What is a common struggle experienced while practicing Counseling Psychology?

You’ll be dealing with highly agitated parents and students. If either of these people are coming to you they are feeling at wit’s end abs looking for help. Stay calm and go through your matrix of interventions. Don’t let them push for an IEP assessment or 504 plan because those things take time to do. Those interventions might ultimately be the right step but in the meantime you’ve got to be able to help the parents or student right now with some ideas.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I would see one struggle is self care. We often are so focused on taking care of others that we forget to take care of ourselves and give us time to unwind and relax. I also think that one struggle could be hearing difficult stories from people, and being able to not let it weigh too much on your mind or your heart. I once heard "every good counselor had their own counselor." And I take that to mean that everyone needs someone to talk to. And sometimes counselors need to talk through some of their tough clients with a colleague or a counselor of their own. Self care is important!

You’ll be faced with anxious or angry parents or students in some kind of crisis. You’ve got to be able to stay calm in all the situations and present a confident and assuring presence to them. Good luck in your career quest.