April is Counseling Awareness Month

The American Counseling Association, the prominent organization for counseling professionals, came into existence in 1952 when four independent organizations (The National Vocational Guidance Association, The National Association of Guidance and Counselor Trainers, the Student Personnel Association for Teacher Education, and the American College Personnel Association) gathered in order to provide a greater voice for the profession. The organization and its members have made great strides in reducing stigma that was involved in seeing a counselor. Recently there have been movies and television shows involving counselors or therapists. Although they are often comedies, it does still indicate we are more comfortable discussing concerns with a professional who can provide insight, reassurance, and/or support in coping with life's circumstances.

Today there are a number of counseling specialities, including career work. A career counselor can assist you by listening to your concerns about your ability, or inability, to make decisions that relate to your work and/or career or to implement related plans. They can also discuss how your career impacts other aspects of your life. If needed, career counselors can also assist you with career assessments and the interpretation of the resulting information, to help you identify personal traits, qualities, skills, and interests and relate those to potential career options. Some career counselors can also assist you with components of a job search.

If you have concerns that you have not been able to work through or you are in the midst of or planning a career change, you may consider talking with a counselor. The Greater Cincinnati Counseling Association (found at http://cincinnaticounseling.com) or the American Counseling Association (www.counseling.org) can assist you in identifying counselors in various specialities located in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Mary Ann Davis, M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a confidential and personal voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.