Mental health counseling is a very rewarding career. You get to help people work through challenging problems and illnesses in order to give them a better quality of life. It is possible to become a licensed mental health counselor within four years, although you will be working as an intern in as little as two. You must obtain a Master’s degree from an accredited school in mental health counseling, as well as complete a recognized practicum and approximately two years of post-graduate work under the supervision of a licensed counselor. There are many schools that offer this type of degree, including two which can be earned online.
The main accrediting body for mental health counseling is called CACREP. Universities accredited by this body have met industry standards for teaching mental health therapy techniques, leaving their students better prepared for licensure. Graduating with a degree from a CACREP-accredited program will give you an edge on earning your state license to practice mental health therapy and greatly cut down on the post-graduate work that must be completed to earn national licensure. Keep in mind, however, that national licensure only reflects your commitment to providing quality care and does not legally permit you to practice in your state.
There are two online programs for mental health counseling that are CACREP-accredited: Capella, and Walden University. Both of these programs will allow you to earn your online degree in counseling, although it will still be necessary to perform a practicum, which consists of working under the supervision of mental health professionals, in order to graduate with a degree. This can be an excellent option for those who don't have the opportunity to go to brick and mortar schools, whether because of job requirements or an inability to relocate. However, it is important to check the licensure requirements for your state, since not all states accept degrees from online universities.
There is a broad range of mental health jobs available. With your license you could work in a clinic, private office, school, hospital, correctional facility, or any number of other settings. Mental health employment may also include research work. Research usually consists of carefully documenting the treatment of multiple individuals and reporting on your findings in order to improve industry wide quality of care. Originally those with Master's degrees would work with less troubled populations, assisting with day-to-day problems rather than serious mental illness, while doctorate holders would help people in more severe situations. In modern times, however, that line has blurred and the client population for mental health counselors has expanded. People have realized that Master's level mental health professionals are proficient enough to treat people with more severe problems, and insurance companies often prefer to pay Master's level rates rather than higher doctorate level rates. Employment looks good for the future of this profession, and the number of mental health jobs available is on the rise.
Mental health counseling is a rewarding and challenging profession that is definitely worth considering for anyone who enjoys working with people.