BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are mental health professionals who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have emotional, behavioral, or mental health conditions that limit their ability to communicate, form relationships, manage stress, or perform everyday activities including: coping with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship issues, substance use, etc.

LPCs examine each client and create a specialized treatment plan using counseling methods that help people to improve mental health, reduce distress, restore functioning, and prevent further issues. In addition, LPCs work with people to stop mental health problems before they worsen by creating wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more balanced lifestyles.

HOW DO I BECOME A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR?

To become a professional licensed professional counselor (LPC), you must obtain a master’s degree (60 semester hours) in counseling or a closely related field from a regionally accredited program (CACREP accreditation preferred) and complete post-graduate supervised experience. A licensed professional counselor must complete at least 6-7 years of college/professional education: four years of bachelor’s degree/pre-counseling coursework and two to three years of the professional graduate program. In order to be accepted to a counseling program, you will need prerequisite courses in the fields of psychology, statistics, human development, and English composition. A certain grade-point average (GPA) is usually required for the prerequisite courses. Some schools will also want the applicant to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Counseling study is rigorous and admission to accredited programs is extremely competitive.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN COUNSELING SCHOOL?

Once accepted into a counseling school, the courses will consist of classwork in counseling theories, ethics, human growth and development, assessment and diagnosis, group counseling, multicultural counseling, research methods, and psychopathology. The program also provides clinical experience and education in the direct care of clients in a health care or community facility. This includes how to perform an appropriate examination and evaluation of clients with a variety of mental health disorders, evidence-based treatment interventions, and crisis management. Most programs include 2-3 years of classroom, laboratory, and clinical work. Counseling students get supervised experience in areas such as community agencies, schools, and private practice settings.

LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

Licenses and Certifications

  • After finishing education requirements, graduates must apply for Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) status through the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners, pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE), complete 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience (2 years), and then apply for full LPC licensure. A criminal background check is required. Continuing education is typically required for licensed professional counselors to keep their license.
  • After gaining work experience, some licensed professional counselors choose to become nationally certified through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or pursue specialty certifications. National certification requires passing an exam and documented clinical hours.

o   Where do LPCs Practice?

  • Private practice clinics
  • Community mental health agencies
  • Hospitals and inpatient facilities
  • Schools and colleges
  • Skilled nursing or extended care facilities
  • Substance abuse treatment centers
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Correctional facilities
  • Research or education centers

Most LPCs work full time and most work during normal business hours. Some LPCs may work evenings or weekends to accommodate client schedules.

SALARY INFORMATION*

Mean annual wage for LA: $49,160
Mean annual wage by region:
Northwest
            Shreveport/Bossier and surrounding area: $41,670
North Central
            Monroe: $43,000
Central
            Alexandria: $39,170
Southwest
            Lake Charles and surrounding area: $39,170
South Central
            Lafayette: $42,500
            Baton Rouge: $47,940
Southeast
            Houma/Thibodaux: $41,000
            New Orleans/Metairie/Kenner: $41,020
            Hammond: $36,640
Note: salary can change depending on the what area of counseling a person works in such as private practice, agency, school, substance abuse, travelling, etc.

LOUISIANA SCHOOLS

Minimum Requirements to be Accepted
LSU – Baton Rouge:

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (last 60 hours)
  • GRE scores (if required by program)
  • Letters of recommendation, personal statement, and interview

University of Louisiana at Lafayette:

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Completion of prerequisite courses in psychology or related fields
  • Competitive admission based on GPA, GRE (if required), and committee review

PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES

American Counseling Association (ACA)
6101 Stevenson Avenue, Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22304
800-347-6647
counseling.org
Louisiana Counseling Association (LCA)
353 Leo Avenue
Shreveport, Louisiana 71105
318-861-0657
lacounseling.org

*Salary information taken from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_la.htm#21-1018