[Personal Statement for Social work/counseling programs-- how personal should I get?]

Hello!

I am applying to social work/counseling programs and today is the first day I am sitting down and thinking about how i will be writing my personal statements/SoP. The reason I am in this field is because of a difficult home life and living with people who have mental illness. I want to be personal and real about why I am applying but I do not know what is considered too personal or how much is too much. Does anyone have any advice? Whether its the amount I should include or the topics I should definitely include/definitely want to avoid. thank you so much!

[What are the best Mental Health Counseling programs in the tri-state areas?]

Hello! 

I am a rising senior and a psychology major at The College of New Jersey, and am looking to apply to graduate school in the Fall. Currently, I am looking for an degree (preferrably MS) that would lead me to be a CMHC or LPC. I am not interested in social work programs at this time. There are important factors I am considering like tuition cost and acceptance rate, but I am looking for schools in the NY/NJ area, or Philadelphia. Are there any good programs/schools that anyone has knowledge of that would be in these locations and offer these degrees? ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL! I am pretty lost and don't have as much guidance as I would like!