Key Facts:
- Accredited online counseling degrees are available at bachelor’s and graduate levels.
- Most counseling jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, with mental health counselors requiring at least master’s degree and (in most cases) state licensure.
- Employment opportunities for mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral disorder counselors are expected to grow at a much faster rate than other occupations over the next decade (BLS.gov).
- Median pay for mental health, substance abuse, and behaviral disorder counselors is around $54,000 a year, but varies significantly depending on the position and education level (BLS.gov).
What is Mental Health Counseling?
Mental health counseling is a type of support where trained professionals help people deal with their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. These counselors talk to people about their problems, like stress, anxiety, or sadness, and help them find ways to feel better. To become a mental health counselor, a person needs to go to college and get a degree in psychology or counseling. After that, they usually need to get a master’s degree in counseling and complete some training by working with experienced counselors. They also have to pass a test to get a license to practice.
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How Do I Become a Counselor or Therapist?
Searching for how to become a therapist (and searching for how long does it take to become a therapist) is a smart move before you begin your journey into the field of mental health. Many people call themselves life coaches or life strategists, but most people with these titles don’t have any qualifications in the psychology or counseling fields. When you’re researching how to become a counselor, it’s important that you focus on options that provide you with professional licensure. This will allow you to both responsibly practice and make it easier to get a job in the field.
To answer the question of how to become a therapist, you’ll first want to search for the licensure requirements in the state where you wish to practice. Many states require that you go through a bachelor’s or master’s program in psychology. Your program may need to be accredited, or you may need to go through testing and supervised licensure hours. The question of how long does it take to become a therapist depends greatly on the level at which you’d like to practice. If you’re interested in getting your bachelor’s degree, it will take about four years, assuming you take classes full time. Master’s degrees can take an additional two years, and doctoral degrees can take an additional three years or more.
What Can You Do with a Counseling Degree?
There are many options for jobs with a counseling degree, including:
- Detox counselor – This is one of the most common counseling jobs with a bachelor’s degree, and this position can be incredibly rewarding. Counselors in detox can work in hospitals or private detox facilities.
- Rehab counselor – Rehab facilities offer many opportunities for jobs with a counseling degree. Some rehab counselors only work with clients at the facility, while others follow clients through their sober living and aftercare plans.
- Academic advisor – There are many opportunities for counseling degree jobs in university settings. Academic advisors work with prospective students to help them choose majors, deal with being away from home, and find academic success. College counseling is much needed especially post-covid, where students may need extra help dealing with the disruption of the last few years. Some crossover with career counseling is expected.
- School counselor – One of the most common degree in counseling jobs, many school counselor positions require at least a master’s degree and state licensure. School counselors are in high demand post-pandemic.
- Clinical therapist or Marriage and Family Therapists– Clinical therapist counseling degree jobs may include seeing patients in private practice, hospitals, family therapy, or private mental health facilities.
- Career counselors – Both college students and adults sometimes struggle to decide where they’d like to go in their careers. Career counselors are one of the many jobs with a counseling degree that allow you to work with clients who need direction in what to do next.
- Human resources professional – HR doesn’t necessarily fit into the category of counseling jobs with a bachelor’s degree, but many people who earn their counseling degree find success in human resources.
- Crisis counselor – One of the jobs with an online degree in counseling, a crisis counselor works with people who are in trauma, helping them to find their way out of struggle.
- Interventionist – This addiction counseling professional works with families and people who are struggling with substance abuse or other destructive behaviors. Addiction counseling is a specialization offered within many online master programs.
- Mental Health Counselors – Works clients and patients, individually and in group sessions. Often mental health counselors assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes.
Industry Employing Counselors | Employment (1) | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|
Individual and Family Services | 30,170 | $44,580 |
Outpatient Care Centers | 29,890 | $44,770 |
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities | 16,160 | $39,060 |
Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 11,490 | $50,640 |
Local Government (OES Designation) | 11,130 | $55,880 |
Counseling jobs with a bachelor’s degree are often used as a stepping stone for professionals who want to work in the field while also earning a graduate degree. It’s important to note that many degree in counseling jobs consider your life experience. For example, someone who is searching for counseling jobs with a bachelor’s degree may also want to include relevant life experience, such as dealing with addiction or living with a family member who has gone through addiction. This is true of master’s degree in counseling jobs as well.
