Ed---
The first credential of a good counselor is not to be crazy or abnormal, yourself. Looking around my Abnormal Psychology class at Emory, it appeared that about 20% of us were normal and the rest were in there trying to figure out their "crazy." My University had all the journals needed in their Medical Libraries to allow for Masters level research.
I served as Chaplain to the Wake County Juvenile Court while doing special study in counseling at SEBTS. We hubbed around Dorothea Dix State Hospital and its Chaplain so we were exposed to the realities of a mental hospital.
I have counseled with numerous teens and adults as an Associate and Senior Pastor.
Quite frankly, I am concerned about many "over-trained" and remote "professionals" I have encountered. The basics of good counseling involve a solid background in understanding how personalitiy works and have enough perceptions to see through the pretense of ego protection. If you possess a "listening ear" you may be a better counselor than some remote professionals I have encountered.
Now, if you think you know more and are better credentialed, let me know, buddy
Richard Ryan is in your part of the country and I have no knowledge beyond the reputation of his school.