Mental Health Counselors
SOC code 21-1014 · O*NET-SOC 21-1014.00 · Extensive preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
What does a mental health counselor do?
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
- Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others.
- Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
- Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
- Perform crisis interventions with clients.
- Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
How to become a mental health counselor
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 89% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree89%
- Post-Master's Certificate7%
- First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.4%
Common questions
Can you become a mental health counselor without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening5.0/5
- Speaking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Writing4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Therapy and Counseling5.0/5
- Psychology5.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Sociology and Anthropology4.2/5
- Education and Training3.8/5
- Administrative3.6/5
- Telecommunications3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Service Orientation.