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How Interactive Training Tools Improve the Skills of Counselors

Realistic short simulations let students experience what a distance counseling session might look like.

If you want to be a mental health counselor or school counselor, a CACREP accredited master’s program can provide the academic foundation you need to prepare for licensure or certification.

School counselors and licensed clinical mental health counselors need strong interpersonal, listening, and communication skills.1,2 Therefore, you may want to seek out an online counseling degree program with interactive tools can help you strengthen those competencies. Walden University offers an innovative skill-building tool that can help you do just that. In the accredited university’s online MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling degree program, you’ll use Skillsetter, a user-friendly practice tool, as you earn two powerful degrees.

Skillsetter lets you demonstrate and practice your skills by responding to clients in recorded mock counseling session videos. These interactions simulate situations you may experience as a school counselor or mental health counselor. Here’s how it works: Skillsetter shows you a “stimulus” video of a client or student. After watching the video, you’ll demonstrate your counseling skills in a response you’ll record using your web camera. Then, you’ll watch and assess your recorded response using a rubric.

Not happy with your response? No worries. You can build confidence and experience by practicing as often as you like. Once you’re satisfied with your simulated interaction and your self-scored rubric, you’ll submit your recording to your faculty member for review and grading. And because it’s an on-demand tool, you can watch and respond when it’s convenient for you.

These short simulations mimic small portions and isolated moments of potential distance counseling sessions – which is an important part of telemental health. This is especially relevant in today’s environment where licensed professional counselors and their clients rely heavily on virtual platforms because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Skillsetter can help you build skills you’ll use to improve outcomes in your counseling career, whether you choose to work as a school counselor or a licensed clinical mental health professional.

Widen Career Vistas in a Dual Degree Program

When you complete Walden’s master’s program, you’ll graduate with two degrees in counseling. The MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling prepares you to pursue licensure or certification as both a mental health counselor and school counselor.

In this online dual degree program, you can select the General Program or choose one of the following specializations: Military Families and Culture, Addiction Counseling, Forensic Counseling, Trauma and Crisis Counseling, or Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling.

Walden’s online counseling degree program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation affirms the program has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession and is a requirement for licensure in many states.

A leader in distance learning for more than 50 years, Walden offers working professionals the flexibility to earn mental health degrees online while continuing to work and engage in family life. Features such as rolling start dates, comprehensive student support services, and career-specific tools like Skillsetter can help you earn a degree to meet the career goals you’ve set. And with two counseling degrees, you’ll have the tools to help a variety of clients achieve their academic, career, and life goals.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling degree program. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

1Source: www.bls.gov/OOH/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm#tab-4
2Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-4

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.  

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