After graduation, whether you’re searching for associate’s degree in counseling jobs or you’re ready to find jobs with an online masters degree in counseling, you’ll be glad to know that this field is growing, especially as society’s stigma against talking about mental health continues to dissipate.
Counseling Degree Types: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Online Bachelor’s
Getting an online bachelor’s degree in counseling is a serious undertaking, and shows a commitment to learning how to be a therapist. A counseling bachelor’s degree online typically takes four years to complete on a full-time schedule.
Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in counseling can be a great way to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field of counseling. With an online bachelor’s degree, you can learn the basics of counseling theory and practice, as well as gain a better understanding of the ethical principles that guide professional counselors. Additionally, you will have access to resources such as textbooks, lectures, and assignments that will help you become a successful counselor.
You will also have the opportunity to network with other students and faculty members who are pursuing similar degrees. With an online bachelor’s degree in counseling, you can gain the necessary skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in people’s lives.
Recommended Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Online Master’s
Spending two years earning an online master degree in counseling is the final level of education for many therapists. An online counseling master’s may require you to complete some of your coursework outside of the classroom during an in-person internship or practicum experience, depending on your state’s regulations for licensure.
An online Master’s in Counseling is a great way to gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful counselor. With this degree, you will learn how to assess the needs of individuals, couples, and families; develop effective treatment plans; and understand the ethical and legal issues related to counseling. You will also gain an understanding of research methods and data analysis techniques used in counseling. With an online master’s degree in counseling, you can take your career to the next level by becoming a licensed professional counselor.
Recommended Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Online Doctorate
Earning an online counseling doctorate can be a great way to complete your graduate education. When you earn your counseling doctorate online, you get to complete your high-level education on your own time. Online doctorate programs in counseling may require you to attend an in-person component, much like the master’s online option. If you’re thinking about your online doctorate in counseling, it’s likely that you’re already working in the field, and may be able to complete the required practical hours while at work.
An online doctoral degree in counseling offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in areas such as mental health, marriage and family therapy, and clinical psychology. This type of program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a professional counselor.
Through online courses, students can gain an understanding of counseling theories, research methods, and ethical practices. They will also learn how to effectively diagnose and treat mental health disorders in individuals and families. By completing an online doctoral degree in counseling, students can prepare for a successful career as a professional counselor or therapist.
Recommended Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Popular Specializations in Counseling Programs
Counselors and therapists often find themselves in a difficult situation when it comes to choosing specializations. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for them.
The best way to choose a specialization is by considering your own interests, experience, and skillset. Counselors must also consider their personal values and beliefs when deciding on a specialization. Additionally, they should consider the needs of their clients as well as the current trends in the field of counseling and therapy.
By carefully evaluating all these factors, counselors and therapists can make an informed decision about which specialization is best for them. This will help them provide better care for their clients and ensure that they are providing the most effective treatment possible.
- clinical mental health counseling
- mental health counseling
- addiction counseling
- career counseling
- rehabilitation counseling
- bilingual school counseling
- adolescent counseling
- child and family services
- school counseling specialization
- crisis counseling
- human development
- family counseling
Is CACREP Accreditation Important?
CACREP accreditation means that your program has been vetted, and you won’t need to undergo additional testing or supervisory hours in order to become a licensed therapist.
If your program does not meet CACREP standards, you may be required to undergo thousands of additional hours of supervised counseling experience before you can become licensed.
You’ll likely also find yourself deciding between programs with CACREP vs APA accreditation. When deciding between CACREP vs APA, know that CACREP is the gold standard for counseling; APA is the gold standard for psychology. If you’re using your degree as a means to an end goal of becoming a psychologist, then APA accreditation may be a good fit for you.
Counseling Certification and Licensure Requirements
While you can earn an online certificate in counseling, you cannot legally work as an unsupervised counselor until you become licensed by your state. In addition to your online certificate in counseling, you’ll need to undergo practicum hours. Online counseling certifications are valuable, but an in-person component is necessary as well to help you hone your craft.
