If you are considering a career in clinical counseling, you are in good company. It takes courage and compassion to dedicate your career to helping others. Fortunately, the career prospects for clinical counselors are excellent. With strong job growth expected in the field of counseling psychology, there should be many career paths available to you when you obtain the necessary credentials of a licensed mental health counselor.

The Strong Demand for Mental Health Counseling

The field of mental health counseling is expected to grow, good news for anyone pursuing a career as a clinical mental health counselor. The field of clinical counseling career paths comes with a diverse range of opportunities. So a licensed professional clinical counselor in this field is sure to find fulfilling careers that are aligned to their interests.

Career Paths as a Clinical Counselor

There are a variety of career paths available to clinical mental health counselors. Some of the options include:

• Family Services
• Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers
• Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers
• Hospitals
• Government
• Schools
• Private Practice

Specific job titles include:

• Clinical Social Worker
  Social workers can work in different settings including hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, non-profit organizations and many more. They offer education, facilitate support groups, advocate for patients and their families, connect them with resources, and, if qualified, provide mental health services.
• Outpatient Clinician
  An outpatient clinician is a licensed professional counselor who provides therapeutic services to clients who do not require hospitalization or residential treatment. They typically work in clinics, private practices, or community mental health centers and serve individuals, couples, or families dealing with various mental health issues.
• Substance Abuse Counselor and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
  An addiction counselor and behavioral disorder counselor works with individuals struggling with addictions, behavioral issues, or related challenges to help them achieve lasting change. They assess clients' needs, create personalized treatment plans, and provide support through a one-on-one counseling program and family intervention. They often teach in addiction counseling some coping strategies, guide clients through recovery, and connect them to additional community resources.
• Health Psychologist
  A health psychologist focuses on how psychological, biological, and social factors affect health and illness. They work with individuals to promote healthy behaviors, manage chronic illnesses, and support recovery by addressing the mental and emotional aspects of physical health. They may collaborate with other healthcare providers to create treatment plans that consider lifestyle, stress management, and behavioral changes.
• Family Therapist
  A family therapist helps families and individuals improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships by addressing issues within the family unit. They work with family members collectively to uncover and address underlying patterns and dynamics that may contribute to stress or dysfunction. Through counseling services, a family counselor aims to promote understanding, rebuild trust, and create healthier interactions to support the family’s emotional and psychological well-being.
• School counselor
  A school counselor is a trained and certified counselor who works in educational settings to support students' academic, social, and emotional development. School counseling plays an important role in promoting a positive school environment and helping students navigate different challenges throughout their educational journey.
• Grief Counselor
  A grief counselor provides support and guidance to individuals coping with loss, whether from the death of a loved one, a major life change, or other forms of significant personal loss. They help clients navigate the stages of grief, process complex emotions, and develop coping strategies to manage their pain. This type of counseling psychologist creates a safe, empathetic environment for clients to express their feelings openly, with the goal of promoting healing, acceptance, and eventual adjustment to life changes.
• Crisis Counselor
  A crisis counselor is trained to provide immediate support and stabilization to individuals in acute distress, such as after a traumatic event, sudden loss, or during a mental health crisis. Their focus is on crisis intervention, helping clients manage overwhelming emotions, ensuring safety, and connecting them to further resources. Crisis counseling is typically short-term and aims to provide quick relief during emergencies.
   

What Does it Take to Become a Clinical Counselor?

A Master’s Degree

The majority of mental health counseling positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, although a master’s degree tends to be the standard. Most clinical psychology programs range from one to three years in length. The more in-depth the training, the longer the program.

There are several paths to becoming a clinical mental health counselor, depending on your interests and preferences as a psychologist. Common master’s degrees that apply to counseling include psychology, mental health counseling, clinical social work, and related degrees.

Licenses

The licensing required for clinical counselors varies from state to state and you will need to meet the licensure requirements for your state before you can practice as a professional counselor or clinical psychologist. By researching the state requirements, you can determine what specific degree—if any—your state requires for professional counseling work. Not all states require a clinical counseling psychology degree, but most require you to at least pass an exam before you can work on any clinical counseling careers.

A Note on Private Practice

If you plan on establishing your own professional counseling practice, be aware that the criteria for getting licensed as a clinical counselor in private practice are more rigorous than working in other positions. All states require that counseling psychologists in private practice be licensed. Most states expect you to have a master’s degree as well as a certain number of hours of practice under supervision—typically 2,000 to 4,000 hours.

In addition to meeting the education and experience requirements, you will also need to pass an exam and engage in continuing education as you practice.

Enjoy a Rewarding Career as a Clinical Counselor

It can be challenging to meet the necessary counseling psychology requirements to become a clinical counselor, but the hard work is worth it. With a well-trained counselor, students can maximize the benefits of guidance and counseling in schools. You can enjoy a rewarding career with strong projected growth over the long-term.

Want to learn what it takes to be a clinical counselor? Alliant’s California School of Professional Psychology offers a master’s in clinical counseling degree online or on-campus. Contact Alliant International University to learn more.