Careers with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling  

Mental health counselors can be lifelines for people struggling with many types of mental health issues. Whether they are leading support groups, engaging in one-on-one therapy, or taking on other related jobs, compassionate and educated people willing to work in the mental health field are in high demand.  

Those who choose to dedicate themselves to this kind of work can benefit from a master’s in mental health counseling. Careers based on a master’s in mental health counseling are diverse and in demand throughout the U.S. and feature a range of specializations and patient populations for practitioners.  

When people think of working in mental health counseling, they may immediately think about a therapist in private practice meeting with clients one-on-one. Although individual therapy can be an important part of mental health care plans, trained counselors can work with populations that need their help in many ways, including in group settings, or in substance abuse programs. 

Most mental health counseling careers require at least a master’s degree. Master’s degree programs for mental health counseling careers include supervised work with patients as well as academic course work in a classroom or online environment. Master’s degree students learn therapeutic techniques, diagnostic criteria, and research methods.  

Mental health counseling is a professional field focused on helping individuals, families, and groups improve their mental and emotional well-being and address underlying mental health issues, including substance use and trauma. Mental health counselors may also work with people who are not suffering from acute mental health crises and instead want to optimize their mental health through regular counseling.  

Mental health counseling career options may involve working with a specific population, such as children or students, or working in a particular environment such as a hospital or substance abuse program. Career paths could include working as a private practice therapist, or even in sports medicine.  

A Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) is a licensed mental health professional who provides therapeutic services to individuals or groups to address mental health issues and promote overall well-being. A CMHC is trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders, which includes developing treatment plans and providing psychotherapy. In the state of New York, CMHCs are subject to licensure by the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions. Requirements for licensure may vary by state.  

While every clinical mental health counselor will have their own process, some common roles and responsibilities for this career include:  

Clinical mental health counselors can work in a variety of environments. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 18% of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors work in an outpatient substance abuse or mental health clinic, making that the most common working environment. Clinical mental health counselors may also work in residential facilities, hospitals, or private practice.  

Substance abuse counselors are trained professionals who work with people who abuse substances such as alcohol, narcotics, or other drugs. Some patients may have been diagnosed with substance use disorder, while others may not. Counselors can help patients make a plan to stay clean, help them build a sober support network, and work with other clinicians to treat underlying issues.  

All types of mental health counseling can have its challenges and rewards, but the population seeking treatment for substance abuse can be particularly challenging. Many patients with substance use disorders have comorbid conditions, including serious mental health diagnoses or a history of significant trauma. Substance abuse counselors must take care to attend to their own mental health and establish firm boundaries in this kind of work.  

Substance abuse counselors can work at in-patient residential programs or out-patient programs. Some substance abuse programs are court-mandated due to a patient’s legal trouble and may consist of regular support group meetings or private therapy.  

Private practice therapy is the type most associated with mental health care. Private practice therapists typically work with patients one-on-one or in family or group sessions. Private practice may mean that a therapist is entirely self-employed, or the therapist may work as part of a partnership or small group of other healthcare providers.  

There are both pros and cons to working in private practice, and not every counselor will view the same factors in the same way. Some mental health counselors may thrive as their own boss with all the responsibilities that entails. Being in private practice often means setting your own schedule, doing your own marketing, and taking care of or hiring out administrative tasks such as billing.  

For others, this may be a con because they would rather clock in and complete assigned tasks or sessions without worrying about the overhead of small business ownership. Before embarking on a career in private practice, counselors should consider all the options to determine what benefits and drawbacks would be in play for their own personalities.  

While different master’s in mental health counseling jobs require different strengths, there are some skills and competencies that are required across the spectrum of opportunities.  

Being a successful mental health counselor means being able to connect with your clients and meet them where they are. The most essential skills for success in mental health counseling are related to interpersonal connections, including:  

In addition to the skills that make counselors successful in working with patients, the best mental health counselors are also organized, self-motivated, and maintain firm boundaries between their work and personal lives, which can be a challenge in this emotionally demanding field.  

