Is a Masters in clinical mental health counseling worth it
Is a Masters in clinical mental health counseling worth it: According to the American Counseling Association, employment as a professional counselor requires a graduate-level degree. Obtaining a master’s degree certifies your ability to assist people and groups in resolving emotional, mental, and behavioral issues. Having a master’s degree in mental health counseling may help you pursue a fulfilling job where you can improve the lives of people and families.
Is a Masters in clinical mental health counseling worth it?
For many students, getting a master’s degree in mental health counseling is worthwhile. As compared to the average employment growth for all professions, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12% job growth in community and social service jobs during the next ten years.
A master’s degree is often necessary for positions in mental health counseling.
A profession in counseling might provide you with the satisfaction of knowing that you’re changing the world for the better by helping others. Obtaining a master’s degree may help you get professional opportunities to build a fulfilling career.
While a profession in mental health counseling does not guarantee large sums of money, four positions in the industry are included among the 100 Best Jobs in a U.S. News & World Report poll. These include the following: mental health counselor (#71), school counselor (#81), marriage and family therapist (#51), and counselor for drug abuse and behavioral disorders (#35).
Certain demographics, such children, teens, inmates, or the elderly, are served by certain counselors. Others provide crisis intervention services to customers under dire circumstances. In K–12 educational institutions and universities that provide academic and career counseling, counselors may work with students.
One may pursue a safe, fulfilling job as a mental health counselor. A large number of counselors have full-time positions with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan contributions.
How to Decide Whether a Masters in Mental Health Counseling is Right for You
Choosing among the many online master’s degree programs in counseling to find the one that best suits your needs might be challenging.
You will have to commit a lot of time, money, and effort in your master’s program, regardless of the program you choose—an online master’s in marital and family therapy program or an online master’s in mental health counseling. You should give it a lot of thought before making this choice.
These are three reasons you could choose to do that.
1. You want to work as a professional counselor in your career.
To work as a counselor, you will typically require a master’s degree. In contrast to many other professions where a bachelor’s degree may get you started, entry-level roles in the counseling field often need a master’s degree.
You can imagine yourself as a counselor who helps people with their mental health needs. Maybe in high school, you looked up to a specific counselor or someone who supported you at a trying time in your life. You can consider yourself a professional in this sector according to your talents and areas of interest.
2. You’re considering a career in psychology.
Are you interested in the workings of the human brain? Do you find it entertaining to hear others talk about their relationships and lives? Do you have an interest in psychology?
If your response to any of these questions was “yes,” you may want to pursue a career in mental health counseling. Gaining a master’s degree will expose you to even more intriguing psychological knowledge. The best part is that you may use your newly acquired expertise to assist others.
3. You want the people you work with to benefit from your profession.
If you’re passionate about helping others, you most likely wouldn’t be content to work in a field where the main goal is earning money. Your principles and personality may lead you to choose a profession that benefits the individuals you work with.
You may positively influence your customers’ lives by providing mental health therapy. You may feel good about yourself knowing that you’re improving other people’s quality of life.
5 Things You Can Do with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Degree
One useful degree is a master’s in mental health counseling. Top jobs for individuals with this degree include (1) mental health, behavioral disorders, and substance abuse counselors; (2) marriage and family therapists; (3) clinical social workers specializing in mental health and substance abuse; (4) school and career counselors; and (5) rehabilitation counselors.
1. Counselor for mental health, behavioral disorders, and substance abuse
Professionals in this profession of counseling provide assistance to those with addiction, alcoholism, and other mental and behavioral issues. They are employed by jails, community health clinics, and private or governmental mental health facilities.
These counselors assess the needs and behaviors of their clients before creating treatment programs that assist clients in learning coping mechanisms for addiction or behavioral problems. In order to assist their clients deal with their issues, counselors also provide family members with education.
2. Family and Marital Counselor
Marital and family therapists assist individuals, couples, and families by concentrating on family dynamics. These counselors use a range of psychological techniques while assisting clients in exploring their emotions and experiences.
Marital and family therapists assist their clients in making choices for the future and in changing their behavior. They mostly work in private practice. They could also suggest treatment centers or other specialist options for drug misuse or addiction to their clients.
3. Clinical Social Worker Specialist in Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Clinical social workers with licenses assist patients with mental health issues and addiction disorders. They strive to enhance their customers’ mental health despite the range of mental and emotional issues they may come across.
Clinical social workers create treatment programs to assist their clients in overcoming mental health obstacles after evaluating their requirements and available resources. These social workers could provide psychotherapy or connect patients with other options for treatment that they need.
