��������

Considering becoming a mental health counselor? If so, you’ll join a profession of profound importance and impact.

Before we dive into what the career of a mental health counselor entails and what the typical educational path looks like for this role, let’s gain some understanding of how the counseling industry as we know it today came to be.

Table of Contents

• History of the Mental Health Counseling Profession
• Why Are Mental Health Counselors Needed?
• What Does a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Do?
• Where Do Clinical Mental Health Counselors Work?
• What Type of Degree Do You Need?
• How Long Does It Take to Become a Counselor?
• What Subjects Are Covered in a Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program?
• What Are the Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensure Requirements?
• About Our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
• How to Get Started

History of the Mental Health Counseling Profession

The  of mental health is fairly recent. Its earliest known application was in the 1790s in Paris, where a physician named forbade corporal punishment of asylum inmates and demanded their release from chains and inhumane confinement. Pinel pioneered new thinking that gave rise to the modern definitions of mental illness as byproducts of social and psychological stresses, as well as genetics, rather than “demonic possession.”

Under the name, vocophers, professional precursors to counselors support individual and community career development during reconstruction

This time period coincides with the emergence of the study of consciousness by Wilhelm Wundt, the practice of psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud, and career counseling theory by Frank Parsons. Alfred Alder then laid the foundation for modern practice through his attention to the whole client, the role of the family system/belonging/how one grapples with power (or the lack thereof) on one’s personality, advancing the idea that instead of viewing clients through a lens of pathology, they could be viewed as a whole that is discouraged and has developed ways of coping with living that have expired in their usefulness. Most essential was the combination of counseling and parent education to upgrade the dynamics of a family system, noting that the symptoms one experiences reflect expired coping. This is the foundation of the strengths-based, developmental, cognitive, humanistic, and constructivist frameworks that have followed.

It should be noted that a clear training distinction between psychologist and counselors began to emerge in the 1950s framed around both professional identity and notions of what constituted adequate training for school counselors. This movement divided counseling psychology into two parts: counseling psychologists and counselor educators/professional counselors/school counselors (West, Bubenzer, Brooks, & Hackney, 1995).

Later, psychiatrists and promoted a client-centered approach in which the client is treated as a partner in the process, as opposed to a patient solely on the receiving end of treatment. As of the early 1970s, however, the profession of clinical mental health “counselor” remained loosely defined against its professional cousins: psychologist and social worker with regard to standards, accreditation, and licensure. Clinical Mental health counselors finally received recognition and definition in 1976, with the formation of the .

In the time since Phillipe Pinel redefined the way we view mental health, we have seen a healthcare profession emerge that addresses the mental health needs not just of individuals, but of couples, families, groups, and even entire populations. Among mental health professions, counselors are particularly known for their attention to communities, functioning as emotional and behavioral regulators of them. Through this now firmly entrenched and recognized profession, counselors provide critical clinical care that serves the mental health of individuals and communities.

Why Are Mental Health Counselors Needed?

The  of mental health is fairly recent. Its earliest known application was in the 1790s in Paris, where a physician named forbade corporal punishment of asylum inmates and demanded their release from chains and inhumane confinement. Pinel pioneered new thinking that gave rise to the modern definitions of mental illness as byproducts of social and psychological stresses, as well as genetics, rather than “demonic possession.”

Under the name, vocophers, professional precursors to counselors support individual and community career development during reconstruction

This time period coincides with the emergence of the study of consciousness by Wilhelm Wundt, the practice of psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud, and career counseling theory by Frank Parsons. Alfred Alder then laid the foundation for modern practice through his attention to the whole client, the role of the family system/belonging/how one grapples with power (or the lack thereof) on one’s personality, advancing the idea that instead of viewing clients through a lens of pathology, they could be viewed as a whole that is discouraged and has developed ways of coping with living that have expired in their usefulness. Most essential was the combination of counseling and parent education to upgrade the dynamics of a family system, noting that the symptoms one experiences reflect expired coping. This is the foundation of the strengths-based, developmental, cognitive, humanistic, and constructivist frameworks that have followed.

It should be noted that a clear training distinction between psychologist and counselors began to emerge in the 1950s framed around both professional identity and notions of what constituted adequate training for school counselors. This movement divided counseling psychology into two parts: counseling psychologists and counselor educators/professional counselors/school counselors (West, Bubenzer, Brooks, & Hackney, 1995).

Later, psychiatrists and promoted a client-centered approach in which the client is treated as a partner in the process, as opposed to a patient solely on the receiving end of treatment. As of the early 1970s, however, the profession of clinical mental health “counselor” remained loosely defined against its professional cousins: psychologist and social worker with regard to standards, accreditation, and licensure. Clinical Mental health counselors finally received recognition and definition in 1976, with the formation of the .

