What Is Transformational Counseling?
Transformational Counseling is a term that refers to the method by which a counselor uses when working with clients. Rather than a specific specialization, this form of counseling is the outlook or process by which a counselor assists with positive mental health in patients.
This form of counseling involves the identification of restrictive or negative thoughts and emotions. Clients are informed of the power of their thought process during the treatment process and taught new and positive ways to view their lives, changes, and future.
Clients that are subject to Transformational Counseling are taught to recognize that their outlook can often influence their path on the journey to recovery. The goal of Transformational Counseling is to change the perspective of clients through therapy and self-motivation.
What Would a Transformational Counselor Do?
Counselors within this field can utilize common psychotherapies, talk therapy, music therapy, and art therapy as a means for connecting with their clients and encouraging positive psychological growth. Treatment plans are developed on an individual basis, which can increase the effectiveness of the program for each person served.
If you are intrigued by this perspective in counseling, our team encourages you to read more in the guide below. Educational training and licensure can be important steps for you to take prior to working with clients in the field.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
---|---|---|
Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Learn MoreFull-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available |
Walden University
MS in School Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required |
School counselors help students overcome obstacles and shape successful futures. Walden’s online MS in School Counseling program will give you a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices while enabling you to gain hands-on experience. Learn More |
Walden University
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required |
Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Learn More |
Grand Canyon University
Master's Degree in Counseling
HLC and NASAC Accredited |
✔ Online
|
Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's degree emphases include: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders, Christian Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Trauma. Designed to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. As a private university, GCU has the same in-state and out-of-state tuition. Learn More |
Liberty University
MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Online with required intensives |
Our CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling degree online can help you become an ethical, well-trained mental health counselor with the knowledge, values, and skills you need to empower others to make positive changes in their lives. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More |
The Chicago School
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's Degree Required. |
This online CMHC program prepares students for a career offering mental health services in a variety of settings; helping diverse clients through issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, stress, relationship difficulties, and suicidal impulses. Learn More |
Pepperdine University
Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
|
✔ Online
No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree Required |
Bachelor's holders can prepare to become a licensed professional counselor online. With no GRE scores required to apply, the 24 month online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine allows you to advance your career and be a catalyst of change. Learn More |
Mid-America Christian University (MACU)
Master of Science (MS) in Counseling
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
✔ Online
100% Online |
Expand your impact with an online counseling degree rooted in faith-based practice. Mid-America Christian University offers the largest Master of Science (MS) in Counseling program in Oklahoma, with emphasis areas in addiction and substance abuse, applied behavioral science, clinical mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy. Explore the online MS in Counseling at MACU. Learn More |
NYU Steinhardt
Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
MPCAC Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE not required; Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required |
As few as 21 months to complete Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
What Degree Levels Are There For Transformational Counseling?
Any individual that is seeking a career working one-on-one with clients in the counseling setting should consider moving into counseling degree programs at the master's level. This is the minimum degree level for professional licensure, which is a requirement when providing mental health services to people in the field.
Bachelor's in Psychology or Counseling
This process begins with an undergraduate degree program. Since you are pursuing a degree in mental health and counseling, you should consider a bachelor's program that is relevant to your future career. Some professionals begin with a Bachelor's in Psychology, Counseling, or even Sociology.
Completion of the prerequisite bachelor's program takes around 4 years for most learners. It is at this level that you can gain insight into the development of normal and abnormal psychological disorders, review the effects of genetics and nature on individual development, and learn more about the development and growth of the field of psychology.
Masters in Counseling
Most professionals in this field obtain a minimum of a Master's in Counseling prior to working with clients in the field. Each state requires that counselors hold an accredited Master's in Counseling, pass the board examination for counselors, and hold licensure before accepting positions in the field.
Students that move beyond the master's level and pursue doctoral training in Transformational Counseling may learn more about current research in the field, leadership within the counseling environment, and the operation of counseling agencies as part of their degree program.
