Counseling Continuing Education Courses

For professionals who work in the field of counseling, continuing education units, also referred to as CEUs, will be an ongoing process. In order to keep one's professional license current, it is a requirement that education is continued throughout one's career. This is important for a variety of reasons, including the fact that new trends develop, people get stale by using the same methods, and it's stimulating to learn new things.

Why it's important to taking ongoing classes:

- New trends: Due to ongoing research and information, new trends and findings are popping up on a regular basis. Because the world is now connected through online networks, the news of updated info appears rapidly. A therapist in America might learn about a finding in China that is exactly what is needed for his or her client. Where would the psychology and counseling fields be without constant updates? Freud may have been the cutting edge practitioner in another era, for example, but many recent findings have shown that not all of his philosophies were accurate.

- Counselors getting stale: It's not just therapists and psychologists who get stale; doctors, dentists and teachers are professionals who must update their licensing through education, too. Any person who attended college a decade or so ago would be hard pressed to recall exactly what was learned unless it's something that they use every day. Taking another round of coursework to review and learn new things will keep these experts from getting stale. A fresh minded therapist will be better prepared to help clients.

- Feeding one's own brain and well-being: Experts and pros who are in the giving fields, such as counseling, medicine and teaching, give a great deal of themselves to their clients, patients and students. In order to stay vibrant and not deplete one's emotional, mental and physical reserves, it's crucial for counselors to take good care of themselves. Self care is a highly important step in preventative maintenance for well-being.

- Coursework that is available. There are many ways that these MSWs and LPCs can obtain their needed CEUs. Educational units are available through online programs, books, DVDs, videos or on-site classroom trainings. Depending on what the therapists' interests are and practice is focused on, there will be an array of choices to select from. Some examples include:

o Couples' work: Couples' work can be accomplished by appointments with both partners or individually.
o Teenagers' issues: Adolescent angst is a trying time for kids and parents. Therapy can help provide clarity.
o Addiction and substance abuse: Alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, sex and more can be troubling when addiction happens.
o Mood disorders: Anxiety, depression, bi-polar and more can be helped with therapy.
o PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder): When a person suffers trauma, he or she may develop PTSD.
o Brain research: There is amazing research going on regarding the human brain.

When a person's career is in the field of counseling, continuing education is a necessity in order to maintain a professional license. It also helps the therapist be healthier and more effective with clients.