A mental health counselor helps individuals, couples, and families navigate emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges

How much money can you make?

What type of training will it take?

What does the job actually entail?

Read on to find out whether this is the job for you.

What will I be doing all day?

A mental health counselor helps individuals, couples, and families navigate emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. The role includes:

• Assessing mental health — Evaluating clients’ emotional and psychological well-being to determine appropriate treatment plans.
• Providing therapy — Using various therapeutic techniques to help clients manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other issues.
• Developing coping strategies — Teaching skills for managing emotions, relationships, life challenges, and transitions.
• Referring to specialists — Connecting clients to psychiatrists, medical professionals, or support groups when needed.
• Maintaining detailed client records — Documenting treatment plans and progress notes, and ensuring compliance with ethical and legal guidelines.

What kind of career options do I have?

Mental health counselors have a variety of career paths open to them, depending on their interests, specialization, and preferred work setting.

Some options include:

• Private Practice Therapist — Provides individual, couples, or group therapy.
• Clinical Counselor — Works in hospitals, mental health clinics, or rehab centers.
• School Counselor — Supports students’ emotional and academic well-being.
• Substance Abuse Counselor — Helps clients recover from addiction.
• Crisis Intervention Counselor — Assists in emergencies (e.g., suicide prevention, trauma support).
• Employee Assistance (EAP) Counselor — Provides workplace mental health support.
• Community Mental Health Worker — Serves underprivileged populations in nonprofits.
• Correctional Facility Counselor — Works with inmates on rehabilitation.
• Researcher or Educator — Conducts studies or teaches future counselors.

The difference between a mental health counselor and a psychologist:

A mental health counselor provides therapy and coping strategies for emotional and behavioral challenges, typically holding a master’s degree, while a psychologist has a doctoral degree and can conduct psychological testing and research. Neither can prescribe medication, but psychologists focus more on diagnosis and assessment, whereas counselors emphasize therapy and support.