4. Career and school counselors.
Counselors assist students in developing their social and intellectual abilities in K–12 public and private schools, colleges, and institutions. Primary school advisors support kids in gaining self-worth, making wise decisions, and mastering academic abilities.
Counselors assist high school students with training programs and college applications. University counselors support students with mental health and academic issues. They also cover interviewing, creating resumes, and job searches.
5. Therapists for Rehabilitation
Clients with emotional and mental problems get assistance from mental health counselors who also serve as rehabilitation counselors. They support the independent living of these customers.
Rehabilitation counselors assess their clients’ needs, interests, and abilities before creating treatment programs that help them transition to independent life. They could find resources and services that help their clients become more independent by collaborating with a group of medical professionals and therapists.
Alternatives to a Degree in Mental Health Counseling
You may wish to look at other degree programs as you consider obtaining a master’s degree in mental health.
- Master of Social Work degree. You can find yourself attracted to social work if you have a great desire to assist others. In this sector, you will work with the most vulnerable people and families to assist them in reaching their mental health objectives.
- A master’s degree in family and marriage therapy. Having an MFT makes you eligible to support families and couples in trying times. As a counselor, you will assist clients in talking about their feelings and experiences and in making future-focused choices.
- Master of Psychology degree. Maybe you have an interest in human behavior but are not interested in becoming a counselor. You may work in human resources or other sectors like research with a master’s degree in psychology.
Maybe you should pursue an alternate degree, depending on your interests and strong points.
Careers & Pay for Mental Health Counselors
A master’s degree in mental health counseling may equip you for a range of professions in the public and private sectors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Careers in mental health counseling have a much better vocational outlook than the norm.
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Clinical Director in Mental Health Care Facilities | $104,280 |
| Counseling Psychologist | $79,820 |
| Elementary and Secondary School Counselor | $64,960 |
| Career Counselor in Colleges and Universities | $51,660 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $51,340 |
| Mental Health Social Worker | $48,720 |
| Addiction and Substance Abuse Counselor | $47,660 |
| Behavioral Disorder Counselor in Outpatient Centers | $45,960 |
| Mental Health Counselor in Residential Facilities | $40,560 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $37,530 |
Careers in drug addiction, behavioral disorders, and mental health counseling are expected to expand at a pace of 25% over the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Marriage and family therapist employment is expected to increase by 22% over that period.
Employment in school and career counseling is predicted to expand by 8%, while positions in rehabilitation counseling are predicted to grow by 10%. These forecasts outpace the average rate of career growth in the United States during the last ten years.
Is Counseling a Good Career?
Whether or whether counseling is a suitable career choice is a subjective decision. The choice is yours. Perhaps you’ve always been fascinated by human behavior, connection formation, and decision-making, as well as the functioning of the brain. Furthermore, it’s possible that you’re motivated to use your expertise to benefit others.
Counseling may not be for you if gaining wealth, influence, and notoriety is what you consider a successful profession. However, you could have a knack for counseling if your idea of success is the amount of good you can do for other people.
How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make With a Masters Degree?
A master’s degree is the minimum requirement for the majority of professional counseling positions, so you’ll need it to begin your career. Nevertheless, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, counselors with bachelor’s degrees often make $37,000 a year, while those with master’s degrees typically make $50,000.
Consequently, the median pay for master’s degree holders in mental health counseling is $13,000 more than that of bachelor’s degree holders in counseling. Accordingly, the typical income increase for counselors with master’s degrees is 35%.
What Can I Do With a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling?
Obtaining a master’s degree in mental health counseling may facilitate entry into any of the positions included in this article. However, you could choose to pursue more study. Your master’s degree may serve as a stepping stone toward a PhD, which would raise your income potential as a counseling psychologist.
Another advanced career path is management at a mental health care institution. You might work as a clinical director if you have a master’s degree in mental health counseling, experience in the workplace, and training in health administration.
These are some ways in which you may further your education and career prospects by using your master’s degree in mental health counseling as a stepping stone.
Getting Your Masters in Mental Health Counseling Degree Online
Upon thorough investigation and deliberation, you may choose to pursue a master’s degree in mental health counseling. It’s then time to look at your program possibilities. Verify the accreditation status of the institution and the degree program before deciding on a certain school.
You will have the freedom to balance your online degree with other responsibilities, including your family and your existing employment. Start your fascinating educational adventure by looking into the various online master’s programs in mental health counseling that are available!
Also Read –
- How To Become A Mental Health Counselor: Education, Salary
- Online therapy for ADHD adults
- Online Therapy for ADHD
