Mental Health Counselors

Mental health counselors help people manage or overcome a range of mental illnesses and emotional problems.

Mental health counselors help those who suffer from emotional disorders. They work with individuals and in groups to help clients develop skills and strategies for dealing with their problems.

Mental Health Counselors are in the Human Services career cluster and the Counseling and Mental Health Services pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The counselor's level of experience also affects wages.

Counselors who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Mental Health Counselors

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 1,424 mental health counselors work in this small occupation.

Major employers:

• Individual and family services groups
• Outpatient care centers
• Hospitals
• State and local government agencies
• Residential patient care facilities

Outlook

Employment of mental health counselors will grow as the public becomes more comfortable seeking professional help for personal and family problems. In addition, more employers are paying for their employees to receive mental health services. More people are expected to use these services. In part, they will try to control stress associated with job and family responsibilities.

Employment Outlook for Mental Health Counselors

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	120,300	163,900	43,600	36.2%
Minnesota	2,043	2,737	694	34%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	205	294	89	43.4%
Northeast Minnesota	99	124	25	25.3%
Northwest Minnesota	127	208	81	63.8%
Southeast Minnesota	48	68	20	41.7%
Southwest Minnesota	165	215	50	30.3%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	1,385	1,791	406	29.3%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Mental health counselors help people manage or overcome a range of mental illnesses and emotional problems.


In the past, when the word "healthy" was used, it described a physical state of being. Nowadays, health is used to cover several aspects of wellbeing, including not just the body, but emotional, spiritual, and especially mental. Scientists and doctors have found that mental health is just as important as physical health, and in many cases, you can't have one without the other. Therefore, it is very important to take mental health problems very seriously.Mental health counselors help those who suffer from emotional disorders, mental illnesses, and those undergoing difficult life circumstances. Therefore, they treat a wide range of conditions. This may include substance abuse, depression, emotional problems after divorce, and behavioral issues. No matter what the condition, people with mental health problems often suffer emotionally, physically, and economically. It is the job of mental health counselors to help these people identify their problems and find ways to lead normal, healthy lives.

Mental health counselors help their clients and patients develop skills and strategies for dealing with their problems. They work with individuals and groups. They may help families learn how to deal with the emotional and social effects of mental illnesses. Counselors teach family members how to provide support for the patient and for themselves.

Mental health counselors review records and interview clients. They may speak with doctors, family members, police, and other counselors to determine the client's condition and situation. They may also observe the client. Together, the counselor and patient develop a therapy plan for recovery.

Counselors may refer patients to support services such as medical evaluation and treatment, social services, and employment services. They often refer family members to community programs and support groups. Counselors follow the patient's progress and may revise the therapy plan as needed. If the patient is on medication, they monitor how the medication is working. Counselors regularly document patient progress and treatment. A very important part of their job is to prepare and maintain written records and case files, making sure everything is confidential.

In addition, mental health counselors speak to groups concerned with mental health issues. They may prepare documents for presentation in court and accompany clients to legal proceedings. They often help clients and patients during times of crisis.

Mental health counselors provide treatment in a variety of settings including hospitals, private and public treatment centers, private practice, and community-based behavioral health agencies.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Counsel clients, patients, and family members, individually and in group sessions. Assist them in overcoming problems, dependencies, and illnesses.
• Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
• Interview clients, review records, and talk with medical personnel to evaluate individual's mental and physical condition.
• Determine client's treatment needs and which program is best.
• Review and evaluate client's progress and make changes to treatment as needed.
• Monitor the use of medications by clients and patients.
• Coordinate counseling efforts with other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and social workers.
• Make accurate records and reports about the client's history and progress. Maintain confidentiality of all records.
• Provide information about mental health programs to clients and their families.
• Coordinate post-treatment activities, including follow-up care, court dates, community service, and probation requirements.
• May act as advocate for clients and patients during crisis situations.
• Attend training sessions in order to increase knowledge and skills.
• May supervise other counselors, staff, and assistants.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Assist and care for others.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Document and record information.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Explain the meaning of information to others.
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others.
• Develop goals and strategies.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Develop and build teams.
• Coach others.
• Analyze data or information.
• Evaluate information against standards.
• Think creatively.
• Teach others.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a high degree of social interaction. They work with patients, families, and other social workers.
• Communicate by telephone, e-mail, letters, memos, and in person on a daily basis.
• Are regularly placed in conflict situations with patients or their family members.
• Often deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of patients.
• Usually work as part of a treatment team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work performed by other counselors.

Physical Work Conditions

• Usually work indoors, but may go outside when visiting patients.
• Work near others, usually within a few feet.
• May on occasion be exposed to sounds and noises that are distracting and uncomfortable.
• May sometimes be exposed to diseases and infections.

Work Performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors or omissions could endanger the health and safety of clients or others.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact clients. They can make most decisions without talking to a supervisor.
• Are usually able to set their tasks and goals for the day without consulting with a supervisor.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a monthly basis.
• Repeat the same mental activities.

Hours/Travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• Usually work 40 hours a week.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as a mental health counselor, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED;
• complete a bachelor's degree or significant course work in psychology, sociology, or social work;
• complete a master's degree in mental health counseling or social work;
• complete an internship; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

You must have a master's degree in mental health counseling or social work to work in this field. Several colleges and universities offer graduate programs in these fields. For your bachelor's degree, you should take courses in social work, psychology, sociology, and statistics. Majoring in one of these fields, especially psychology, is a good idea.

