Employment is expected to grow
faster than the average for all occupations. Projected job growth varies by
specialty, but job opportunities should be
favorable because job openings
are expected to exceed the number of graduates from counseling programs,
especially in rural areas.
Employment change. Overall employment of
counselors is expected to increase by 18 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is
faster than the average for all occupations. However, growth is expected to vary
by specialty.
Employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is expected
to grow by 21 percent, which is
much faster than the average for all occupations. As society becomes more
knowledgeable about addiction, more people are seeking treatment. Furthermore,
drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than to
jail.
Employment for educational, vocational, and school counselors is expected to
grow by 14 percent, which is
faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for vocational or career
counselors should grow as multiple job and career changes become common and as
workers become increasingly aware of counseling services. States require
elementary schools to employ counselors. Expansion of the responsibilities of
school counselors also is likely to lead to increases in their employment. For
example, counselors are becoming more involved in crisis and preventive
counseling, helping students deal with issues ranging from drug and alcohol
abuse to death and suicide. Although schools and governments realize the value
of counselors in helping their students to achieve academic success, budget
constraints at every school level will dampen the job growth of school
counselors. Federal grants and subsidies may help to offset tight budgets and
allow the reduction in student-to-counselor ratios to continue.
Employment of mental health counselors is expected to grow by 24 percent,
which is much faster than the
average for all occupations. Under managed care systems, insurance companies
increasingly are providing for reimbursement of counselors as a less costly
alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists. In addition, there has been
increased demand for mental health services as individuals become more willing
to seek help.
Jobs for rehabilitation counselors are expected to grow by 19 percent, which
is faster than the average for
all occupations. The number of people who will need rehabilitation counseling
will increase as the size of the elderly population, whose members become
injured or disabled at a higher rate than other age groups, increases and as
treatment for mental health related disabilities increases.
Marriage and family therapists will experience growth of 14 percent, which is
faster than the average for
all occupations, in part because of an increased recognition of the field. It is
becoming more common for people to seek help for their marital and family
problems than it was in the past.
Job prospects. Job opportunities should be
favorable because job openings are expected to exceed the number of graduates
from counseling programs, particularly in rural areas. Substance abuse
counselors should enjoy particularly good job prospects.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
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