Interview

1st interview: Jo Ellen

Do you think you would change your profession if you could start all over? Why or why not? In the sense of location, yes I would do something else but in the sense of my job, no I love my work.

Where is the best place to go to college for counseling? You need a minimum of a masters degree for counseling. Look for a school that has a CACREP creditation. In Colorado this would include: Denver Seminary, Colorado Christian, or DU. How do you get into the field? I would recommend doing your internship somewhere that you might like to work. Often facilities will offer their interns a job. Otherwise, you can set up a private practice.

Is it better to work as a self employed counselor or working for a school or other facility?Why? They are just really different. It takes a person with a good business strategy to spear head your own business you have to know how to sell your skill set.

Do you have to get a masters or doctorate to do well? Yes you have to get your masters, basically you can be a probation officer or a social worker (base level) with a bacholer's degree however you really can't do much counseling. You would most likely be managing patients at mental health institutions or "baby-sitting" if you will.

How rewarding is this profession to you? It is extremely rewarding when you get to see people make positive changes that greatly impact their lives. It was especially rewarding when I got the opportunity to work with children from domestic abuse backgrounds, as they learned about safety, boundaries, and gaining confidence in their daily lives. When a person has a major "AHA' or insight, and discovers new strategies that improves their life, it is incredibly rewarding.

After – years as a Counselor/physiatrist do you feel like you made the right decision? Yes, however due to the overpopulation of counselors in the front range area, it is difficult to make a living.

Do you feel like you have made a lasting impact on people you have helped? Yes, one man decided to complete his residential program based on insights gained in a session. Children have been able to take what they have learned during sessions and apply new strategies to their daily lives.

What made you decide you wanted to be a counselor? I had been told by many friends that I was a good listener and I interviewed several counselors that I respected to explore the career. During high school and college, I liked my science and psychology classes best. I felt this would be a good way to help others and serve the community.

What is unique about your counseling approach? Most of my sessions involve some sort of experiential therapy. Instead of just talking about their issues, I set up an exercise where the client can try out new solutions to their problems. With couples, I might teach them a ballroom dance step, and then ask them to dance with one of them blindfolded. This helps them determine their leading/following style, and encourages them to find new ways to communicate, solve problems, and gain trust. In one exercise, children who struggled at school are told that a group of ponies had some problems during the school year and have to go to summer school. The youngsters are each assigned to be a "teacher's assistant" for one pony in the "classroom". In the process, they learn what it takes to be a good teacher, and see through the eyes of the animal what difficulties might stand in the way of learning. One group of children learned that if they were quiet and paid attention to the teacher, the ponies behaved better as well.

2nd interview:Michon

Where is the best place to go to college for counseling? You will need to receive a Psychology Bachelor of Arts from an undergraduate college. If you desire to continue education and pursue a master of arts degree,   I would suggest Denver Seminary. The most important thing is to choose a school that is accredited by the state for counseling, check with DORA.state.co.us

How do you get into the field? This will depend on the state you wish to work after graduation. Check with the state department that regulates licensed counselors. You must pass a national counseling exam for many states and some states have created their own counseling exam. Is it better to work as a self employed counselor or working for a school or other facility?Why? This depends on what population you wish to work with and the environment you desire to be part of such as a school system (public school systems may have a good retirement plan and less pay), a facility for adults, youth, or children. Licensure requires thousands of hours of counseling and hundreds of hours of supervision; this requirement is easier to fulfill when working in a facility or school system as the clients are able to be seen daily. You can work in private practices with these populations however, in private practice you do not have a team of support built in around you. It can be more difficult to find colleague support which is important in this carimportantcareer; Self employment leaves you paying your own health insurance and creating your own retirement plan.

Do you have to get a masters or doctorate to do well? I would say yes to a masters degree due to my bias since I have one. A doctorate in my mind is for those who want to be in the research field and/or teach classes in a college or university. With that said many psychologists do engage in regualr counseling sessions (psychologist's have a non-medical doctorate degree).

How rewarding is this profession to you? I love the work I do, as I love people. I believe God has a plan for each and every client I see and it is not always easy for them to see a plan due to the things they have experienced in this life. There is healing through counseling and the Holy Spirit's counseling power.

After – years as a Counselor/psychotherapist do you feel like you made the right decision? Yes, I have never second quessed my changing of professions. I feel it is a privilege to be able to walk with people through such difficult and vulnerable times in their lives. Some client's stay on for the long haul and some do not; I trust that God will bless the client's efforts to heal and continue His work.

Do you feel like you have made a lasting impact on people you have helped? This is a difficult question to answer as the majority of client's do not give you this kind of clear cut feedback. If you are going into the profession to feel good about what you have done with the client and get a "pat on the back" for your ego and insecurities,this is not the profession for you.

What made you decide you wanted to be a counselor?My last career was working with college students coaching volleyball teaching health. During my coaching career I fell in love with the individual and less on the "have to win" attitude. God changed my heart for the individual rather than the team. This was not the first time counseling had come to mind; however, this was the first time I felt strongly enough to drop my coaching career and attend Denver Seminary for a master's degree in counseling. What is unique about your counseling approach? Not much is unique as there is no need to reinvent the wheel. My passion is for the client to become free of those things that happened to them and the things that they have done. I like to say, "I help the individual become who they wish to be rather than what they have become." My counseling orientation is eclectic as I incorporate the following: Christian prayer and scripture, cognitive, behavioral, family systems, and client centered therapy .

Do you think you would change your profession if you could start all over? Why or why not? No, I believe God has me right where He wants me. The venue may change; however, the work of counseling will remain.