Professional Mental Health Counselor
A professional mental health counselor creates purposeful relationships that empower diverse individuals, couples, families, children, adolescents and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals.
They apply mental health, psychological, human development, or family systems principles and interventions to help clients adjust their thoughts, feelings or actions.
They also diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Education Requirements
Typically a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree that includes a supervised practicum and internship. Expect six to seven years of coursework post-high school.
Work Environment
Individual and family services; outpatient and inpatient intellectual and developmental disability, mental health, and substance use disorder centers; hospitals; state and local government.
Projected Growth & Salary Range
Projected Growth: 20 percent (much higher than average).
Salary Range: $49,480 - $78,210
Specializations, Programs & Required License/Certificate
Specializations:
- Individuals
- Families
- Children
- Couples
- Group
Master's Programs:
- University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney | 308.865.8441 | unk.edu
- University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha | 402.554.2800 | unomaha.edu
- Bellevue University | Bellevue | 402.293.2000 | bellevue.edu
- Chadron State College | Chadron | 308.432.6000 | csc.edu
- Doane University | Crete | Lincoln | 402.826.2161 | doane.edu
- Wayne State College | Wayne | 866.972.2287 | wsc.edu
Required License/Certificate:
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
- Optional: Certified Professional Counselor (CPC)