Mental Health Counselor Degree

Last Updated on September 1, 2023

Mental Health Counselor Degree: Unveiling the Path to Mental‌ Well-being



Introduction



In⁣ recent years, the significance of mental health has garnered​ increasing⁢ attention in societies across the globe. The battle against mental health issues⁢ has led to a surge in demand for qualified mental health professionals who can provide⁣ the necessary support and ⁤guidance. One‍ of‌ the key stepping stones‌ to‌ embarking on this rewarding career path⁣ is obtaining a ⁣Mental Health Counselor Degree. This formal article aims to shed light on ‍the various aspects of this ⁢degree and the crucial role it plays in promoting mental well-being.



Understanding Mental Health Counseling



Mental⁣ health counseling ⁣is ‌a specialized branch ⁢within the broader ‌field of counseling. ‌It focuses on addressing psychological, emotional, and⁣ behavioral concerns faced by‍ individuals of all age groups. Mental health ⁢counselors work in diverse settings,

Are you one of those who have been looking for mental health counselor career that you need to excel in your career? Are you a graduate looking for mental health counselor degree online to know how to start from the basics? Do you want to gain access to mental health counselor programs or do you want to learn more about mental health counselor degree programs? Get ready now! Collegelearners.com is designed to give you a holistic view of mental health counselor salary tailored to your profession. Check us at infolearners.com for answers to any question related to online mental health counseling certificate programs. We are just a stone away!

Read on to learn more about specialist degree in counselin, specialist degree in school counseling, delta state counseling program, counseling psychology programs near me, dsu graduate programs, dsu counseling, delta state university psychology faculty, delta state university mat program. You will also find up to date information in related articles on Collegelearners.

Specialist Degree in Counseling


Life is full of frustration and difficult times. Most adults will usually have to deal with such things as balancing family and career life, and paying bills that they can’t afford. These stressful times can be very hard to get through and extremely overwhelming for some. Not coping with this type of stress in a healthy manner, however, can lead to mental and emotional strain.

Whether working in rehabilitation, education, mental health or other fields, there are hundreds of thousands External link of professionals who’ve found their calling as counselors in the United States. This is unsurprising when considering that counseling is a profession that’s in demand External link and could be personally gratifying, but many people are unaware of what exactly it is that counselors do, how to become a counselor, and what opportunities await counselors. These subjects, and more, are covered below.

Mental health counseling can be used to pull some people out of their mental din. Professionals in this field offer counseling, support, and guidance to individuals that are having trouble coping mentally or emotionally.

There are a number of mental problems that mental health counselors might encounter during their careers, from people dealing with everyday stress to those with diagnosable mental illnesses and disorders. For instance, they might counsel people that are having had times due to family, job, or social issues. They might also offer counseling to individuals experiencing:

Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Grief
Phobias
Eating Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Addiction
Grief
Chronic Pain
Substance Abuse
Suicidal Impulses
Self-Esteem
Marital Distress


Mental disorders are sometimes considered to be the most common disability in the United States. In fact, research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health has shown that over a quarter of all adults suffers from a mental illness each year. More and more people are finally realizing the importance of not only their physical well being, but also their mental well being. Health insurance companies are even more apt to offer coverage for mental illness services as well. Because of this, there will not be a shortage of mental counseling jobs in the coming years, and mental health counseling is a rapidly growing field.

How Do I Become a Mental Health Counselor?
To become a mental health counselor you will need to go through a rather rigorous amount of schooling. This includes obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree, then a Master’s Degree, and finally entering into a Doctorate or PhD program. If you are serious about entering into this field of study, request information from programs available for you here.

Why Do We Need Mental Health Counseling?
Trying to cope with a mental disorder – or even extreme everyday stress – can be very difficult and overwhelming for most. These disorders are often very scary, confusing, and frustrating. Some people suffering from mental illnesses and disorders may even feel ashamed of their conditions.

