Becoming a grief counselor is a rewarding journey. If you’re still in high school, talk to your guidance counselor about adding courses in psychology, communications and any health-related courses, if available at your school. As you approach your graduation date, you’ll need to plan on earning a bachelor’s degree.
You do not need to earn a bachelor’s degree that is specifically focused on grief counseling, although you certainly could do so if you wish. For example, you could earn a general counseling or psychology degree without a concentration. After graduating with your baccalaureate mental health degree, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree in order to qualify to pursue licensure.
Other options include earning a doctoral degree and/or a graduate certificate, although these are optional. In addition to earning a master’s degree, you’ll need to complete a supervised clinical internship and then pass a national certification exam in order to obtain state licensure.
After high school, the first step in the process of how to become a grief counselor is to earn a bachelor’s degree. There is some flexibility regarding the type of degree you can earn, although it should be a related degree such as a psychology, counseling, behavioral health or a social work degree. At this stage in your education, it isn’t necessary to choose a degree with a concentration; you could opt to take a general mental health degree if you prefer.
Your undergraduate mental health degree will enable you to develop a firm foundation of mental health competencies. You’ll explore the fundamentals of human behaviors and thought patterns. You’ll also study the scientific underpinnings of the profession, such as appropriate procedures in scientific observations, data collection and analysis.
Take advantage of your time as an undergraduate to pursue internship and job shadowing opportunities at mental health practices. These opportunities will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what clinicians do and will help you definitively determine whether you’ve selected the right career path for you.
Because all states require mental health counselors to be licensed in order to work in private practice, you will almost certainly want to enroll in a master’s degree program right after graduating with your bachelor’s degree.
One option is the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which can qualify graduates to sit for the state licensing exam. Another option is to choose a concentration in grief and bereavement counseling (depending on the university you choose). A Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Grief and Bereavement degree will enable you to take a deep dive into the theories and therapies involved with grief counseling.
However, depending on the school and specific program you choose, that type of degree might not necessarily lead to licensure, so be sure to double-check that. Do note that it’s certainly possible to practice as a grief counselor without clinical licensure, although employment opportunities will be somewhat limited. Furthermore, while some employers (e.g. hospice organizations) might not require clinical licensure, they do still require or express a preference for master’s-prepared counselors.
Although the specific curriculum will vary from one university and program to the next, you could generally expect to study topics such as the following:
- The history and evolution of grief theory research, including forms of loss and expressions of grief
- Biopsychosocial responses to grief and loss, including healthy strategies for coping with grief
- Theories and case studies on sociocultural aspects of death, dying, grief management and end of life challenges
It’s customary for master’s degree programs to require students to complete a master’s thesis, although not all programs may have such a requirement. A master’s thesis is usually about 40 to 80 pages in length, and it’s typically completed over the course of two semesters. You are not expected to complete original research for a master’s thesis.
A doctoral degree, such as a PhD, is required of aspiring psychologists; however, grief counselors do not need to earn one in order to obtain licensure and work in private practice. You might decide to return to school for your PhD at some point in the future, however.
Earning a doctorate in counseling can allow you to refresh your skills and knowledge, deepen your understanding of how best to help your clients and establish your professional credibility in the field. It may also enable you to pursue a teaching position at a university.
Another credential that you should strongly consider is a graduate certificate. A graduate certificate tends to take less time to earn than a master’s degree (exact lengths of programs vary by school and by the student’s schedule). However, do note that you’ll still need to earn a master’s in order to qualify to pursue licensure.
A graduate certificate can serve as an effective supplement to your master’s degree. This is particularly true if you earned a master’s degree in counseling, but not specifically in grief and bereavement counseling. A graduate certificate in grief and bereavement counseling will allow you to narrow your professional focus and build advanced knowledge in the area.
By earning a graduate certificate in grief and bereavement, you’re demonstrating to potential employers that you are serious about advancing in your field and helping patients to the best of your abilities. A graduate certificate requires fewer courses than a master’s degree, as it does not confer a degree. In addition, it doesn’t usually require the completion of a major project, such as a capstone course or a lengthy research paper.
Even after completing your master’s degree in mental health, you won’t officially become a licensed mental health counselor just yet. All states require licensure for mental health counselors before they can work in private practice. In addition to your academic credentials, you will need to prove that you have completed the required number of hours of supervised clinical experience in order to be eligible to pursue licensure.
The number of supervised field hours varies from state to state. Check with your state’s board of licensure to determine which steps you need to take and how many hours you’ll need to complete. As an aspiring grief and bereavement counselor, you may find opportunities to gain clinical hours within hospitals, social service agencies and community outreach programs.
During the course of your training, an experienced, licensed counselor will serve as your mentor and supervisor. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take notes. In addition, ask for feedback on your performance from time to time.
You can expect to conduct individual counseling sessions under supervision. You’ll perform assessments, develop treatment plans, administer counseling and provide appropriate referrals. You may also conduct group counseling sessions, such as a support group for bereaved individuals.
After graduation and passing the licensing exam, you will begin your supervised clinical hours in the profession leading, eventually, to independent licensure.
You should set aside plenty of time to study for the exam ahead of your test date. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) offers test preparation materials available for purchase. There are also other preparation materials offered by third-party entities, such as practice tests and flash cards.
After you successfully pass the exam and complete any other requirements established by your state, you’ll be ready to begin practicing as a mental health counselor who specializes in grief counseling. Note that you’ll need to complete continuing education credits periodically to keep your license active.
