Counseling
COUNSELING
According to the 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling Consortium, counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
There are several professional counseling specialty areas. These areas are narrowly focused and require advanced counseling training.
Reference
American Counseling Association. (2019). 20/20: Consensus Definition of Counseling. Retrieved from Consensus Definition of Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
A clinical mental health counselor is a highly skilled professional who helps clients achieve emotional wellness. Clinical mental health counselors provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution (American Mental Health Counselors Association, 2017). These professionals work with a variety of clients and may specialize in areas such as trauma, addiction, or youth services.
- Evaluate clients’ mental and physical health, addiction, or problematic behavior and assess their readiness for treatment
- Develop, recommend, and review treatment goals and plans with clients and their families
- Assist clients in developing skills and behaviors necessary to recover from their addiction or modify their behavior
- Work with clients to identify behaviors or situations that interfere with their recovery
- Teach clients’ family members about addiction or behavior disorders and help them develop strategies to cope with those problems
- Refer clients to other resources and services, such as job placement services and support groups
- Conduct outreach programs to help people identify the signs of addiction and other destructive behavior, as well as steps to take to avoid such behavior
- Crisis Management
- A Bachelor’s Degree, earned at an accredited college or university. Students pursuing careers in counseling often select behavioral health related majors such as psychology, but there is no required major.
- A Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a closely related mental health/counseling discipline.
*Note: The core areas of mental health education programs are approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and related Educational Programs.
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors must:
- Earn a Master’s degree in counseling or a closely related mental health discipline;
- Complete a minimum of two years post-master’s clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional;
- Pass a state-developed or national licensure or certification examination.
Note* Each state has unique requirements. You can find more information about Clinical Mental Health Counselor certification here:
https://nbcc.org/Certification/CCMHC
https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements
The median national annual salary for mental health counselors is $42,840. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.
American Mental Health Counselors Association. (2017). Facts About Clinical Mental Health Counselors. Retrieved from https://amhca.site-ym.com/page/facts
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2019). Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
American Counseling Association. (2015). Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors, a state by state report. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements
National Board for Certified Counselors. (2019). Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Retrieved from https://nbcc.org/Certification/CCMHC
Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently. They work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living.
- Provide individual and group counseling to help clients adjust to their disability
- Evaluate clients’ abilities, interests, experiences, skills, health, and education
- Develop a treatment plan for clients, in consultation with other professionals, such as doctors, therapists, and psychologists
- Arrange for clients to obtain services, such as medical care or career training
- Help employers understand the needs and abilities of people with disabilities, as well as laws and resources that affect people with disabilities
- Help clients develop their strengths and adjust to their limitations
- Locate resources, such as wheelchairs or computer programs, that help clients live and work more independently
- Maintain client records and monitor clients’ progress, adjusting the rehabilitation or treatment plan as necessary
- Advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to live in a community and work in the job of their choice
- A Bachelor’s degree earned at and accredited college or university; there is no required major
- A Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling
Licensed Rehabilitation Counselors must:
- Complete graduate and post graduate internship experience for certification/license requirements
- Pass any required rehabilitation counseling exams for licensure and certification
- Apply for and earn additional counseling certifications
Note* Each state has unique requirements.
The median national annual salary for mental health counselors is $42,840. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.
Addictions Counselor
Addiction Counselors advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, mental health issues, or other mental or behavioral problems. They provide treatment and support to help clients recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.
- Evaluate clients’ mental and physical health, addiction, or problematic behavior and assess their readiness for treatment
- Develop, recommend, and review treatment goals and plans with clients and their families
- Assist clients in developing skills and behaviors necessary to recover from their addiction or modify their behavior
- Work with clients to identify behaviors or situations that interfere with their recovery
- Teach clients’ family members about addiction or behavior disorders and help them develop strategies to cope with those problems
- Refer clients to other resources and services, such as job placement services and support groups
- Conduct outreach programs to help people identify the signs of addiction and other destructive behavior, as well as steps to take to avoid such behavior
- A Bachelor’s Degree, earned at an accredited college or university. Students pursuing careers in addictions often select behavioral health related majors such as psychology, social work, human services, or Alcohol & Drug Abuse studies, but there is no required major.
- A Master’s Degree, or a Doctorate (PhD) in counseling will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to become a licensed counselor. The core areas of mental health education programs are approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Licensed Professional Counselors must:
- Earn a Master’s degree in counseling or a closely related mental health discipline
- Complete post-master’s clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional
- Pass a state-developed or national licensure or certification examination
Each state has unique requirements. You can find more information about Licensed Professional Counselor certification here: https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements
Addictions or substance use counselors can acquire certifications to signify their training in addictions. There are several types of certification.
- National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC I)
- National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC II)
- Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
- Nicotine Dependence Specialist (NDS)
- National Certified Adolescent Addictions Counselor (NCAAC)
- National Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS)
*Note, a variety of behavioral health practitioners (i.e. social workers, mental health counselors, marriage & family therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists) can qualify for the Addictions certifications. More information about these certifications can be found at: https://www.naadac.org/types-eligibility
Addiction counselors earn a median average annual salary of $41,030. The best-paid 10 percent could make $60,220 or more while the lowest-paid 10 percent made $25,280 or less.
American Counseling Association. (2015). Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors, a state by state report. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2019). Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals. (2019). Types and Eligibility. Retrieved from https://www.naadac.org/types-eligibility
School Counselor
School counselors help students develop the academic and social /emotional skills that lead to success in school. They also help students explore careers and choose the educational program that is best for them.
- Provide individual student academic planning and goal setting
- Deliver school counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
- Provide short-term counseling to students
- Make outside referrals for long-term support
- Collaborate with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success
- Advocate for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
- Analyze data to identify student issues, needs and challenges
School Counselor
School counselors help students develop the academic and social /emotional skills that lead to success in school. They also help students explore careers and choose the educational program that is best for them.
- Complete a school counseling internship or other qualifying clinical experience depending on your state requirements
- Pass required exams for school counselors
- Apply for counseling license
Note* Each state has unique requirements. You can learn more information about state requirements here: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/careers-roles/state-certification-requirements
School Counselor
School counselors help students develop the academic and social /emotional skills that lead to success in school. They also help students explore careers and choose the educational program that is best for them.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2019). School and Career Counselors. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm
American School Counselor Association. (2019). Who are school counselors? Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Careers-Roles/SCInfographic.pdf
Teacher Certification Degrees. (2019). School counselor career guide. Retrieved from https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/careers/school-counselor/