Mental health counselors, however, can help people learn to cope with their disorders and anything else life throws their way in a healthy manner. The guidance and skills that these professionals provide can often help people lead normal, happy lives.

What Do Mental Health Counselors Do | Step-by-Step Guide

Specialist Degree in School Counseling

Mental health counselors typically work directly with clients, and sometimes their families as well. As mentioned above, professionals in this field might help with a variety of mental and emotional issues.

Before counseling or treating their clients, mental health professionals will usually assess them first. This usually involves interviewing the clients and possibly having them fill out questionnaires. Depending on the severity of their conditions, mental health counselors may diagnose them with any number of mental illnesses.

The American Counseling Association External link (ACA), the world’s largest professional association exclusively for counselors, describes counseling as a “collaborative effort between the counselor and client” in which the two “identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.” Counselors work toward these aims through a variety of methods, but most often by engaging in individual therapy, group discussions, and referrals to other healthcare professionals and social services. The steps to become a counselor may include building foundational skills and expertise in a counseling specialization, typically through graduate degree programs in counseling or similar fields, as well as obtaining state-issued license.

Traditional psychotherapy is often the preferred method of treatment for mental health counselors. This type of therapy usually consists of allowing the client to talk freely to the counselor with little interjections from him. Clients can talk about anything that concerns them, which allows them to explore their emotions and feelings. At times, the counselor may ask questions or offer comments.

A mental health counselor might also help his clients with setting and achieving goals. They may offer encouragement and advice on how to reach certain goals. To keep clients from getting overwhelmed or frustrated, a counselor might also teach them stress reduction and relaxation techniques.

Overall, mental health counseling is meant to be a short-term solution to help people get through rough patches in their life. Clients suffering from more severe and long-term mental illnesses will usually be referred to another mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Mental Health Counseling Careers & Education | All Psychology Schools
Mental Health Counselor

Steps to Becoming a Mental Health Counselor
As mentioned above, counselors must typically complete undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, in addition to securing licensure from the state in which they intend to legally practice. Sometimes counselors may also opt for pursuing their Doctorate in Counseling. Some typical steps to become a counselor are as follows:

Step 1: Undergraduate Education
As far as undergraduate education goes, aspiring counselors can pick from almost any field they desire, as long as it is offered by an accredited school. While some colleges and universities may offer a Bachelor’s in Counseling, many do not. Thus, most graduate counseling programs — as well as the American Counseling Association External link — recommend that a student looking to become a counselor obtain a bachelor’s in a related subject, such as psychology, or any other liberal arts major.

Step 2: Post Graduate Education
It is recommended that aspiring counselors attend a counseling graduate program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs External link (CACREP). While there are various types of graduate programs for counseling, those interested in helping with mental and emotional health issues and relationship problems, a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling may be the best option for you to pursue.

Step 3: Licensure
After graduation from a graduate counseling program, aspiring counselors should pursue state licensure for practice. While the licensure requirements will vary from state to state External link , the process typically involves verification of completed coursework, proof of citizenship, recommendations from academic, practicum, or internship supervisors, and satisfactory examination results. Although some state licensing boards have developed their own examinations, many rely on one of two tests offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors External link : the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination. For the definitive list of your state’s requirements, please visit your state’s counseling licensing board External link . Some states also have policies of reciprocity External link , wherein they will grant licenses to licensed counselors from other states, and endorsement, wherein they will consider granting licenses to licensees from other states through review.

