Careers in Counseling & Psych

Course Description

This course introduces students to the broad range of professional careers in psychology, therapy and counseling. We will review educational and licensing requirements, at both the masters and doctoral levels while understanding the unique approaches to mental health and treatment in various professional disciplines related to psychology (e.g., clinical psychology, counseling psychology, family therapy, relationship counseling, addiction counseling, art therapy, and social work). We will prioritize frank discussions of financial realities associated with graduate school in the 21st century and how students might navigate educational debt. Students will gain a basic understanding of various theoretical orientations and approaches to psychotherapies and explore ethics and ethical decision-making processes. We will also interrogate the impact of healthcare systems and categorical diagnostics on access to care as well as discuss how social justice frameworks might be incorporated into such professional work. This course will include guest lecturers and speakers, so we might better explore the day-to-day, lived experiences of practicing counselors, psychologists, and therapists.