MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

   MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Mental health counselors work as primary mental health caregivers for their patients. Duties of a mental health counselor include conducting mental health assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, leading individual or group therapy sessions, running preventative mental wellness classes or workshops and making treatment referrals. Mental health counselors may work for a school, for a government department or an agency, as part of a social outreach agency or for another entity.

SALARY: $41,880

EDUCATION: The requirements to become a mental health counselor, in all states, include a master's degree and a state license. Bachelor's degree programs can be completed in a variety of fields and usually take 4 years to complete, and master's degree programs in counseling take 2-3 years.`

DEMAND OR NEED FOR THIS PROFESSION: To be successful as a mental health counselor, you should find it easy to connect with people and constructively discuss their problems and issues. Excellent written and verbal communications skills and an analytical approach will serve you well in mental health counseling. You would also need a master’s degree and a state license, for all states.