Mental Health Counselor Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More

Types of Counselors
Although the foundational skills of counseling can apply to different populations, some people want to become a counselor to help particular clients. Some types of counselors include mental health, career, school, rehabilitation, and substance abuse counselors. Master’s in Counseling degree programs may offer tracks or electives which allow students to specialize in an area of their choice, such as career, college, school, and mental health counselor. State licensing agencies may similarly offer specialty licensure in these areas through coursework verification and certification, such as that offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Types of Counseling Degrees


Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling
Professional mental health counselors often have requirements stipulating that they hold at least a Master’s in Counseling or a similar degree in a related field External link , thus a worthwhile Bachelor’s in Counseling program should prepare graduates for their graduate studies. This should include courses in psychology, mental health, therapy, substance abuse, ethics, and, of course, counseling. Bachelors in Counseling programs will also often require a capstone or internship, in which students use their learned clinical skills on-site at social service or healthcare facilities.

Master’s Degree in Counseling
Master’s degree in counseling programs should be accredited by CACREP to best prepare you for your state’s counseling licensure. According to CACREP External link , a Master’s in Counseling degree program should consist of graduate-level study with a minimum of 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours. These hours should cover eight common core areas:

professional counseling orientation and ethical practice
social and cultural diversity
human growth and development
career development
counseling and helping relationships
group counseling and group work
assessment and testing
research and program evaluation
In addition, the program should incorporate both a practicum External link of at least 100 clock hours over a full academic term, including at least 40 hours of direct client service, and an internship of at least 600 hours of supervised counseling, with at least 240 hours of direct client service.

Mental Health Counseling
In addition to the common core curriculum described above, CACREP stipulates requirements for specialties, like mental health counseling External link . These standards cover foundational, contextual, and practical elements that come together to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate within the mental health setting. They range from coursework in neurobiology and psychopharmacology, to experience in intake interviews and mental health intervention.

Careers in Counseling
The general skills and specialized knowledge provided by counselor education programs to assist students to become counselors actually may equip them to pursue a variety of careers. Although the specific context of each profession differs from the next, they are all united in helping people surmount the obstacles in their lives.

Where Do Mental Health Counselors Work?
Mental health counselors often work in all different types of health facilities, where individuals that need them will have easy access to their services. For instance, they might work in regular hospitals and psychiatric hospitals, along with mental health clinics, hospice care centers, and home health care centers. Mental health counselors might also work for schools, detention centers, adoption agencies, law enforcement agencies, and even branches of the military.

Many mental health counselors, however, typically choose to open their own private practices.

What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Mental Health Counselor?
COUNSELING EDUCATIONAL TRACK
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION LENGTH AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
Undergraduate Work Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling 4 Years Online or Campus
Graduate Work Earn a Master’s Degree in Counseling 5-6 Years Online or Campus
PhD or Doctoral Work Earn a Doctorate in Counseling 7-8 Years Online or Campus
A good education is imperative when starting a mental health counseling career. Future mental health counselors should have a deep knowledge of the mind, how it works, and the issues that can affect it. A knowledge of human development is also important.

The majority of individuals looking to pursue a mental health counseling career will usually start with a bachelor’s degree in psychology or counseling. Taking courses in your preferred area of mental health counseling is particularly important during this time. For instance, if you want to pursue a mental health counseling career that focuses on treating substance abuse, you should take several courses in this area.

Most states also require mental health counselors to have advanced degrees as well, such as master’s degrees in counseling. Experience in a clinical setting is also usually required before becoming a licensed mental health counselor.

Your education usually won’t stop even after you’ve become a licensed mental health counselor, however. If you choose to pursue a mental health counseling career, it is important to participate in continuing education programs or workshops in order to keep abreast of any important developments in this field.

What Is the Median Salary of Mental Health Counselors?
The salaries of mental health counselors varies, depending on the are of specialization experience. Mental health counselors that have worked for the military for several years, for instance, will often earn much more than those starting out in entry level positions with non-profit groups.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for mental health counselors was $42,590 in 2011.



About the author

The Editorial Team at Infolearners.com is dedicated to providing the best information on learning. From attaining a certificate in marketing to earning an MBA, we have all you need. If you feel lost, reach out to an admission officer.
Study on Scholarship Today -- Check your eligibility for up to 100% scholarship.

Leave a Comment