Online Master's Programs for this Program
Online learning has grown to be a popular option for upcoming Transformational Counselors. Online degree programs can provide students with the opportunity to learn at their own pace and on their own time.
If you currently hold a full-time position or are in need of flexibility with your courses, this could be the most beneficial route for you to pursue. The CACREP currently accredits online and traditional Master's in Counseling programs for you to enroll in.
In the online environment, students can attend their courses through their university's online learning platform. Each course may have diverse attendance expectations, with most requiring 2-3 log ins per week.
During your experience in the online classroom, you can participate in discussions, complete assigned readings, and conduct research within you subject area. Some teachers even provide live lectures that students can attend from their own homes.
Online Master's in Counseling programs can contain the same curriculum and have the same completion time as traditional degree programs. In some cases, instructors that teach on-campus courses may also teach online courses within the same semester.
As technology continues to develop and improve, online degree programs may continue to grow into a preferred method for obtaining higher education in the field of Transformational Counseling.
Are There Transformational Counseling Online Programs?
Since Transformational Counseling is a relatively new method or technique used by current counselors, it is not currently offered in its own degree program. Some certificate programs may offer training in different forms of Transformational Counseling – specifically those that use art and music therapy as a form of healing.
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs
One of the best methods for preparation in this counseling area is through the online Master’s in Counseling or Mental Health Counseling. These programs can provide you with the core understanding of mental health disorders and abnormal psychology, as well as the proven-effective counseling assessment and treatment techniques.
If you are interested in becoming a Transformational Counselor in your area, you are encouraged to seek out internship or supervised experience locations that utilize the counseling techniques that are most appealing to you. As you enter into the field, your experience and expertise can help you obtain positions that are related to your interests.
Since the training aspect of your licensure requirements can last 2-3 years, choosing a therapist that aligns with your field can help you get a foot into the door in facilities with your style of counseling. Some universities can even assist you with setting up an internship while in their programs.
Top Programs and Availability
Pursuing your degree online can be a great way to balance a busy lifestyle with continuing education. There are numerous programs in multiple states that can offer you the convenience of online learning with a high quality result.
Marshall University Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
One university that students often review when seeking reliable online programs is Marshall University. This school offers an online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to students interested in pursuing careers as professional counselors.
This online program consists of a review curriculum that includes treatment components, assessment and diagnosis, and ethical considerations for upcoming professional counselors. Most students can complete this reliable program within 2-3 years.
North Carolina State University Master’s in Counseling
North Carolina State University is another accredited provider of online Master’s in Counseling programs. NCSU’s degree programs are open to applicants all over the country and can provide you with training relevant to treatment in the general mental health setting.
This program also consists of 3 years of course work and practice that counts towards your graduation requirements. As part of your experience at this school, you can also take advantage of mentor assistance when locating a placement for your supervision experience.
Sample Courses for the Masters
Students that are considering a career in Transformational Counseling may often seek out information about the degree programs that can lead them into that career field. This can include a look at the courses and topics that they are required to engage in during the degree process.
The curriculum of each program can vary, with some offering alternative names and titles for courses within their program. Since programs leading to licensure must hold accreditation, a lot of the accredited programs may have similar course offerings to meet this standard.
Multicultural Counseling
Courses like Multicultural Counseling can provide students with the opportunity to view counseling from an open-minded perspective. In order to be an effective counselor, you must understand and be knowledgeable of different cultures, family expectations, and diverse belief systems.
This course can help students grasp diversity from the counseling perspective so that they can provide meaningful care to a wide variety of clients in the field. This course can also introduce students to new ways of life and experiences from a multicultural perspective.
Clinical Assessment in Counseling
Clinical Assessment in Counseling is a course that outlines the ethical and procedural expectations of assessing clients in the field. This process is outlined from the initial assessment, procedures for implementing assessments, analyzing and interpreting results, and implementation of a treatment plan.
The assessment guidelines and ethical expectations of providers may also be a huge component in this course for new learners being introduced to these procedures. This course is typically taken prior to courses on treatment and intervention.