In mental health counseling and some social work programs, you take courses in therapy techniques, human psychological development, social research methods, and statistics. You also learn how to counsel individuals and groups and how to identify specific mental disorders. Master's degree programs take two years to complete. These programs typically require a period of supervised experience, such as an internship.

Work experience

Part-time or volunteer work at a social service agency is good background for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Employers often provide training to new mental health counselors. You often work with an experienced counselor for a period of time before receiving your own caseload. You learn agency procedures, forms, and patient management. Training may last up to six months.

Military training

The military trains people to work as caseworkers and counselors. This training lasts from eight to ten weeks. Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
• Clinical/Medical Social Work
• Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
• Mental & Social Health Services & Allied Professions, Other

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Addiction Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling
• Social Work

Level of Education

The table below lists the level of education attained by a subset of workers in this occupation. The workers surveyed were between age 25 and 44.

Education level attained	Percentage of workers in this occupation*
Less than high school diploma	1
High school diploma or equivalent	7
Some college, no degree	11
Associate degree	6
Bachelor's degree	25
Master's degree	46
Doctoral (Ph.D.) or professional degree	5

* National data for mental health counselors (SOC 21-1014).

Helpful High School Courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Anthropology
• Child Development
• Ethnic and Gender Studies
• Parenting
• Psychology
• Sociology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Read and understand written information.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Identify problems and review information. Develop, review, and apply solutions.
• Think of new ideas or original and creative ways to solve problems.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines for arranging items.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with People

• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Use several methods to teach others how to do something.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and Visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Psychology: Knowledge of people, their actions, and mental processes. This may include knowledge of how to treat emotional and behavioral problems.
• Therapy and Counseling: Knowledge of the effect of diseases and injuries. Knowledge of how to give advice on social or personal problems. Also includes the knowledge of setting up a plan for treatment.
• Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of the behavior, customs, and origins of groups of people.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching and the methods involved in learning and instruction.
• Philosophy and Theology: Knowledge of different religions. Knowledge of ways of thinking that attempt to examine the nature of reality.
• Clerical: Knowledge of general office work such as filing and recording information.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
• Consider recognition important. They like to work in jobs which have opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and direct and instruct others. They usually prefer jobs in which they are looked up to by others.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Have social interests. They like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They like to communicate with others: to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to others.
• Have investigative interests. They like work activities that have to do with ideas and thinking. They like to search for facts and figure out solutions to problems mentally.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Tools & Technology for Mental Health Counselors

Tools

Blood pressure cuff kits Sphygmomanometers Desktop computers Electronic medical thermometers Digital medical thermometers Notebook computers

Personal computers Scanners Flatbed scanners

Technology

Analytical or scientific software Statistical software Test interpretation software Calendar and scheduling software Scheduling software Data base user interface and query software Database software Microsoft Access Electronic mail software Email software Microsoft Outlook Enterprise resource planning ERP software Management information systems MIS software Internet browser software Microsoft Internet Explorer Netscape Navigator Web browser software

Medical software Client information database systems Patient electronic medical record EMR software Office suite software Microsoft Office software Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel Word processing software Microsoft Word

Licensing / Certification

To be a licensed professional counselor in Minnesota, applicants must:

• be at least 18 years of age;
• be of good moral character;
• complete a master's or doctoral degree program in counseling or a related field;
• pass the National Counseling Exam or an approved alternative exam; and
• complete 2,000 hours of supervised professional practice.

To be a licensed professional clinical counselor in Minnesota, applicants must:

• be at least 18 years of age;
• be of good moral character;
• complete a master's or doctoral degree program in counseling or a related field;
• pass the National Counseling Exam or an approved alternative exam; and
• complete 4,000 hours of post master's degree supervised professional practice.

For more information on these licensures, contact:

Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
2829 University Ave SE, Suite 210
Minneapolis, MN 55414
http://www.bbht.state.mn.us/

Counselors may apply for national certification from the National Board of Certified Counselors. For more information, contact:

National Board For Certified Counselors
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, NC 27403
http://www.nbcc.org/

Nearly all states require that mental health counselors be licensed, registered, or certified. Requirements vary by state.

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 37 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

Click on occupations listed below to find State of Minnesota licensing information.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Employers nearly always require a master's degree. Employers also prefer applicants who have work experience. Internships and volunteer work are good ways to get experience. Some employers hire graduates who completed internships in their agency. Employers also look for people who are dedicated and have excellent communication skills.

Advancement Opportunities

Experienced mental health counselors can advance to working as supervisors, managers, assistant directors, and directors. In some cases, they may need a doctoral degree for these positions. Some mental health counselors go into private practice.

Job Title Examples

Clinical Supervisor,  Correctional Care and Treatment Worker,  Correctional Caseworker,  Corrections Caseworker,  Employee Assistance Program Counselor (EAP Counselor),  Mental Health Therapist,  Case Manager,  Therapist,  Correctional Counselor 

Similar Careers

Below are careers similar to Mental Health Counselors you may be interested in reading about. If you are looking to broaden your job search, these careers require similar skills. Click on the names to link to their career profile.

Addictions Counselors
Genetic Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Rehabilitation Counselors
Residential Counselors
School Counselors
School Psychologists
Social Workers
Social and Community Service Managers

Related Industries

Below are industries related to Mental Health Counselors you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Mental Health Counselors. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Education
Health Care Services
Hospitals
Social Services And Counseling

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.