Mental Health Counselor Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

It is in the human nature to want to be independent and to be able to achieve our life goals without assistance or failure. However, it is also in human nature to crave the approval and attention of other humans whose opinions are important to us, like parents, friends and teachers. Sometimes it can be harder than we expected to meet our goals, and when we have great expectations and fail to meet them, people can struggle with feelings of depression, guilt, shame and frustration. When people are struggling to deal with their personal problems in a productive way, a mental health counselor is the health professional that is called upon to help them think things through and regain their self-sufficiency. Mental health counselors are responsible for interviewing patients on an individual and group basis and devising a treatment plan for their issues.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$31,900
Salary Range
$22,300 - $45,600

Work Environment

As more and more companies and organizations become aware of the value of having a workforce that is healthy both physically and mentally, the potential work environment of the mental health counselor is expanding. Common places to work include private counseling practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools and correctional facilities. It is not uncommon for mental health counselors to work at night or on the weekends, especially if one of their patients has an emergency.

High School Preparation

Individuals who enjoy helping other people with their problems, and think that they might excel in the career of a mental health counselor should spend their high school career focusing on the study of psychology and sociology. Other supporting courses include biology, English, literature, computer skills, social studies, and speech.

Requirements

After graduating from high school, the aspiring mental health counselor ought to seek out an appropriate program at an accredited college or university. These programs typically last four years and the possible majors include psychology, social work, counseling, education, or sociology. Although it is possible to find a related job with only a bachelor’s degree, most counseling positions require that you achieve the master’s degree or higher. Upon completion of the formal education, it is recommended that the new counselor gathers experience in an internship in their chosen area of concentration. If it is desired, certification is available from the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Career Outlook

As the federal government becomes more accepting of the fact that mental health is just as important to the workforce and the economy as physical health, there will be more money allocated to companies and organizations that invest in the mental health of their workers. This will mean a marked increase in the demand for qualified mental health counselors over the next ten years.

Professional Organizations

American Counseling Association
5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304-3300
Phone: (800) 347-6647
www.counseling.org