In the time since Phillipe Pinel redefined the way we view mental health, we have seen a healthcare profession emerge that addresses the mental health needs not just of individuals, but of couples, families, groups, and even entire populations. Among mental health professions, counselors are particularly known for their attention to communities, functioning as emotional and behavioral regulators of them. Through this now firmly entrenched and recognized profession, counselors provide critical clinical care that serves the mental health of individuals and communities.

What Does a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Do?

Mental health counselors are trained to treat individuals struggling with mental health concerns (i.e., psychological distress, psychological disorders, psychological aspects of medical disorders), but they also treat couples, families, groups and organizations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ description of , treating patients involves evaluation (both of a patient’s mental health and readiness for counseling), helping patients identify the  issues that are negatively affecting their mental health, as well as the teaching them coping strategies they can use to overcome challenges in day-to-day life.

Where Do Clinical Mental Health Counselors Work?

The need for mental health counselors is widespread, and the environments in which they work are diverse. Examples of common work environments for mental health counselors include:

• Hospitals
• Private practice
• Outpatient mental health centers
• Residential mental health facilities
• Individual and family service agencies
• Offices of other health practitioners

In addition to traditional health settings like clinics, mental health counselors may opt to treat clients through nonprofits or even private practice.

(Sources: and Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs ())

What Type of Degree Do You Need to Become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor?

While by state and the specific type of counseling role, mental health counselors usually need a master’s degree and an internship followed by licensure. To apply to a clinical mental health counseling master’s program, you first need a completed bachelor’s degree. Some programs require your undergraduate degree be in a related field such as psychology. WCU’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program does not require a specific type of bachelor’s degree for admission.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor?

Once you enroll in clinical mental health counseling school, most programs take 2.5 to 3 years to complete. The length of the program depends upon the school. (WCU’s comprehensive MS In Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can be completed in less than 2.5 years.)

Once you graduate, you’ll typically need to complete a certain number of supervised hours as a licensed professional counseling intern (LPCI), with the requirements varying by state. You’ll then need to pass your licensure exam(s) before you can begin independent practice (more on licensure below).

What Subjects Are Covered in a Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program?

Curriculums vary by program, but a clinical mental health counseling program will typically include coursework in counseling research and methodology, clinical practice, culture and population counseling, research, and psychopathology. We invite you to view WCU’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling curriculum for a comprehensive look at the courses that are offered in our program.

Here is a sampling of the topics you will study in our program:

• Counseling theories and interventions
• Multicultural counseling
• Tests and clinical assessments
• Crisis and trauma response and intervention
• Psychopathology
• Group counseling
• Addictions counseling
• Couples and family counseling
• Human sexuality
• Methodologies of research design and program evaluation
• Clinical practicum

What Are the Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensure Requirements?

The is the specialty licensure test for clinical mental health counselors. It is administered by the (NBCC) and is required for clinical mental health licensure in most states. In addition to the NCMHCE, the NBCC administers the certification for counselors of all types. These exams are designed to test the skills and knowledge needed to provide effective counseling.

Many states have , so it’s important to do your research and prepare for each test that you will need to pass as well as the requirements you need to complete in order to begin practice.

About Our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

��������’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program offers flexibility as you can choose to earn your degree online or in a blended format (a mix of online and on-campus study). We do not require your bachelor’s degree to be in a related field, and with the program taking 29 months to complete (less than 2.5 years), you’ll be able to streamline your path to graduation and build the knowledge and skills you need to go out and make a difference.

An education at WCU is student-centric, and our mental health counseling master’s program is designed for comprehensive, versatile learning that emphasizes intersectionality and mental health advocacy.

As a student in WCU’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program, you will benefit from:

• A combination of classroom (virtual or in-person) learning and clinical practicum experiences
• Engaging educational content that leverages innovative learning tools such as original video content and virtual simulations
• A curriculum that prioritizes relationship, both in counselor training and in relationship-building with classmates and faculty
• Opportunities for online and blended program students alike to experience hands-on, in-person learning through weekend-long, on-site intensives (OSIs) that occur on campus, as well as local events (such as seminars and roundtable discussions) that occur in or near student’s local communities.
• Job placement assistance and a full scope of career support services that are available for life

How to Get Started

Mental health counseling is a meaningful career path that can have a profound effect on the people and populations you serve. If you’re ready to take the first step, we invite you to learn more about our mental health counseling master’s program.

You can also complete the form on this page to request further information and connect with our admissions team. A representative will help you get started on your path to making a difference!

---

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.