Career Counseling

Clinically Reviewed By: Corey Pitts, MA, LCMHC

What is career counseling?

Career counseling is an ongoing process, and might be a lifelong process, where individuals work with a counselor to figure out what they want from their work and how to get there. It gives individuals space to sort through goals, explore different career options, and make decisions that feel right. Along the way, individuals might reflect on their experiences, talk through what's been working (and what hasn't), and build a plan they may actually follow through on.

While career counseling focuses on work, it may overlap with general therapy. Individual careers are often connected to stress, confidence, identity, and life circumstances. A licensed therapist may help individuals work through both career development and broader mental health concerns at the same time.

The individual career counseling process often includes:

• Getting a clearer sense of strengths, interests, and what matters to the individual

• Looking at different career paths and possibilities that could be a fit

• Talking through realistic, meaningful personal goals that feel right for where the individual is at

• Putting together a practical plan and career planning roadmap to help individuals move forward step by step

BetterHelp therapists may support individuals with career guidance and career advice while also assisting with managing challenges like anxiety or burnout.

What does a career counselor do?

Career professionals and career counselors may help individuals:

• Identify strengths, values, and interests

• Explore different industries, roles, or career directions, including pursuing a new career path

• Work through career transitions, job search strategies, or returning to the workforce

• Address emotional barriers tied to career decisions, such as anxiety or low confidence

Who can benefit from career counseling?

Career counseling and career services may be helpful at almost any stage of an individual’s working life. A major crisis isn't necessary to benefit. Counseling may be worth considering for those who:

• Feel unfulfilled or burnt out in their current role

• Aren't sure which career path fits them

• Are going through a job change, career shift, or job loss

• Want their work to better reflect their values and strengths

• Feel stressed, uncertain, or lacking confidence at work

Is career counseling only for people changing jobs?

Career counseling isn't just for big transitions. It may also be a resource for those who:

• Are early in their career and trying to map out their direction

• Want to grow in their current role, build leadership skills, or work more effectively with a team

• Are looking for better work-life balance or greater job satisfaction

• Want more clarity and confidence in career decisions

How can BetterHelp support your career journey?

BetterHelp connects individuals with a licensed therapist who may support their career goals while also helping them care for their mental health. Career concerns rarely exist on their own. Stress, anxiety, and self-esteem often play a role in how people think about their career options and make decisions.

Online therapy might make it easier to get support in a way that fits into everyday life. It's possible to:

• Schedule sessions at times that work best

• Meet from home or any private space

• Choose how to connect: video, phone, live chat, or messaging

By working on both the practical and emotional sides of a career, therapy may help people move forward with more clarity and confidence.

What to expect when you get started

Getting started with BetterHelp is simple and flexible:

1. Answer a few questions about needs and career goals

2. Get matched with a licensed therapist who fits those needs

3. Start sessions on a preferred schedule, from wherever feels comfortable

Online therapy reduces the concerns of commuting and waiting rooms. Conversely, you can start or stop therapy at any point given your preferences.

Can online therapy really help with career decisions?

Online career counseling has been shown to support stronger career decision-making skills and increased confidence. Having a consistent space to seek advice and talk things through may help individuals sort out competing priorities, clarify what matters most, and move past indecision.

Career choices are often influenced by stress, anxiety, or self-doubt. By addressing such factors in therapy, individuals may find it easier to think more clearly and take practical steps forward. Over time, this kind of support may help individuals feel more grounded and confident in the direction chosen.

BetterHelp career counselors look at the full picture. That means not only a professional journey but also the thoughts, stress, and emotions that come with it.

What are the benefits of career counseling?

Career counseling may be helpful when things feel unclear or a bit stuck. Talking it through with the right support might make individual options seem less overwhelming and easier to sort out:

• Gain a clearer sense of where a career could go

• Spot strengths and skills that might be getting overlooked

• Feel more confident taking the next step, even if it’s a small one

• Have support during a job change or uncertain period

• Feel less stressed about work and the decisions around it

• Align to a direction that corresponds with your personal values

Take the first step

For those trying to figure out their next move, career counseling may provide space to think things through and advance at their own pace. With BetterHelp, that support is available in a way that works with any schedule and lifestyle.

When ready to pursue career counseling, find a therapist at BetterHelp.

FAQs

Is career counseling the same as therapy?

No, but they may overlap. Career counseling focuses on professional goals and career exploration and decisions, while therapy addresses broader mental health concerns, and BetterHelp therapists may support both.

Can I get career counseling online?

Yes. Online career counseling is widely available and has been shown to effectively improve career decision-making skills.

Do I need to be unemployed to benefit from career counseling?

No, career counseling may benefit anyone at any stage of their career journey, including those seeking growth or greater fulfillment in a current role.

How long does the career counseling process take?

It varies by individual, but many people may begin gaining clarity after just a few sessions with a licensed counselor.

Can BetterHelp help with career-related stress and anxiety?

BetterHelp's licensed therapists may help individuals address the emotional challenges tied to career decisions, transitions, and workplace stress.