Careers in counseling military families: What should I know?

Thinking about pursuing a job in counseling for military families. Does anyone have insights on what qualifications are needed, and what the job entails? Also, what are the biggest challenges and rewards in this field?

The path to counseling military families often involves obtaining a degree in counseling, psychology, or social work, followed by specialized training. A degree in marriage and family therapy with a focus on military families would be particularly applicable. Start by obtaining a bachelor's degree and then pursue a master's degree in one of these fields. To practice independently, you'll likely need to complete post-degree supervised clinical work, typically 2 years, and pass a state-licensed exam.

Additionally, having an understanding of the unique struggles military families face such as long separations, frequent movements, dealing with loss and PTSD, and the stressors of living in a military environment would be beneficial. Certifications like the Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) certification can provide necessary additional expertise in dealing with military-related mental and emotional issues.

The job involves offering psychological support to individuals, couples, and groups who are navigating military life. The specifics of a day's work can differ greatly depending on whether you're practicing privately, working at a school, an on-base community service, or a veterans’ hospital.

As for challenges, it’s important to remember that working with this population means dealing with a high degree of emotional turmoil, trauma, and instability due to the unique career demands of military personnel. The work can be intense, and vicarious trauma is something to be aware of. Seeing clients' progress can sometimes be slow, unexpected setbacks can be disheartening, and there can be administrative hurdles and bureaucracy when working within military systems.

Now, speaking about the rewards - few things match the reward of making a substantial and direct impact on people in need. Helping military personnel and their families manage stress, overcome obstacles, and progress towards their goals can be profoundly satisfying. In addition, the military does value and actively supports mental health initiatives, so the support infrastructure is often in place. Being a part of these families' resilience building is itself a unique reward.

Research is your best friend here. Reach out to professionals in the field, speak with advisors at your school, and take advantage of resources such as the American Counseling Association to gather more information.

Overall, patience, empathy, a deep understanding of military life, and a commitment to handling the highs and lows are all part of a career as a military family counselor.