Nearly 25% of all adults in the U.S. experience some sort of mental illness, with about a quarter of them facing serious conditions that limit their daily functioning, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). However, access to treatment remains limited: Only 19% of people in need of substance abuse treatment and 52% of adults with a mental illness receive treatment.
Pursuing a career as a licensed counselor can enable individuals to do their part in expanding access to behavioral health care. This infographic covers the steps to take to become a licensed counselor, counselors’ duties and necessary skills, and counselors’ specialties and potential careers.
To learn more, check out the infographic below, created by Mid-America Christian University’s counseling degree programs.
Steps to Become a Licensed Counselor
Licensed counselors choose different areas of focus, but they all generally follow a similar path to licensure. While specific requirements vary by state and credential, the basic steps typically include:
- Step 1: Complete a bachelor’s degree program, preferably in a field related to counseling or psychology.
- Step 2: Complete a master’s degree program in counseling or a related field, depending on the license and state. This step includes participating in practicum and internship programs and choosing a concentration, if offered.
- Step 3: Fulfill state-mandated, supervised clinical hours, usually 2,000 to 3,000 hours, depending on the license.
- Step 4: Pass a required licensure or certification exam specific to the credential and state requirements.
- Step 5: Apply for a state license by submitting state-specific materials that may include an application and a licensing fee, academic transcripts, documentation of supervised hours, and proof of required licensure exam scores.
- Step 6 (ongoing): Renew the license and complete continuing education courses according to state rules.
Counselors’ Duties and Skills
A counselor’s job is to help their clients understand and address the issues and behaviors that interfere with their well-being. This work typically includes the following duties:
- Assessing clients’ counseling needs
- Identifying clients’ emotional and mental concerns and creating treatment plans for them
- Helping clients set and work toward personal goals
- Providing individual and group counseling sessions
- Conducting educational or preventive programs
- Referring clients to specialists or other mental health professionals
- Helping clients establish healthy habits and routines
- Maintaining ethical, legal, and regulatory standards
To carry out these responsibilities effectively, licensed counselors rely on a core set of skills and abilities, including:
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Empathy
- Patience
Counselors’ Specialties and Careers
Licensed counselors and therapists specialize in a practice area that aligns with their training, licensure, and professional interests. Common specialties include:
- Clinical mental health counseling: Focuses on psychotherapy and psychopharmacology solutions
- Marriage and family therapy: Emphasizes interpersonal and family counseling techniques
- Substance abuse counseling: Focuses on alcohol and drug addiction therapy
Clinical mental health counseling roles include:
- School counselor
- Rehabilitation counselor
- Crisis intervention counselor
- Behavioral health specialist
- Telehealth counselor
- Trauma therapist
- Grief counselor
- Corporate wellness counselor
- Hospital staff counselor
- Community mental health counselor
Marriage and family therapy roles include:
- Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
- Couples counselor
- Family or child therapist
- Relationship counselor
- Telehealth counselor
- School-based family counselor
- Juvenile correctional counselor
- Grief and loss counselor
- Conflict resolution specialist
- Domestic violence counselor
Substance abuse counseling roles include:
- Correctional treatment specialist
- Intervention counselor
- Licensed drug and alcohol counselor
- Outpatient therapist
- Rehabilitation facility administrator
- School counselor
- Social services manager
- Telehealth therapist
Counselors Can Make a Difference
Licensed counselors and therapists help individuals, families, and communities understand and address their mental, behavioral, and emotional challenges. As demand for behavioral health services continues to grow, individuals can play an important role in expanding access to care across clinical, educational, and community-based settings.
Sources:
American Counseling Association, Clinical Experience
American Counseling Association, Licensure Requirements
Indeed, “8 Types of Counselors to Know”
Indeed, “How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor (With Salary)”
Mid-America Christian University, Addiction and Substance Abuse, Master of Science in Counseling
Mid-America Christian University, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Master of Science in Counseling
Mid-America Christian University, Marital, Couples, and Family Therapy, Master of Science in Counseling
National Association of Social Workers, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Job Description
National Board for Certified Counselors, State Licensure
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “2024 Companion Infographic Report: Results From the 2021 to 2024 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health”
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Highlights for the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health