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Job outlook for treatment specialists in the United States
Treatment specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected treatment specialist job growth rate is 0% from 2018-2028.
About 100 new jobs for treatment specialists are projected over the next decade.
Treatment specialist salaries have increased 11% for treatment specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 58,644 treatment specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 67,604 active treatment specialist job openings in the US.
The average treatment specialist salary is $53,673.
Are treatment specialist jobs in demand?
Treatment specialist job and salary trends over time
Treatment specialist jobs over time
Treatment specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 58,644 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 58,053 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 57,768 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 55,738 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 53,256 | 0.02% |
Average treatment specialist salary over time
Treatment specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $53,673 | $25.80 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $52,324 | $25.16 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $51,100 | $24.57 | +3.1% |
| 2023 | $49,548 | $23.82 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $48,343 | $23.24 | +1.6% |
Treatment specialist jobs by state
Most common states for treatment specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,655 | 39% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 303 | 23% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 167 | 23% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 161 | 23% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,112 | 18% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 176 | 17% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 497 | 16% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 314 | 16% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 168 | 16% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 153 | 16% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 97 | 16% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,868 | 15% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,082 | 15% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 839 | 15% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 200 | 15% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 131 | 15% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 111 | 15% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 79 | 14% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 465 | 13% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 223 | 13% |
Most common cities for treatment specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Post Falls | 2 | 6% | $50,388 |
| 2 | Bismarck | 2 | 3% | $53,865 |
| 3 | Atwater | 1 | 3% | $73,672 |
| 4 | Littleton | 1 | 2% | $43,970 |
| 5 | Lompoc | 1 | 2% | $73,603 |
| 6 | Mentor | 1 | 2% | $51,734 |
| 7 | Brockton | 1 | 1% | $60,065 |
| 8 | Fargo | 1 | 1% | $53,805 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $36,508 |
| 10 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $51,435 |
| 11 | Cleveland | 1 | 0% | $51,635 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $70,315 |
| 13 | Montgomery | 1 | 0% | $44,589 |
| 14 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $53,806 |
Treatment Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of treatment specialist experts
Adelphi University
Saint Xavier University
Western Illinois University
Lewis University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
University of North Dakota
North Dakota State University
Brenau University
Austin Community College
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Sea Mar Community Health Centers
University of New Orleans
Pomona College
What general advice would you give to a Treatment Specialist?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Education and Credentials: Invest in obtaining advanced degrees and relevant certifications that enhance your qualifications and marketability. A master's or doctoral degree in counseling psychology, along with licensure or certification in your jurisdiction, can significantly increase your earning potential. Specialization and Niche Expertise: Develop expertise in specialized areas of counseling psychology that are in demand or command higher fees. Consider focusing on niche populations, such as children and adolescents, trauma survivors, couples therapy, family therapy and acquire specialized training or certifications to differentiate yourself in the market. Clinical Experience and Internships: Gain diverse clinical experience through internships, practicum placements, and supervised training opportunities. Continuing Education and Professional Development: Stay abreast of emerging trends, research findings, and evidence-based practices in counseling psychology through continuing education, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
What Treatment Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Digital Literacy and Teletherapy Skills: With the continued integration of technology in mental health care, counselors will need to enhance their proficiency in digital platforms and teletherapy modalities. This includes utilizing secure video conferencing tools, managing electronic health records (EHR), and maintaining ethical standards in online therapy settings. Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness: As awareness of cultural diversity and social justice issues grows, counselors must deepen their understanding of intersectionality and cultural humility. Competence in working with diverse populations and addressing systemic barriers to mental health care will from an antiracism lens will be essential for providing inclusive and culturally responsive services. Trauma-Informed Care: Given the prevalence of trauma and its impact on mental health, counselors will need to adopt trauma-informed approaches across various settings. This includes recognizing the signs of trauma, creating safe environments for disclosure, and integrating trauma-sensitive interventions into counseling practice. Resilience-Building and Positive Psychology: In addition to addressing mental health challenges, there will be a greater emphasis on promoting resilience and well-being. Counselors will incorporate positive psychology principles, such as strengths-based interventions and mindfulness techniques, to empower clients and enhance their coping skills. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Care: With the recognition of the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, counselors will collaborate more closely with other healthcare professionals in integrated care settings. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams will be essential for providing holistic and comprehensive care to clients. Data Literacy and Outcome Measurement: Increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice and outcome measurement will require counselors to develop skills in data collection, analysis, and outcome evaluation. Ethical Decision-Making in Complex Situations: As counseling scenarios become increasingly complex, counselors will face ethical dilemmas that require nuanced decision-making. Strengthening skills in ethical reasoning, consultation, and ethical sensitivity will enable counselors to navigate challenging ethical issues with integrity and professionalism.
