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How To Become A Licensed Mental Health Counselor

So, you want to be a Mental Health Counselor? Mental Health Counselors help individuals deal with the frustrations and difficulties of day-to-day life. Stress can be very hard to navigate on your own, especially when you feel like there is no one to talk to. This can be very overwhelming. If you are not coping with stress and anxiety in a healthy way it can lead to much larger health problems. Mental Health Counselors take people out of that negative headspace by offering support through counseling and guidance.

Mental Health Counselors work with individuals who have a variety of mental health problems, ranging from everyday stress (paying bills, family, etc) to mental illnesses and disorders. Some other areas these professionals can be helpful in are:

  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • Addiction
  • Grief
  • Marital distress
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Mental health is often taken for granted. Although, mental disorders are sometimes considered the most common disability in the United States. Studies from the National Institute of Mental Health has shown that 25% of adults suffer from mental illnesses each year. People are finally starting to put an emphasis on their mental health, and that is where these counselors come in. It is a rapidly growing field and a very important one!

What Does a Mental Health Counselor Do?

Mental Health Counselors work with clients or the families to work through mental and emotional issues. Prior to counseling, there will usually be some sort of assessment. This typically includes interviewing the clients or having them fill out questionnaires to understand the severity of their conditions. Once they are accepted, a Mental Health Counselor will let their client talk freely, addressing any and all concerns they have so they can determine what treatment method is best. A counselor may ask questions or make comments throughout the session, but the goal is for the client to work problems out themselves. This might include setting and achieving goals and offering advice on how to do this. A counselor may also introduce stress reduction techniques for everyday life. Mental Health Counseling is a great solution for short-term relief.

Why Do We Need Them?

Life can be overwhelming. Trying to cope with a mental disorder can be scary and confusing on your own. People can often feel ashamed of these problems, even though they are more prominent than we think. Mental Health Counselors help people work through these insecurities and anxieties to cope in a healthy manner. The goal is, through positive guidance, people can lead normal, healthy lives.

Where Do They Work?

Like most therapists, the location of the job is fairly flexible. For Mental Health Counselors, typically work is done in different types of health facilities where individuals have easy access to their services. For example, they can work in regular hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics, hospice care centers, and home health care centers. Mental Health Counselors can also work for schools, adoption agencies, law enforcement agencies, detention centers, and branches of the military. Wherever they could be needed is where they are located. Many counselors also open their own private practices. Your experience can be as social or private as you would like, so take some time to consider which option is best for you.

What Are the Different Types of Counselors?

The skills a counselor has may be applicable to a variety of populations, but you can make it as specific as you would like to help particular clients. Some examples of counselors are:

  • Mental health
  • Career
  • School
  • Addiction / Substance abuse
  • Rehabilitation

When you are receiving your master’s degree, check what kind of tracks or electives are available to receive a specialization. Some state licensing agencies may also offer specializations through completion of coursework and certification.

Steps to Becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor

1. Complete Appropriate Undergraduate Education

Aspiring counselors should look into programs related to psychology, social work, sociology, etc. As long as the credits are from an accredited school, you can pick from most any field you are interested in. You are also required to have a bachelor’s degree, so make sure you are aware of this when picking your major and class schedule.

2. Complete Appropriate Graduate Education

Once undergraduate is over, buckle down for a few more years in graduate school. These programs are more defined and geared towards counseling. The best option is to receive your master’s in Mental Health Counseling from an accredited program. State licensing agencies may be open to candidates holding post-graduate degrees in related fields, but this is on a case-by-case basis.

3. Receive a License

Once you have graduated from a graduate counseling program, you should pursue state licensure. These requirements vary from state to state, but typically you will be asked to complete coursework, proof of citizenship, have recommendations from academic institutions, practicum, or internship supervisors, and high marks on examinations. Some states have their own examinations, but most rely on the National Board of Certified Counselors (National Counselors Examination or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination). Be sure to look up the requirements in the jurisdiction you want to be operating in.

FAQ: Mental Health Counselor

How Do I Become Certified?

There is a required 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised practice needed before you can become fully licensed. You must also pass a state-recognized exam and complete annual continuing education courses to keep your license. These requirements, again, vary by state, so be sure you are following the correct ones. This information can be found on the National Board of Certified Counselors website.

How Long Does This Process Take?

This depends. A typical bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, or related fields will typically take four years to complete. A master’s degree will take between 1-2 years. Some programs may require a year long internship. The hours of fieldwork can be completed alongside or after education, so this process varies as well. It also will depend on which stage of your education you are at. Take some time to plan out the process for yourself so you have a better understanding of the time commitment.

How Much Will It Cost?

Since you will have to receive an undergraduate and graduate degree, you will have to consider tuition for both. These costs can depend on a multitude of factors. The average cost of tuition (according to College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2017-2018) is $9,970 for in-state tuition and $25,620 for out-of-state tuition. Master’s degree programs average at $8,670 for in-state tuition and doctorate programs average at $10,830 per year in-state. If you attend an accredited college, you may apply for financial aid, which can be very helpful for some. Keep in mind, these costs are different everywhere and can be higher or lower depending on the college or university.

Can I Take Any of these Courses Online?

There are online programs available for earning your master’s in Mental Health Counseling! Capella University and Walden University both offer a Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling. Southern New Hampshire University also offers a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health totally online. Once again, these courses will differ from school to school so be sure you are double checking information and seeing how it will pertain to your particular goals.

Conclusion

Becoming a Mental Health Counselor is a difficult, but gratifying process. This is a very important profession and you will have a direct impact on other people’s lives and wellbeing. People are finally making mental health a priority, so it is crucial that there are individuals who can counsel and support them. Once you have completed your education and the steps above, you will be ready to go out into the world and positively impact people!

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  • We are always excited to bring new writers and editors to the Mental Treat Blog. If you are interested in contributing to our blog in such topics as Mental Health, Mindfulness, Meditation, Psychology, or related fields, please let us know at hello@mentaltreat.com

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