A Guide To The Different Types of Counseling Careers
Published on: May 7, 2020 | 7 minutes read
By: David Stewart
Counseling is a broad, diverse field with many specialties. Each type of counseling calls for its own training and approach. Regardless of their focus, counselors help individuals navigate mental health challenges and improve their overall well-being.
Depending on their area of expertise, counselors work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, companies, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. While their day-to-day responsibilities may differ, they all share the same goal: helping people navigate a broad spectrum of mental health and life challenges to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
If you are considering a career in counseling, understanding the different types of counselors is an important first step. Because different types of counselors have different educational requirements and licensure paths, it’s worth exploring which specialty fits your goals.
Continue reading to explore eight types of counseling careers available and discover which path best aligns with your interests.
#1: School Counselor
Many students interact with a school counselor at some point during their education. School counselor responsibilities may include:
- Assisting with course selection and academic planning
- Guiding students through the college application process
- Supporting students facing personal or social challenges
- Connecting students with appropriate resources and counseling services
School counselors work in elementary, middle, and high schools, spending most of their time directly with students while also collaborating with administrators on curriculum and student support services. If you are interested in this career path, Alliant’s School of Education offers an online master’s degree in school counseling, as well as an EdS in school counseling. Both programs include a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential, which is required to be a school counselor in California.
Designed with working professionals in mind, these flexible programs can help you build a career in educational counseling, supporting students in academic settings.
#2: Marriage and Family Therapist
Thinking about working in marriage counseling or family therapy? Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are licensed mental health professionals who work with individuals, couples, and families experiencing challenges within their relationships, such as:
- Communication issues
- Marital conflict
- Divorce
- Grief
- Family transitions
The goal of marriage and family counseling is to help clients identify and change unhealthy interaction patterns that contribute to relationship difficulties. To become a marriage and family therapist, you typically need to earn a master’s degree in a mental health field, such as Alliant’s COAMFTE-accredited Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy. You will also need to complete the required supervised clinical hours and obtain licensure in the state where you plan to practice.
#3: Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with mental health conditions and emotional challenges. Mental health counselors play a central role in today’s broader mental health care system, and this specialty is also known as clinical mental health counseling.
Depending on the type of mental health concern, they work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, phobias, and behavioral disorders. Mental health counselors help clients develop coping strategies, build resilience, and manage symptoms to improve their mental health and well-being.[1]
To become a mental health counselor, you typically need to:
- Complete a master’s program, such as Alliant’s CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC)
- Complete a supervised internship and postgraduate clinical hours
- Obtain state licensure
Graduates are prepared to work as clinical counselors in hospitals, private practices, and community mental health centers. Many go on to become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) or pursue additional credentials, such as Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor status through the National Board for Certified Counselors.
#4: Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors work with people who have physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities, helping them overcome barriers to living and working independently. In this role, counselors work with clients recovering from trauma, substance use disorders, chronic illness, or injuries, as well as those managing different types of disabilities.
- Their work begins by evaluating a client’s strengths, challenges, and goals.
- From there, they develop rehabilitation plans that may include counseling, career planning, job placement support, referrals to medical, community, or mental health services, and skills training.
- Through their work, they help clients build independence and improve their quality of life.
Rehabilitation counselors need at least a bachelor’s degree, although many positions require a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. Licensure and certification requirements vary by state, so review the requirements in the state where you plan to practice.
#5: Child Pediatric Counselor
Child counselors help children, adolescents, and teens cope with mental health conditions, trauma, family conflict, grief, anxiety, depression, and other emotional or behavioral challenges. A child counselor may also work closely with parents and caregivers to better understand a child’s needs and support their development at home.
The goal of child counseling is to help young people understand and manage their emotions in healthy, age-appropriate ways while building the skills they need to thrive.
To become a child counselor, you typically need at least a master’s degree in counseling or social work, such as Alliant’s CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW). You may also need a doctorate in clinical psychology or counseling psychology, depending on your career path and state licensure requirements.
#6: Grief Counselor
Grief is a natural response to loss, but everyone’s experience is different. While many people gradually adjust over time, some struggle to cope with emotions that begin to affect their daily lives.
Grief counselors help individuals process the loss of a loved one or other significant life event in a healthy way. Grief counselors use a safe, supportive space to help their clients express difficult emotions and develop coping strategies for feelings such as anxiety, depression, and guilt.
There are several paths to becoming a grief counselor. Many professionals earn a master’s degree or doctoral degree in psychology with a focus on grief, while others become licensed clinical social workers and specialize in grief counseling. Regardless of the path, state licensure is typically required to practice.[2]
#7: Substance Abuse/Addiction Counselor
Substance abuse counselors, also known as addiction counselors, help people overcome dependencies on alcohol, drugs, and other addictive behaviors. Recovery is rarely a straight line, so these counselors provide support at every stage: from the first conversation about treatment to long-term relapse prevention.
They begin by assessing a client’s substance use, mental health issues, and personal circumstances. From there, they:
- Develop individualized treatment plans
- Provide individual and group counseling
- Teach coping strategies
- Track progress over time
Unlike rehabilitation counselors, who help people overcome disabilities or injuries, addiction counselors specialize in treating substance use disorders and supporting recovery.
Requirements for this vary by state. Many entry-level roles require a bachelor’s degree, while independent counseling practice often requires a master’s degree, supervised clinical experience, and state licensure.
#8: Career Counselor
Career counselors help people make informed decisions about their professional future. Whether someone is choosing a college major, changing careers, or re-entering the workforce, they help clients identify the best path for them.
The process usually begins with career assessments and one-on-one conversations to better understand a client’s skills and aspirations. You will find that career counselors may work in schools, colleges and universities, workforce development agencies, and private practice.
Career counselors may start with a bachelor’s degree in psychology before earning a master’s degree in counseling, career development, or a related field. Licensure requirements vary by state and employer.
Start Your Counseling Career Today
There are many types of counselors, but they all help people navigate some of life’s most difficult moments. If you are ready to make a long-lasting impact as a counselor, Alliant University offers programs designed to prepare you for a wide range of careers across different types of counseling, including flexible master’s and doctorate programs for working professionals. With rigorous academics, hands-on clinical training, and guidance from experienced faculty, you can gain the knowledge and skills to serve others with confidence. If you have questions about which program fits your goals, Alliant’s admissions counselors are ready to help.
Explore the many mental health counseling programs at Alliant today and take the first step toward a counseling career that changes lives, including your own.
Sources:
[1] Drosos, Nikos, and Antonis Korfiatis. “Career Adaptability and Resilience of Mental Health Service Users: The Role of Career Counseling.” Behavioral Sciences. October 26, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13110886. Accessed July 31, 2026.
[2] Willi, Nikolaus, Anna Pancoast, Ioanna Drikaki, Xueying Gu, David Gillanders, and Anne Finucane. “Practitioner Perspectives on the Use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Bereavement Support: A Qualitative Study.” BMC Palliative Care. February 28, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-024-01390-x. Accessed July 31, 2026.