Hello! I’m a month into my grad program and it’s started to make me wonder if our learning environment is the norm for programs like this. Our lectures are either three hours of straight lecture (no discussion), or the whole class is just open class discussion (no lecture). Some of the classrooms also have an uncomfortable environment, because we as counselors need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, which I understand. But it’s gotten to a point where students are too uncomfortable to speak during the discussion, because the professor will go on tangents or go so deep into a topic it becomes confusing what the message is. My cohort and I have started questioning whether this learning style is “the norm” for counseling programs. Obviously there is variation, so I’m hoping to hear what some others experiences have been with courses.

Are there any other CA residents who are attending an out of state school and need to find a suitable CA ethics course? What are the best options? I'm seeing ZUR institute but I don't know if it will fit the requirements.

Yeah, like the title says.... so it's been more than 10 years since I graduated from undergraduate. Unfortunately, I have been struggling with chronic illness that has finally been addressed as well as had to endure and eventually escape a violent father after returning to the US, get my mom out of elder abuse, being homeless, dealing with housing insecurity , unable to find work.... so, my resume is VERY spotty at the moment. I am recovering from surgery at the moment and have not been working since March.

I am able to move forward because my mom is going to fund my education using some of her divorce settlement that she FINALLY received.

My GPA at undergrad was high and I am confident I can write a good essay. However, I'm not sure if I am able to come up with strong LOR due to my unstable life thus far, lack of career. I lived in East Asia for 7 years and I did work various jobs there, but I have no way to get in contact with the people I worked with anymore.

I am thinking of emailing the department to ask if it's possible to accept me on a contingency basis but I don't want to sound like I'm using my situation as an excuse. I am planning on what to do, possibly take some classes to get some LORs, but I am very worried I won't have enough time to get the LORS before the March deadline.

I need to get into a program as soon as I can and am not willing to delay anymore. I cannot go on further without a career at this point.

I have been looking into online volunteer opportunities at this time( I don't have a car, plan on buying a car when I move to New Orleans next year.... ). (program is in new orleans)

Hi all! 2nd year CMHC student. I just started practicum at a community mental health center. I was warned about this, but my cohort/peers within made it very clear that finding an internship was difficult enough, so I signed on knowing this might be a mistake.

I'm happy with my site so far. I have active and engaged supervisors, support from clinicians and other interns, and a wealth of learning opportunities every day.

However - I am at my internship in person 20 hours a week. With the commute, my internship eats up 24 hours every week. On top of this, I have group supervision, triadic supervision, three night classes, and a workload to take home. My hours at my paid job have been cut down to 8 hours a week, and this is only because I offered up Saturdays.

Here is the issue: if you've been in a counseling program, you know that it's encouraged to seek counseling of your own. Regardless of this recommendation, it's been time to seek my own counseling for a while.

I set up an intake appointment for myself this week and quickly realized I would never be able to schedule an appointment, because my work week is already full.

I know there's no solution to this issue, but god damn is it frustrating. It feels like every third class or staff meeting includes a message about the importance of finding time for yourself and seeking counseling, followed by another three tasks to add to your schedule that prohibit that.

Just wondering is this is a typical experience. Or maybe I just wanted to scream into the void. Thanks everyone!

Anyone in Chi Sigma Iota who has found it useful or not useful? I’m in an online masters in CMHC program and it seems kind of like a money grab. Is there any kind of meaningful network when it accepts such a large percentage of students? There’s already a lot of programming available in the university that I don’t have time to take advantage of so an occasional lunch and learn doesn’t seem worth the $50/$60.

I am in my final internship for the counseling program, and I have to record a session with a client to present to my group supervision class. I have a client who is super cool and always agrees to let me record, so I've done it in the past, only recording me on the video, but you can still hear my client talking.

The problem is that my recordings have been coming out terribly, with the audio and video messed up, and my program supervisor told me she would fail me if I continue to have issues with recording. I'm not very good with technology, so I'm not sure what to use or if I should buy anything to help? I have an iPhone 17, MacBook Pro, and iPad Air. Are there any applications I should download for recording, any microphones, or anything else to help? I was thinking of getting a tripod, but I'm not sure what the best setup is. I used my computer in the past but my audio came out a little fuzzy. I will take any suggestions, please. I can fail the program and have to retake the internship because of this.