The coursework for counseling certificates online can be completed without an internship or practicum component, but in order for your online counseling certification to lend itself to state licensure, you must go through an approved internship or practicum as well. Online counseling certificates are just as respected as in-person certificates, and your state will view any accredited program in the same way when it comes to licensure.
If you’re curious about earning counseling certifications online, be sure to do your research about what type of internship or practicum component is required. Earning certificates in counseling online can be valuable, but you may not want to invest the time in your online certificate if you’re not able to complete the in-person component that makes you eligible to work as a licensed therapist.
General Requirements for Therapist and Counselor Licensure
Becoming a licensed mental health counselor or therapist requires dedication and hard work. It is important to understand the requirements for licensure in order to make sure that you are on the right path. In order to get licensure as a therapist, you must:
- complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours
- pass an exam
- meet certain educational requirements
Additionally, you will need to complete other requirements such as background checks and fingerprinting, particularly for a professional school counseling program. With the proper preparation, obtaining licensure can be a rewarding experience that allows you to provide therapeutic services in your chosen field.
Clinical Hours
Becoming a licensed therapist requires more than just completing an educational program. It also requires that aspiring therapists complete a certain number of clinical hours in order to obtain their license. The exact number of clinical hours required for licensure varies from state to state, but most states require between 1,500 and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Additionally, many states also require that applicants pass a licensing exam before they can be officially licensed as a therapist.
Counseling and Therapist Exams
Becoming a licensed therapist requires passing an exam that assesses your knowledge and skills in the field. Depending on the type of licensure you are seeking, different exams may be required. Generally, these exams include a combination of written and practical components to ensure that you have the necessary skills to practice as a therapist. The specific requirements vary by state and type of licensure, so it is important to research what type of exam you need to take in order to become licensed.
The most well-known, and most portable (meaning it will hold up from state to state) is the National Board for Certified Counselor’s exam. The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a comprehensive and rigorous exam that assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities of counselors in the United States. It is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and is required for professional licensure in most states. The NCE consists of six sections which assesses an individual’s understanding of:
- counseling theories
- techniques
- assessment tools
- research methods
- ethical standards
- laws related to counseling
Those who pass this exam are eligible to become licensed counselors in their respective states.
However, many states have their own exam. For instance, the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) issues their own Jurisprudence exam.
Background Checks for Therapists
Patients want to know what kind of background check is conducted on therapists before they are allowed to practice. It is essential to ensure that their therapist has the necessary qualifications and experience for the job. A thorough background check includes verifying educational credentials, criminal records, professional references, and any other information relevant to the therapist’s qualifications.
Additionally, some states may require additional background checks for certain types of therapists such as those who work with children or vulnerable adults. For example, therapists may (like in the state of North Carolina) have to submit to fingerprinting and having their prints run through a national database.
What is the Difference Between a Counseling Certificate and a Professional Counseling Certification?
A counseling certificate and a professional counseling certification are two different credentials that can open up a range of career opportunities for aspiring counselors. While a counseling certificate is an entry-level qualification, a professional counseling certification is more advanced and requires additional training and qualifications.
A counseling certificate typically requires completion of an accredited program that focuses on the fundamentals of counseling, such as communication, ethics, and psychological theories. You typically get a certificate from a college or university for taking a certain number of credit hours.
On the other hand, a professional counseling certification requires more experience in the field and indicate specialized knowledge in particular areas like clinical practice, assessment techniques, and research methods.
These are usually offered by professional organizations like the American Psychological Association or the American Mental Health Counselors Association. Typically professional certifications require some continuing education courses and passing an exam to show your expertise in the specialization.
By obtaining both credentials, counselors can demonstrate their knowledge in the field of counseling and be better prepared to work with clients in various settings.
Scholarships for Counseling and Therapy Degrees
Earning undergraduate and/ or graduate scholarships for counseling can seriously cut down on your higher education cost.
As you search for federal financial aid scholarships for online counseling degrees, including undergraduate and graduate programs, be sure to remember that grants and scholarships do not have to be paid back, unlike student loans. If you’re struggling to afford the cost of your education, talk to your financial aid office about how your school can work with you to develop a financial aid package that helps you earn your education without draining your bank account.