About one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness in any given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). However, only about half of those adults did not receive treatment in 2022, and the rate varies from state to state.
The need for trained professionals, such as mental health counselors, to provide treatment is growing. Respond to this need by earning an advanced degree, like the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology program from Florida Institute of Technology.
What Do Mental Health Counselors Do?
Mental health counselors provide strategies and ways to work through problems and listen to their clients each session. They may treat conditions like depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and low self-esteem while also addressing emotional health and relationship issues.
Most work in individual practices, while many work in outpatient mental health or substance abuse centers. Some may choose to specialize in different populations, like older adults, veterans or children. They may also work closely with psychiatric professionals.
The work can be highly rewarding but occasionally stressful. Some may need to deal with crisis situations or difficult patients, and resources to handle those situations may not always be readily available.
Mental Health Counselor Salary With a Bachelor’s Degree
As of May 2024, mental health counselors pulled in an average annual wage of $59,190, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) The field is expected to grow 19% by 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations, due to an increasing demand for mental health counseling. Statistics and salaries may vary from state to state and based on experience, so job seekers are encouraged to do their own research.
The top 10% of earners in the mental health counselor industry earn more than $98,210. This salary would be more applicable to people who have been in their careers for more than one year. Entry-level counselors are more likely to receive a salary in the lower 10% of the range, which is $39,090.
How to Become a Mental Health Counselor
A good starting point for becoming a mental health counselor is earning a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology and then pursuing a master’s program. Most states require counselors to have a master’s degree, as well as a license. To become a licensed mental health counselor, several qualifications must be met.
Requirements may vary by state, so please check with your respective state to make sure you have all the necessary items. According to the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, licensed Florida mental health counselors must have a master’s degree related to mental health counseling that meets these requirements:
- At least 60 semester hours
- At least three semester hours in 12 areas: counseling theories and practice, research and program evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of psychopathology, career and lifestyle assessment, counseling in community settings, human sexuality, individual evaluation and assessment, social and cultural foundations, substance abuse, human growth and development, group theories and practice, and legal, ethical and professional standards
- At least 700 hours of clinical practicum, internship or field experience that is university-sponsored
- Two years of post-graduate supervised experience with a licensed mental health counselor
- Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Take an eight-hour laws and rules course
- Take a three-hour course on HIV and acquire immune deficiency syndrome and a two-hour domestic violence course within six months of becoming licensed
Is a Mental Health Counseling Career Right for You?
An effective mental health counselor must understand what their patients are telling them but also be able to simultaneously think of ways to help the patient. They must also be capable of creating treatment plans and communicating with the patient and their caregivers if necessary.
Being able to present patients with solutions to their problems in real time and help them work through their issues is key to the role of mental health counselor. The BS in Applied Psychology – Clinical Psychology online program from Florida Tech hones these essential competencies, as well as in-demand soft skills like critical thinking and communication.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online BA in Applied Psychology – Clinical Psychology.