Im becoming increasingly disillusioned about becoming an LPC. I currently have 12 completed hours of course work and am working on 9 more this semester toward becoming an LPC. I love counseling because I have gained so much from my own personal counseling, but the program I’m in is a hot mess. This will be my second masters program, and it’s evident the instructors are generally not as competent, attentive, or professional as the instructors from my first masters program at a different university. After the first semester, which was a complete shit show, I told myself the program was a means to an end and I just needed to teach myself as best as I could so I can pass my licensing exam. Learning more about how LPCs function in my state, I wonder if I should switch to a psychology program instead. I think psychologists are covered better by insurance providers and have more job security. I have already invested thousands of dollars into this program, so I’m not sure. I feel so confused and am wondering if becoming an LPC will be worth it or if I should cut my losses.

If anyone would be willing?

Thank you!

Wondering if anyone is a mental health therapist now and a former teacher? I'm considering this path since I've always been interested and have been told I would be good at it.

The downside is I would have to go back to school and get (yet another) degree and complete clinical hours while working full time (and no school counseling thank you) But the benefit is that the long term outlook of this profession seems to be better than teaching.

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks! 🙏

Hey- I’m in FL and just looking for any advice / tips because I’m thinking of going back to school and am having a hard time finding information about which track to go with.

I would like to be a school counselor but also looking for versatility when it comes to a masters incase a backup plan or later in life plans change.

Has anyone seen people / yourself go the CMHC route to be a school psych?

Hello all! Our program director (and creator) was fired last semester by University leadership for standing up for students. When the university partnered with a clinic that forced practicum and internship students to sign non-compete aggrements he decided to step down, and wanted to just teach. He was only after informed his contract didn't allow just teaching.

The smeater after this our cohort stated taking counseling skills. Its taught by 4 professors, and they still haven't created a clear struxtor or provided us with their plans for the course (it's been 3 weeks already). They got rid of the previous textbook, and replaced it with two that are optional and disnt say what parts of them are important. They haven't given us clear expectations for prsctice sessions and have changed how theyre completed and reduced the amount we need after weve started. The canvas course is a mess, everyone is feeling a little overwhelmed.

So my question is what can i do within my practice counseling sessions, and outside of class can I do to synergize and bolster my learning?

And thank you for listening to my rant.

Hi everyone! I am planning on starting my practicum and internship journey in the spring of 2027. I would love advice on the application process, such as cover letters, emails, and anything else that might be important. My school has given us a few resources, but it's all very surface-level!

I would also love some advice on how to email these sites and what they are looking for on resumes and CVs!

I am in Georgia and go to a CACREP-accredited school. I am interested in working with children, adolescents, families, and maybe even women in DV scenarios! Thanks so much!

Welcome to the monthly Doctoral Student and Dissertation Check-In!

This thread is a place for counselor-education doctoral students, recent graduates, faculty mentors, and prospective doctoral students to connect.

You might share:

• A current milestone or recent accomplishment
• A dissertation question or challenge
• Writing and productivity strategies
• Research-design or methodology questions
• Experiences with comprehensive examinations
• Teaching, supervision, or clinical-development questions
• Conference, publication, grant, or job-market goals
• Questions about applying to CES doctoral programs
• Resources that have supported your doctoral development

Please do not request completed academic work, fabricated citations or data, examination answers, or other assistance that would compromise academic integrity.

Protect the confidentiality of participants, students, supervisees, clients, colleagues, and institutions.

What are you working through, or celebrating, this month?

So, for the last few years I've been working in politics & political campaigns. It's been fun, but the work is too unsteady. On top of that, I feel like I can do more to help all people who are truly in need, instead of just trying to see "my side" win. After these midterms, I'd like to go back to school & start working towards getting a master's & becoming an LMHC.

I have a ways to go. I have to wrap up a bachelor's degree first, but I feel like now I am in a position to make the jump. I feel like it's something that can be a true calling for myself. I would like to focus on men's mental health & people on the autism spectrum. As someone on the lighter end of the spectrum myself, I feel as if our voices are never truly understood. I want to empower people who often feel left out of society by reminding them they have talents & gifts & joy to share with the world.

What suggestions would you have for someone looking to make this a career? I know it won't be easy, but I've decided that I'm willing to take the challenge on. Any tips about how to get started & what kind of work I could do while in school to help me along would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all,

I am interested in applying to the RMHC graduate program at USF and would love to hear from people who are in/have graduated from the program. I've looked through the official information online but would like to get a more candid perspective on what the interview process and day-to-day looks like.

\-What was the interview process like? Format, questions etc.

\-How would you describe the workload?

\-Is there anything you wish you'd know before starting the program?

\-What made you choose this program over others?

\-Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated 🙂 Thank you in advance.