What will help Treatment Specialists increase their earning potential?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Continued Learning and Development: Stay committed to lifelong learning by attending workshops, pursuing advanced certifications, and staying updated on the latest research and therapeutic techniques. Supervision and Mentorship: Seek out supervision and mentorship opportunities from experienced professionals in the field. Consider participating in a peer supervision group where you can support one another and be open to constructive criticism as part of your development. Engage in regular self-reflection for personal growth. Prioritize Self-Care: Establish healthy boundaries between work and personal life, engage in activities that recharge you and help prevent burn out. Cultural Competence and Diversity: Cultivate cultural humility and strive to understand the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of your clients. Continuously educate yourself on multiculturalism and antiracism to provide competent and inclusive counseling services. Ethical Practice: Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards in your practice. Strive to Build Strong Therapeutic Relationships: Establish rapport, demonstrate empathy, and create a safe and trusting environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings. Evidence-Based Practice: Stay informed about research findings and utilize interventions that have been empirically validated for specific client populations and presenting issues. Networking and Collaboration: Build professional connections within the counseling community. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in networking events to expand your professional network. Collaboration with colleagues can lead to referrals, consultation opportunities, and mutual support. Consider doing some pro bono work: Pro bono services help bridge the gap to access mental health services for individuals who cannot afford them.
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC
Assistant Dean & Program Director, Master's programs in General Psychology and Mental Health CounselingAdelphi University
Mental And Social Health Services And Allied Professions
What general advice would you give to a Treatment Specialist?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: In the next few years, counselors will benefit from developing skills in emerging technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and how such technology is being used by clients through various social media applications that might lead to clinical concerns (.e.g., dating, gambling, pornography). Integrating some of these new technologies into therapeutically sound interventions will be one way to address these concerns both in traditional therapy settings, as well as virtually (e.g., avatar therapy).
What Treatment Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: Given the complexities of the world today, emerging counseling professionals must be flexible in their treatment approach, inclusive in their understanding of diverse cultures and sub-cultures, and mature professionally through humility, self-reflection, and self-care.
What will help Treatment Specialists increase their earning potential?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: One way to maximize your earning potential when starting your career is to develop a focus, not just a specialization. A focus requires a broader lens when it comes to earnings. For example, specializing in clinical treatments for addiction is important and will generate referrals. However, having a focus in addiction treatments extends your reach into other adjacent areas such as business applications and services offered outside of the therapy office. It might start with the question, 'what other groups or organizations might benefit from my focus area?' This might lead to a consultation opportunity at a business that is interested in reducing burnout for its employees and by extension the sequelae of problems associated with burnout (e.g., depression, addiction). One opportunity often leads to another. The second way to maximize income early in your career is to consider ways to translate what you do into a public-facing profile. Whether using LinkedIn or your own website, it is crucial for the public to become acquainted with you professionally. Investing in this process will pay off quickly.
What general advice would you give to a Treatment Specialist?
Kristen Toole: Remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Personal and professional development are
lifelong processes that are never really finished. So, it is essential to pace yourself and establish a
foundation of healthy practices from the outset. Creating habits and routines in the beginning
with the end in mind can be a good strategy for success and sustainability.
Keep work-life balance and boundaries in mind from the start because breaking bad habits can
be tricky once established. Think about where you ultimately want to be and build toward that
future one step at a time. Also, it is okay if plans change! You never know where open-
mindedness and willingness to learn may take you.
What Treatment Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kristen Toole: This is an exciting time to be a counselor. It is a time for integration and inclusivity. With an
increasing focus on neuroscience and the advent of telehealth, incorporating science and
technology in counseling is increasingly relevant.
