The specific counseling techniques they employ differ according to the nature of their clients' difficulties. Counseling is a broad category, encompassing a range of related job titles.
Counseling requires a master's degree.
This degree is not needed for independent practice in counseling, but it does allow an individual to teach in the counseling field at a college or university. However, government jobs are likely to be limited by budgetary constraints. Accredited programs require approximately 60 semester hours of course and field work and take about two years of full-time study to complete. Many, if not most, programs allow students to pursue graduate degrees on a part-time basis. When researching programs, pay attention also to the concentrations offered within community counseling.