#Counselors Help: Welcome to Counseling Awareness Month

April has arrived and we welcome the month with open arms! This month ushers in the first glimpses of spring and of course Counseling Awareness Month.  The American Counseling Association established Counseling Awareness month back in 2002.

This year’s theme focuses on who counselors are, what they do and how they can help you. In order to help answer some of the questions this year’s theme highlights, we decided to interview some counselors to learn more about who they are, what drew them to the helping profession, their approach to helping, and what they’ve learned from this work along the way.

We interviewed Caitlin Knight, LCPC. She has been a counselor for the past 20 years. Beginning her professional career working with adults with severe and persistent and mental illness, she has spent the last 16 years working as a child and adolescent therapist.

How did you decide to become a counselor? What drew you to this profession?

As a psychology major in my undergraduate years we were required to complete an internship to graduate. I did a semester long internship at a community agency that serves adults with severe and persistent mental illness. I loved getting to know and listening to the stories of each of the clients that attended their day program. The counselors that I was supervised by and got to observe were so patient, compassionate and dedicated to their work. That experience propelled me into wanting to help others with their mental health.

Is there an area of counseling that you specialize in? How did you decide this was the specialization for you?

For the last 16 years I have specialized in working with kids and teens. I love working with this age so much! Kids and teens these days are more aware of their own mental health and will vocalize when feeling they need to see a counselor. While I enjoy working with a variety of presenting issues, I especially enjoy working with kids and teens that are experiencing anxiety and low self-confidence.  

During your time as a counselor, what would you say you’ve learned most from your clients?

The power of resiliency for sure. This has been something I have had the privilege of witnessing during my work with adults with severe mental illness and in my work with kids and teens for the last 16 years.

In your own words, how can working with a counselor help people?

Making the decision to begin seeing a counselor can be an intimidating one for sure. Counselors can help with providing a comfortable, non-judgmental and supportive space for those to talk about the everyday problems and challenges they face. We can provide guidance, problem solving and strategies to help with the stresses of everyday life. For kids and teens, we help to teach them the tools to overcome and handle the challenges that come with growing up and being a young person in today’s world.

How do you enjoy spending your time outside the office?

I enjoy spending time with my family, immersing myself in nature, and reading books of all genres.