Path to Working in this Area
Once you have identified Transformational Counseling as your field of interest, you should begin searching for a degree program as your first big step. Undergraduate degree programs can be found in both traditional and online format at universities across the country.
Bachelors
Your 4-year experience in a bachelor’s program can help you practice generalized skills in writing, history, and psychology. The purpose of undergraduate degree programs is to establish readiness for learners in general education and specialization components.
GRE
At the point of your graduation, you can choose to move directly into entry-level positions in the field or move quickly into a graduate level program. Some students may even take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as a means for qualifying for high-demand master’s programs.
Master’s in Counseling
A Master’s in Counseling is a reliable and accredited degree choice for individuals considering careers in Transformational Counseling. Not only is this the preferred degree program for therapists, but it can also provide graduates with alternative and widespread career options in general counseling.
This master’s program typically takes around 3 years for most students to complete. The learning aspect of the program is partnered with a practical element that students can complete once they have graduated.
Licensure
If you are seeking out careers in Transformational Counseling, it can be beneficial to locate a currently licensed counselor in this discipline to work with during your supervised work experience. This internship can provide you with experience relevant to your treatment field, as well as daily access to the expertise of current providers.
The 2-3 year supervision experience component is a requirement of licensure. Once you have completed this step, you can sign up to take the National Counselors Examination. This exam can lead to board certification, which is also a step towards receiving your license.
Completion of all of these steps can lead you into the application process for licensing in your state. Most states require that you submit test scores, transcripts, and documentation of supervision to be considered for counseling licensure.
Important Transformational Counseling Organizations to Know
All of the hard work and dedication put into the acquisition of your counseling license can lead to feelings of excitement and pride. As you transition into careers in Transformational Counseling, it can be beneficial to become a member of professional organizations with like-minded professionals.
American Mental Health Counselors Association
The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is an organization that seeks to continuously increase the quality of education and ethical behavior in the field of mental health counseling, and can be a valuable resource to current mental health professionals in the field.
Counselors from several different specializations can join this organization in order to participate in change, meet others with similar values, and share knowledge. This organization can also provide learning resources, support, and advocacy to its members.
Emotional Transformation Therapy International Association
The Emotional Transformation Therapy International Association (ETTIA) is another professional organization that welcomes Transformational Counselors from all over the world. This agency fosters growth in Transformational Counseling and acts as a resource to current and upcoming counselors in this field.
The most widespread counseling organization in the U.S. is currently the American Counseling Association (ACA). The ACA invites counselors from all specialties and ranks to join its organization in an attempt to provide well-rounded and in-depth information to its members.
As part of any of these organizations, you can have access to current findings in the field, new theories, scheduled conferences, and even experimental studies related to the field of counseling. The support and networking provided by these organizations can be extremely valuable to upcoming counselors in the field.
Transformational Counselor Career Options
Transformational Counseling is a therapeutic technique that focuses on a client’s perspective and determination for growth. Counselors that utilize this form of counseling can pursue careers in a wide variety of different counseling settings focused on healing and supporting their clients.
The most common career setting for Transformational Counseling professionals is within the general mental health setting. Mental health cooperatives, counseling centers, and mental health rehabilitation facilities may employ Transformational Counselors as a means for providing clients with diverse and all-inclusive treatment.
In this setting, you could work as an independent counselor with adults or adolescents that are struggling with depression, anxiety, or even serious mental illnesses. Some treatment centers may also specialize specifically in Transformational Counseling techniques.
Art and Music Therapy Counseling Therapists sometimes utilize Transformational Counseling as a means for reaching their clients. If you are interested in working in this aspect of counseling, there are art and music certification programs for upcoming therapists in this area.
Transformational Counselors can work in businesses and organizations that wish to provide continued mental health support to their employees, or even in school systems providing wellness programs for their students. This type of counseling can be extremely beneficial in settings that involve drastic change and growth.
Receiving your license in counseling can lead you into diverse fields throughout your career. Some counselors choose to work in private practice, while others join teams of counselors using holistic treatments for their clients.