Each specialization within the mental health field requires its own special skills, however, these specialized skills can only be built on a foundation of compassion and caring for others.   

As with any career, salary expectations and job growth potential depend on a wide range of factors, including specializations, advanced degrees, certifications, and geographical location.  

The BLS compiles and reports statistics for the following mental health counselor and related professional roles:  

Median salary for the following mental health counselor roles, according to BLS, is as follows:  

The top 10% of earners in each profession have average earnings as follows:  

The bottom 10% of earners in each profession have average earnings as follows:  

The most influential factors in earning potential within a mental health counselor specialty are geographic location and employer. For instance, a substance abuse counselor in New York makes a mean wage of $67,240, while the same position in Pennsylvania has a mean wage of only $44,890. Differences in cost of living are a major contributor to these disparities, but it is worth mentioning.  

Mental health counselors who want to further their careers and have a higher earning potential may also choose to earn a doctorate and become a psychologist, which is a career with significantly higher average salaries. The median for all states is $92,740 per year.  

According to the BLS, their tracked mental health counseling professions are expected to grow as follows, between 2022 and 2032:  

According to the American Counseling Association (ACA), “Licensed professional counselors are the second largest group in the behavioral health workforce after licensed clinical social workers.” Furthermore, mental health counselors are often the first line of defense that people can access when facing a mental health crisis. Mental health professionals can have a major impact on the well-being of their clients, no matter what population they focus on.  

Working with a mental health counselor can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental well-being and overall satisfaction with their life. According to research cited by the American Psychological Association (APA), approximately 75% of adults who engaged in therapy showed improvement after six months.  

Mental health counseling is not only impactful at an individual level, but communities can also benefit from access to mental health care services. For example, one study from the National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine found, “There is evidence for the effectiveness of community interventions for improving mental health and some social outcomes across social-ecological levels.”  

As mental health outcomes improve on an individual level, that improvement can carry over into the community at large by way of better access to treatment, improved understanding of when intervention is necessary, and more community acceptance of mental health care.  

Earning a master in mental health counseling is the just first step toward a career as a mental health counselor. Licensed counselors must complete continuing education hours and may also choose to earn specialized certifications in their fields.  

The licensing requirements for mental health counselors vary depending on the specialization. Licensed mental health counselors in New York are required to earn a master’s degree through an accredited program, including supervised counseling hours, before sitting for the LMHC licensing exam. Mental health counselors may also choose to earn a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (CASAC-T) certification, administered by the New York State Office of Substance Abuse Services, which prepares them to work as a substance abuse counselor. At Russell Sage, students who choose to concentrate in Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling will also complete the requirements for obtaining Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T) certification.  

Licensed mental health counselors have different continuing education requirements, depending on the state where they practice. In New York, an LMHC must complete at least 36 hours of approved continuing education courses every three years. New research is always informing best practices in all types of healthcare, including the mental health field, which makes continuing education critical for counselors to provide the best possible services to their clients.  

In addition to LMHC licensure, mental health care providers may choose to earn specialization certifications, such as:  

Not all mental health counselor certifications are required or regulated by state or federal governments. Interested professionals should do their due diligence in choosing which certifications to pursue.  

There are many benefits of a masters in mental health counseling, but the most significant benefit is the number of career opportunities that open up with this advanced degree. If you are ready to take the next step in your mental health counseling career, consider earning a master’s degree from Russell Sage. Sage offers two options for prospective students. The first option is an in-person program, designed for working professionals with largely evening classes, students can complete this program in just three years. The second option for working professionals is a fully online program that can also be completed in three years. 

Additionally, Sage offers three concentrations. Trauma and Acute Care, Couples and Family Counseling, and Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling. Each of these concentrations are available both online and in-person. 

 Reach out today for more information or to start your application.