What Is A Counseling Associate?

If you're searching for a counselor, you might have come across some with associated licenses. These mental health professionals have completed a master's degree from an accredited program and gained a foundation in therapeutic techniques. They are now practicing therapy and working toward earning a full license in their field. Read on for a closer look at what one can offer and when you might want to consider engaging in therapy with one.

What is a counselor with an associated license?

A counselor with an associated license is a mental health professional who has completed their education but hasn't yet received full licensure in their field, whether it be social work, counseling, or psychology. They are sometimes also called “pre-licensed” or “provisional” counselors. An associate mental health counselor may work in places like behavioral health centers or other mental health facilities and are supervised by a fully licensed therapist.

Education requirements

To qualify for these jobs, an individual needs to earn a master's degree in a relevant field like social work, counseling, or psychology from an accredited school. This advanced education helps aspiring full-time counselors gain the knowledge and skills they need to offer helpful therapeutic guidance. After they’ve completed their educational program, those working toward becoming a counselor must then gain hands-on experience by working a certain number of supervised hours with a licensed counselor. 

In addition to gaining this education and experience, counselor associates may also need to pass a licensing test and keep their knowledge fresh with ongoing education and professional development. This helps them stay current with the latest research and the most effective ways to help people with different concerns.

Role and responsibilities

Counseling associate may provide counseling to a variety of clients depending on area of speciality, including adults, teenagers, children, and/or families. A counselor at this level might help people experiencing symptoms of mental health disorders or facing challenges like communication issues, marital problems, or family disagreements. 

Types of therapy licenses

Becoming a licensed counselor typically involves taking time to get this level license first and then moving on to full licensure, though a process that varies somewhat from state to state. This tage allows new professionals to gain supervised experience and complete clinical hours one's state requires. 

Let's look at three main types of licensure that allow a person to practice counseling as a licensed counselor, which associates may be working toward;

• Counseling: They are often working toward licensure in mental health counseling. In most instances, they have received at least a master's degree and are capable of providing counseling related to mental illness, substance misuse, and various life challenges. 
• Marriage and family therapy: Associates in this field have completed at least a master's degree in marriage and family therapy and are working toward independent licensure. They can provide various mental health services under clinical supervision.  
• Social work: Social workers can provide counseling to clients, but that usually isn't a primary role. Often, social workers help people connect with other resources, such as housing assistance, job training, or more in-depth mental health counseling. Associate social workers generally have either a bachelor's or master's in social work and are working to gain full licensure. 

Working with a counseling associate

When working with an associate mental health counselor, you can usually expect to start with an initial assessment that will allow counselors to create a personalized treatment plan, followed by ongoing sessions using various techniques accompanied by regular progress evaluations. One main difference from working with an associate versus fully licensed counselor is that the former are supervised by a fully licensed professional, which offers an additional layer of expertise while still respecting your sensitive information. 

Potential benefits of therapy

Not everyone will feel comfortable working with this type of counselors, especially those who are facing more complex or severe concerns. However, working with a professional at this level may come with certain benefits for those who are interested, such as:

• Potentially more affordable pricing. One advantage of seeing one is that they often charge less than fully licensed counselors. Since they're still under supervision and working toward full licensure, associate counselors can typically provide more budget-friendly counseling services. 
• Qualified supervision. Again, associates must work with a licensed counselor who supervises them. This means that you as a client can receive high-quality care from both counselors who provide you regular guidance.
• Ongoing training and education. If you choose to work with an one, you can generally trust that you're getting help from someone who's regularly improving their skills and knowledge and keeping up with new studies on relevant psychology topics.

According to research, internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is just as effective as face-to-face interventions. In one study, researchers found that online CBT and face-to-face CBT “created equivalent overall effects” in treating anxiety disorders. CBT is an approach that teaches people how to recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns to promote healthier, more helpful ways of thinking. CBT can be utilized to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder, among other concerns.