Basic Counseling Skills
  • Home
  • A. TECHNIQUES
  • Pattern of Sessions
  • Active Listening
  • Body Language
  • Asking Questions
  • Paraphrasing/Tone
  • Summary
  • Note Taking
  • Homework
  • Goodie Bag/Fun Stuff
  • Technique References
  • B. THEORIES
  • Client Centered
  • Holistic/Biopsychosocial
  • Strengths Based
  • Cognitive/Behavioral
  • Solution Focused
  • Existential Therapy
  • Letting Go
  • Theory References
  • C. SAMPLE SESSIONS
  • 1. Client Centered Counseling
  • 2.&3. No Show/Cancellation
  • 4. Strengths Based
  • 5. Cognitive Beh. Counseling
  • 6. Holistic Health Counseling
  • 7. Solution Focused
  • 8. Existential Counseling
  • 9. Becoming Unnecessary
  • D. SELF HELP
  • Journaling
  • Mood Mapping
  • Whole Health Check In
  • Community Resources
  • Ten Things I Like About Me
  • Common Lies We Tell
  • Goal-Setting
  • A Why to Bear a How
  • Happy People
  • Self-Help References
  • E. CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • F. SITE MAP
  • G. CONTACT ME!
  • H. READERS' CONTRIBUTIONS
    • Addiction and Sleep - Jessica S
    • Alcohol Counseling - Carol G.
    • Depression and Addiction Rehab - Katherine C
    • Quit Smoking and Alcohol Rehab
    • Reducing Stigma - Patricia S.
    • Suicidal Thoughts and Alcohol Abuse - Julia W
    • Recovery Village - William B.
    • Bereavement Counseling - Sally W
    • Personality Traits - Sally W
    • 3 Solutions to Worst Fears - Paige M
    • 30 Min Reduce Anxiety - Paige M
    • Restorative Power of Arts & Crafts - Sally W
    • 3 Ways - Rid of Sunday Scaries
    • Conquer Fear of Flying - Sally W.
    • Document Anxiety through Journaling - Sally W
    • Career Options - Sally W
    • School Counselor ToolKit - Serena K.
    • Psychology Degrees - Lindsay F
    • Depression and Addiction Rehab - Katherine C
    • Diagnosing Depression - Melissa M
    • PostPartum Depression - Tracey F
    • Assisted Living Options for People with Disabilities
    • Wheelchair Home Safety - Michael M
    • Cerebral Palsy Resources
    • Counseling and Persistent Pain - Sally W
    • Mesothelioma Guide - Corine F.
    • Mesothelioma Resources
    • Finding Start Up Success - Eva B
    • Cleaning House for Better Health - Cheryl C.
    • Destress/Clean Home - Cheryl C
    • Financial Stress - Sally W.
    • Financial Debt - Sally W
    • Be Happy - Hazel G.
    • Gut Health & Mental Health - Sally W
    • How Having a Skincare Routine
    • Counseling the Impoverished - Sally W
    • Conquering Interviews - Eva B
    • Daily Journal Routine - Paige M
    • 4 Journaling Tips for Beginners - Shristi Patni
    • Drug Dangers - Rebecca P.
    • Recall Report - Laura P.
    • Living Mindfully - Mollie Wilson
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Sally W.
    • Couns. Resources - Tim C.
    • Practical Financial SKills - Johanne H
    • Nutrition to Help Anxiety - Sally W
    • Retirement Career Change - Sally W
    • Managing Phobias - Sally W
    • Healing Power of Pets - Sally W
    • Geriatric Counseling - Sally W
    • Counseling Seniors with Anxiety - Sally W
    • Senior Resources - Claire S.
    • Addiction and Sleep - Jessica S
    • Better Sleep - Better Health - Cheryl C
    • Treating Insomnia - Sally W
    • Tuck Sleep - Kellen S
    • De-Fogging Brain - Sally W
    • Recovery from Sports Injury
    • Improving Mental Clarity - Sally W
    • Indoor Air Quality Can Affect Mental Health - Sally W
    • Stress on Health - Sally W.
    • Stress Management - Sally W
    • Suicidal Thoughts and Alcohol Abuse - Julia W
    • Summer Side Gigs for Teachers - Joyce W
    • Tobacco in 2017 - Mary G.
    • Take Control of Your Life - Dorothy Watson
    • No More Winter Blues - Rufus Carter
    • How I Put Anxiety Attacks on Pause
    • 8 Effective Tips for Improving Mental Health - Camille Johnson
    • Manage And Reduce Stress For Your Employees With These Tips - Rufus Carters
    • Moving Forward When Grief Intrudes in Your Life - Camille J
    • Working Remotely - Emma Grace Brown
    • Unlock Greater Confidence - Rufus Carter
    • Coping With a Mid-Life Crisis - Rufus Carter
    • 6 Self-Care Tips - Laurie Abner
    • Help a Loved One After the Loss of a Spouse - Rufus CarterNew Page
    • Relocating After a Tragic Loss - Lucille Rosetti
    • Guidelines for Teens Who Want to Thrive as Entrepreneurs - Lucille Rosetti
    • 5 Common Lifestyle Habits That Can Cause Skin Damage - Andrew Mark

Retirement Career Change by Sally W.

Using Your Golden Years To Shine: Could You Be A Counselor?

Are you one of the 50% of retirees choosing a "nontraditional" retirement?  As the number of people aged over 60 remaining in the workforce rises, it’s clear that for many people, continuing in employment is a necessity.  For some, it is simply the most financially viable option. For others, it provides mental and social stimulation, preventing feelings of isolation or low self worth.  Perhaps you’ve revisited your goals for this chapter of your life and are considering whether you could be a good counselor.  Here’s why older counselors can add real value to their clients.

Empathy from experience

Studies have shown that older people may be more motivated to help others and to show emotional empathy, than members of the younger generation.  That’s not to say a retiree will have endless patience, but it is often easier to empathize and understand people’s feelings, worries and anxieties if you’ve lived a little and made a few mistakes along the way.  Coming into counseling with more life experience can make you a more self-aware counselor, as well as helping you to listen non-judgmentally to your clients.

Client commitment

At a time when the culture of being busy is so popular - nearly half of all Millennials are so-called “work martyrs” - retirees have a huge advantage in that they are generally less committed elsewhere.  This means that they can give their clients the physical and mental time and flexibility they need. This is only really possible when your own children are raised, you feel more personally fulfilled, your mortgage is paid off and you’re building your nest egg so you can enjoy this chapter of life.  Older counselors can have a wonderful sense of freedom, which in turn filters through to clients.

Professional know-how

One huge advantage of coming to counselling as a second or late-life career is that you bring the benefit of professional experience with you.  Whatever your previous employment experience, there will be transferable skills or knowledge gained which you can use to your clients’ advantage.  Whether it’s the ability to set achievable objectives, honed problem solving skills, or simply being at ease with building a rapport with a variety of people, lessons learned in the workplace can be very useful in becoming an effective counselor.  Clients are also more likely to respect your breadth of knowledge and see how you can add real value to their situation.

If, like so many of those approaching retirement age, you’re open to a new adventure, counseling could be an excellent opportunity.  If you enjoy listening to others, offering a non-judgmental ear and helping to place them on a path to solutions, then you may find it to be a hugely rewarding career.  Your clients will gain a lot too, from the benefit of your experiences gained over the years, both in and out of the workplace. Your golden years could be a real time to shine, adding a little light and warmth to other people’s lives.
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