Becoming a depression counselor takes work, and some few years at school. But to become a truly successful depression counselor, you must also have certain in-born qualities. The ability to listen is obviously of great importance, but you need great communication skills also. A counselor must be non-judgmental, but have deeply rooted values, and a great sense of ethics. As would be expected, a counselor must also be confidential, and have a comfortable, trustworthy presence. Diplomacy is also a much-needed skill, along with the ability to offer help and assistance without being over-bearing, or seemingly unfair or forceful.
There are many different types of counseling positions out there, including but not limited to: school counseling jobs and marriage counseling. All of these counselors are important, and are directly involved with helping all sorts of different people, all at different stages in their lives. But a depression counselor is unique and especially needed in the world today.
The current financial crisis, life disappointments, cases of abuse—the reasons for depression are virtually numberless, depending on individual personality and situation. Counselors have the knowledge and ability to help people out of depression, and above all they are trusted advisors.
Children and adults alike can suffer from depression, and one needs help just as surely as the other. Though there are specific child counseling jobs, a depression counselor has the chance to interact with children as well as adults who are seeking help.
Children can easily become depressed in the school environment. Between feelings of social rejection and worries of self-worth, doubt and depression can quite easily become the result. Bullying, excessive, hurtful teasing by one's peers, a fall in grades—all of these have the potential to lead to depression.
Children at home can also find many reasons to become depressed—divorce of parents is a very real threat to a child's sense of security, more now than ever, with divorce levels as high as they are. Children may feel responsible, or they might just feel the lack of stability—either way, serious depression can result. When anyone becomes depressed, the need to work diminishes, and for a child that fact does not change. If a child faces depression, the chance that that child will shrivel up and become a completely different person is a very real fear. Where once there was trust, fear and uncertainty reins. The once existing imagination of a bright, active child can dim until there is no desire to shine, or be unique. As a depression counselor, you would have the opportunity to help that child rediscover himself, and restore that inner light.
Adults also suffer from depression—no one is exempted from the possibility of this very real threat. Stressful or unfulfilling job situations can aide depression along just as much as self-doubt, or discord in the home. And even adults can be bullied, and may need help in that respect. Everyone wants to be accepted by their peers, and when that acceptance does not come, or the attention given is decidedly negative, a sense of failure is sure to come.
Another big reason for depression is death. Death of family members, death of friends—Death is a prominent part of life, and a very painful time for those left behind. Again, this is the perfect opportunity for depression to descend, and often it does. The effects can be crippling, and seemingly impossible to recover from. As a depression counselor, you would be able to make such an unbelievable difference during this extremely difficult time.
There are medications which help out those suffering depression, and depression counselors strive to help in that very cause. Counselors are knowledgeable, dependable, helpful, and willing to offer assistance. The field of counseling is exciting, meaningful work, and there are so many job opportunities.
If you have a desire to become a counselor of some type, a depression counselor would be a very rewarding choice.
