thinking that historically it is the other way around over here that MSWs are more likely to provide counseling services (although I recognize the MA in counseling or family counseling are growing as professions).
I am an older returning student with a family to support (well husband who has alot of student debt). I needs to train quickly and get out there as soon as they can to support my family so i am not interested in working to PHD level. I just want to become a counselor who will be employable at the end of the degree (I am very realistic and although I would prefer to study a MA in counseling if its going to be harder to find a job I simply cant afford to do it.
In short I guess the questions are - MA in counseling or MSW to become a psychotherapist/counselor and USA training or UK training to predominantly work in the USA.
I really hope somebody can offer some advice as its a minefield to me at the moment despite my months of research!
Many thanks
Miamia078
I am wondering if anybody has any advice regarding training to become a counselor in the UK versus the USA.
I am from the Uk and had intended to train as a counselor. I took two years University diplomas in Psychotherapeutics and advanced cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. I was going to go and do my MA there although in the UK you can exit and a post graduate diploma and still work as a counselor. I then met my husband and came over to the USA where again I intended to take my MA in counseling.
I have noticed since being here however that the MSW keeps popping up as a viable option. My goal is to work solely in counseling, either agency work and eventually a private practice (many years down the road)! We may also need to move states in the future due to my husbands work so the portability of the degree and licensing is important.
The MSW course itself however isn't entirely my cup of tea - my eyes light-up at the clinical classes but I am not that interested in the macro side of SW although I know I would have to take them. I attended two open houses one for SW (Rutgers) and the other for MA in counseling. The MA in counseling however seemed a lot of work and not as clear in terms of licensing the jobs at the end. From job searches I have noticed even as an LPC you are still competing with MSW or LCSWs. I am more than happy to take classes I am not that interested in if the end game means I am employable. I do like the flexibility the MSW may offer in terms of different areas you can work in - but I see myself working one on one offering counseling...in the first instance.
My questions is would MSW be more marketable and would it be a case of riding the classes I am not interested but obviously following the clinical route and maybe attending additional training or becoming affiliated with a counseling association during my training to attend relevant workshops etc
2) once graduating from the MSW can I work as a counselor immediatley (whilst working towards my LCSW). I really want to be in a position where I can work as a counselor upon graduation whilst working towards my LCSW rather than have to wait an additional 2 years to become licensed clinically.
3) does anybody know about gaining a MSW in the UK and being able to work in the USA? Money is extremely tight for my husband and I and the MSW in the UK would actually be over $30,000 cheaper (total fees would be about $8000 and the government pays towards it. However money isn't everything and I wouldn't want to go back to the UK to train only to come over to the USA and find my masters doesn't translate. I have contacted the CSWE but they cant give me an answer just tell me to send credentials in once I have these ( which would obviously be too late).
4) Similarly if I was to return to the UK to gain a masters in counseling - does anybody know if this translates or knows of anybody who has done this?
In the UK social work as not as clinically orientated as in the USA, to become a counselor you tend to go to university and study a post graduate diploma or MS in counseling rather than social work (although social workers do go back to gain additional qualifications to become counselor) its slightly more clear cut in the UK. Am I correct in thinking that historically it is the other way around over here that MSWs are more likely to provide counseling services (although I recognize the MA in counseling or family counseling are growing as professions).
I am an older returning student with a family to support (well husband who has alot of student debt). I needs to train quickly and get out there as soon as they can to support my family so i am not interested in working to PHD level. I just want to become a counselor who will be employable at the end of the degree (I am very realistic and although I would prefer to study a MA in counseling if its going to be harder to find a job I simply cant afford to do it.
In short I guess the questions are - MA in counseling or MSW to become a psychotherapist/counselor and USA training or UK training to predominantly work in the USA.
I really hope somebody can offer some advice as its a minefield to me at the moment despite my months of research!
Many thanks
Miamia078
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