How Do I Become a Certified HIV Counselor?

Question

Any help specifically to Florida would be very much appreciated, but any advice would be a blessing!

Answer 1

In most states, you need to have some kind of licensure. This means being a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), counselor or psychologist and then attend specific classes that lead to a specialization in HIV to be a CERITFIED HIV counselor. This means in addition to a Masters degree (which is usually required to get these kinds of licenses) you must also attend additional post-graduate classes, seminars and other educational venues that offer college or continuiung education units (CEU). Even with a license you can still work with HIV. But, in most states, you cannot say you are an HIV counselor or claim specialization in ANY area unless you pursue more education in that specific area.

For now, if your are not already doing so, find an agency that you can volunteer for or even become employed with that works with HIV. You can work in the HIV field without any licensure but will be limited in what you can actually do.

Also, it really helps if you already have some kind of personal experience with HIV, like having a family member or close friend- and I don't mean just knowing someone arbitrarily or in passing- but having been involved with them on a very personal level like being a caretaker or just being there for them. If that is the case, then you will already have some major qualifications. If not, be careful, you may not want to go into or even stay in this field. Either way, be aware that compassion fatiuge can happen to anyone. I know from personal experience.

Please be aware that if you go into any type of counseling without a license or proper training, you may be subject to some serious legal ramifications. Most states require that you have a minimum of a Bachelors degree to do ANY type of counseling  but many now require a Masters degree as well. Check with local colleges and universities about these types of programs. Also, contact the Florida Counseling Association or the Florida state Marraige and Family Therapy Board and double check on what I have told you. I live in Nevada and know they have recently changed the laws here that require a mininmum of a Masters to go into the field of counseling.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Do you mean a certified HIV Test Counselor or a therapist who works with clients with HIV?

For the sake of answering your question I'll assume you mean a test counselor. Most states don't require you to be certified to work as one but some do. In order to become certified you can take a class from the Red Cross (HIV Basic) and do an internship, take the required classes from a community college that has an HIV test counselor program and then do an internship, or find a clinic that is offering to help you get certified in exchange for committing to volunteer for them.

Hope that helps! =)