The societal costs of mental health issues are growing increasingly high as well. Studies show that the economic burden of major depressive disorder (MDD) is around $210.5 billion a year. If you are curious about what a mental health counselor can do for you or thinking about entering this profession yourself, there are a few important things you should know. Learn more about what these professionals do, when you might want to consider seeing one, and what you need to do if you are interested in becoming a mental health counselor.
Where Do Mental Health Counselors Work?
All people face different psychological challenges at various points in life, and sometimes they need the help of a professional to cope with these difficulties. It can sometimes be confusing to determine what type of help is needed, particularly because there are so many different types of professionals who specialize in treating mental health issues. Counselors work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to deal with mental health issues and improve mental well-being. You might find professional mental health counselors working in a wide range of settings, including:
Mental health clinicsSchoolsPrivate practicesHospitalsCommunity health centersCorrectional facilitiesBusinessesColleges and universitiesSocial service agenciesGovernment agencies
People experiencing symptoms of psychological illnesses such as depression, phobias, and anxiety may choose to see a mental health counselor for counseling and psychotherapy services. Counselors may also help people experiencing social difficulties, emotional problems, addictions and substance abuse, grief, self-esteem issues, and marital difficulties. Some mental health counselors choose to work with specific populations such as children, older people, or college students.
What Do Mental Health Counselors Do?
Mental health counselors perform a variety of tasks. If you’re looking for a counselor for yourself or a loved one, you may be able to learn more about what this professional does on their website, in their marketing brochures, or within other marketing materials. If you’re interested in working in this role, what a mental health counselor does for that agency or facility is often provided in the job posting. Duties and responsibilities that you may find listed in a mental health counselor job description include:
Assesses and diagnoses clients experiencing symptoms of psychological distress Provides psychotherapy to clients Talks to clients about their experiences, emotions, and thoughts Conducts group sessions with families Works with clients to set goals, develop a treatment plan, and gain insight through treatment Works with clients to identify situations, behaviors, and thoughts that interfere with their wellness and recovery Examines social issues that may influence a client’s mental well-being, including peer pressure, bullying, substance use, prejudice, work stress, financial challenges, and health issues Refers clients to other health professionals as well as to other resources in the community, such as other social services, job services, and support groups
Counseling tends to view individual needs within a humanistic context. Rather than focusing on dysfunction, counselors often see problems as arising from normal reactions to developmental changes or as difficulty dealing with specific life stages. As a result, counselors may focus on personal development by helping you learn the skills and coping abilities you need to deal with such life changes and stages effectively. Enhancing overall well-being by solving problems, improving resilience, encouraging healthy behaviors, and improving relationships is a key component of a counselor’s duties.
Mental Health Counselor Training
Many mental health counselors begin by earning a bachelor’s degree in a human services field such as psychology, sociology, or social work. While having a background in social science is ideal, people with undergraduate degrees in other fields can also enter the field of counseling. This often requires completing a number of basic prerequisite courses before gaining admission to an accredited master’s degree program.
Basic Educational Requirements
The minimum requirements for a licensed mental health counselor are a master’s degree in counseling and at least two to three years of supervised practice under a licensed professional.
Licensing and Certification
States typically require a minimum of 2,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised practice before gaining licensure; however, it is important to check with your state’s licensing board to learn more about specific requirements. Always be sure to check the guidelines in the state where you plan to study and practice. Licensing requirements for mental health counselors vary from state to state, and specific titles for these professional designations may vary as well. Mental health counselors may be known as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of Mental Health (LPCC), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). In most states, the title of “Mental Health Counselor” is a protected title, which means that only people who have met certain state requirements may legally use that title. In addition to these basic education and licensure requirements, some counselors also choose to become certified. While this certification is purely voluntary, it is an additional qualification that can make professional counselors more appealing to both employers and potential clients.
Continuing Education
Even after finishing licensure requirements, counselors must continue to stay abreast of current practices by completing a number of continuing education courses over the course of their professional lives. While this means that you will need to continue taking courses throughout your career, it also allows you to stay current and explore new information and techniques to better hone your skills as a counselor.
Mental Health Counselor Skills
Aside from training and education, what type of skills should you have in order to succeed in this profession? Becoming an effective mental health counselor requires:
A solid knowledge base of psychology, therapy, and counselingCritical thinking skillsExcellent listening skillsProblem-solving skillsSocial skills The ability to communicate effectively
Pros and Cons to Consider
If you are interested in becoming a mental health counselor, it is important to consider both the potential benefits of the career as well as some of the possible drawbacks. One of the greatest rewards of being a mental health counselor is being able to have a direct impact on the lives and well-being of clients. Counseling allows professionals to both prevent and treat psychological distress, which can help clients lead healthier and happier lives. One potential downside to consider is the fact that the job can sometimes be stressful since counselors sometimes need to intervene and assist clients who may be emotional, angry, or even combative. Good stress management and emotional regulation abilities can be important in maintaining a good balance in your life as you juggle the rigors of your job and other life responsibilities and goals.
Mental Health Counselor Salary
The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors held nearly 319,400 jobs in 2019, with the largest percentage working in outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers. The following are additional findings from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The top 10% of mental health counselors earn an annual wage of more than $78,700.The bottom 10% of mental health counselors earn less than $30,590.Areas with the highest rates of employment included: outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers, individual and family services, and hospitals (state, local, and private).The highest-paying areas of employment for mental health counselors include government positions ($54,070), hospitals ($50,460), and individual and family services ($47,580).
Individual salaries can vary depending upon a wide range of factors, including geographic location and the field in which one practices. While mental health counselors typically earn less than psychologists, this is also a factor that makes them appealing to insurers. Mental health counselors are able to receive third-party reimbursement for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of psychological conditions, often at a less expensive rate than some other health professionals. The need for mental health counselors will be particularly strong in fields that deal with substance abuse and serve military veterans.
Reasons to See a Mental Health Counselor
People often face mental health challenges throughout life. Such struggles can include anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, and difficulty in coping with life’s stresses and challenges. Some of the reasons you might want to seek the assistance of a mental health counselor:
You are experiencing repeated, uncontrollable thoughts or memories related to a recent traumatic experience.Life seems intense and unmanageable.You feel uninterested in things you used to enjoy and disconnected from the people around you.You have been using substances to cope with your problems.Your anxiety feels overwhelming.Your relationships feel strained and not what they used to be.You just feel like you would benefit from talking about your concerns with a professional.
Remember, you don’t need to be experiencing symptoms of a psychological disorder to seek help from a mental health professional. Counselors, as well as other mental health professionals, can help you with a wide range of concerns, from stress to health to relationships. Whether your goal is to gain insight into your own behaviors, become a better spouse or parent, or become more motivated to achieve your goals, consulting a mental health professional can help. If you are looking for a counselor, you can use the resources provided by the National Board of Certified Counselors to locate certified counselors in your area. You can also discuss your symptoms and needs with your primary care physician who can then refer you to a mental health counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
A Word From Verywell
Mental health counselors play a vital role in the delivery of psychological services. If you feel that you might benefit from counseling, talk to your doctor to learn more about your options and if a mental health counselor might be the right fit for your needs. If you are interested in a career in this field, spend some time researching what you will need to do in order to become a counselor. Mental health counseling is just one career option in this area, and you might want to consider related careers such social worker, clinical psychologist, marriage and family therapist, or counseling psychologist.
