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$41,880
Average Salary
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Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists are typically required to have a master’s degree and a license to practice.
EducationTo become a mental health counselor or a marriage and family therapist, applicants typically need a master’s degree in psychology, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related mental health field. A bachelor’s degree in most fields is acceptable to enter a master’s program.
Counseling programs prepare students to recognize symptoms of mental and emotional disorders and to use effective counseling strategies. Marriage and family therapy programs teach students about how marriages, families, and relationships function and how these relationships can affect mental and emotional disorders.
Many employers prefer to hire counselors who have graduated from programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs.
TrainingCandidates gain hands-on experience through postdegree supervised clinical work, sometimes referred to as an internship or residency. In training, they learn to provide family therapy, group therapy, psychotherapy, and other therapeutic interventions, under the supervision of a licensed counselor.
LicensesAll states require mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to be licensed in the state in which they practice. Licensure requires a master’s degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of postdegree supervised clinical experience, sometimes referred to as an internship or residency. In addition, counselors and therapists must pass a state-recognized exam and complete annual continuing education classes.
Contact information for state boards regulating mental health counselors is available through the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Contact and licensing information for marriage and family therapists is available through the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards.
Important QualitiesCompassion. Counselors and therapists often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be compassionate and empathize with their clients.
Interpersonal skills. Being able to work with different types of people is essential for counselors and therapists. They spend most of their time working directly with clients and other professionals and must be able to encourage good relationships.
Listening skills. Good listening skills are essential for mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists, both of whom need to give their full attention to their clients to understand their problems, values, and goals.
Organizational skills. Good organizational skills are especially important for counselors and therapists in private practice, who must keep track of payments and work with insurance companies.
Speaking skills. Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists need to be able to communicate with clients effectively. They must express ideas and information in a way that clients can understand easily.
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Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Mental Health Associate
Top Careers After Mental Health Associate
Gender
Female
64.7%Male
32.9%Unknown
2.4%Ethnicity
White
81.8%Hispanic or Latino
9.7%Asian
6.2%Unknown
1.5%Black or African American
0.7%Languages Spoken
Spanish
57.9%French
14.7%Portuguese
3.2%Japanese
3.2%Arabic
3.2%Korean
2.1%Chinese
2.1%Swahili
1.1%Turkish
1.1%Hmong
1.1%Hindi
1.1%Mandarin
1.1%Indonesian
1.1%Ukrainian
1.1%Wolof
1.1%Igbo
1.1%Vietnamese
1.1%Russian
1.1%Nepali
1.1%Filipino
1.1%Mental Health Associate
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Schools
Western Kentucky University
12.2%Eastern Kentucky University
10.6%Texas State University
9.4%University of Kentucky
7.1%University of Louisville
6.7%University of Phoenix
5.5%University of Alabama at Birmingham
4.7%Walden University
4.7%Austin Peay State University
4.5%Capella University
4.5%Northeastern University
3.9%Liberty University
3.7%Lindsey Wilson College
3.5%Western Washington University
3.3%Portland State University
2.9%Grand Canyon University
2.9%University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2.7%Kean University
2.7%Temple University
2.4%Bridgewater State University
2.2%Majors
Degrees
Bachelors
40.0%Masters
32.0%Other
14.2%Associate
6.7%Certificate
2.7%Doctorate
2.7%Diploma
1.0%License
0.5%Mental Health Associate
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
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Eastern State Hospital
Alabama Clinical Schools
Rivendell Behavioral Health Services
San Marcos Treatment Center
Spectrum Care Academy
Pembroke Hospital
Laurel Heights Hospital
Oak Plains Academy
Copper Hills Youth Center
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Mental Health Associate at Our Lady of Peace
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Direction Behavioral Health Associates documentary video by Tim Bakland, Directed by Joe Walsh