The use of technology is on the rise. As more people become familiar with telehealth, counselors
must become comfortable providing virtual care. Telehealth practices are also critical to
expanding our reach and improving the accessibility of our services.
Undeniable links between science and counseling continue to emerge. Findings in neuroscience
are shaping how we understand counseling and informing best practices (Cammisuli &
Castelnuovo, 2023). Furthermore, this supports incorporating knowledge and skills from other
disciplines to broaden the counseling field's horizons.
Mastering essential attending behaviors and the basic listening sequence (Ivey et al., 2018) is not
enough if we cannot successfully and accurately position our clients against a backdrop of broad
and complex contextual factors. Embracing diverse perspectives is crucial to supporting holistic
counseling practices. Integrating new information will be the key to achieving a more complete
and inclusive understanding of our clients and our work as we move forward.
What will help Treatment Specialists increase their earning potential?
Kristen Toole: Post-pandemic disparities have highlighted the necessity of prioritizing mental health and the
need for more mental health providers (Fink-Samnick, 2023; Health Resources & Services
Administration, 2023). The counseling field is expected to outpace the national average for
occupational growth six-fold over the next ten years (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022). There is
no question that counselors are in demand, but there are still a few strategies for new
professionals to maximize their salary potential.
A growing number of students are entering counseling graduate programs, having completed
undergraduate minors and focus areas in related fields. This is fantastic conceptually and can be
a vital strategy for enhancing their counseling work. Skill building is one way to optimize
success and salary.
Some graduate programs, like Xavier's, offer options for obtaining additional certifications along
the way to a master's degree. In Xavier's counseling program, students can choose courses that
allow them to get certificates in addiction counseling and medical trauma-informed care. For
clinical mental health counselors, this is an excellent way to demonstrate skill mastery, and for
school counselors, it provides a unique opportunity to broaden their scope of practice. Either
way, additional certifications exhibit a commitment that potential employers can appreciate.
Counselors who are well-informed about their market value and earning potential can engage in
informed offer negotiations. Additional skills are one way beginning professionals can increase
their starting salary. However, it is important to remember that total earnings include several
elements, and salary is just one piece of that puzzle.
Counselors are immensely versatile and can find work in various settings, so they need to
understand their options in addition to their earning potential. Benefits, schedule, and location
are other things that can impact the earnings bottom line and are essential to consider. Finally,
counselors must know themselves: personality, interests, work values, and abilities impact job fit
and, ultimately, work satisfaction. These are crucial considerations for mitigating compassion
fatigue (Stamm, 2010), which can limit counselors' longevity.
New professionals must research and reflect as they enter the job market. There are many things
to consider when choosing a job, and it can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, various resources,
such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*Net, Glassdoor, and Monster, offer
indispensable tools and information to job seekers.
What general advice would you give to a Treatment Specialist?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: A practicing counselor's day is often full of sessions with clients. These sessions may be individual therapy, couples/families, or groups of individuals with some shared presenting issue. Counselors also have to complete paperwork associated with these sessions throughout the day. Some counselors also provide supervision to newer practitioners as a part of their work roles.
What Treatment Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: There is a critical need for mental health care in our world. Many want to help with this need, making counseling a good profession to enter now.
What will help Treatment Specialists increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Specialist in School Psychology and Clinical/ Community Mental Health Graduate ProgramsWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Treatment Specialist?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
What Treatment Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
What will help Treatment Specialists increase their earning potential?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - I think skills in using and being familiar with artificial intelligence (AI) will be important in our field now and in the upcoming five years. The capabilities of the open AI sources has exponentially grown smarter in just the past year. The tools accessible are revolutionizing the way people write reports, generate recommendations, capture clinical notes, and even summarize and synthesize information. It is technology that we must learn to understand after the point of graduate training where we can apply our professional decision-making skills and theoretical knowledge to the information input/output of this great technology.
Dion Porter Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Department Chair Coordinator-Online Educational Specialist ProgramsWhat Treatment Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dion Porter Ph.D.: The first thing to keep in mind is that in order to receive promotions and salary increases, one needs to always continue to improve themselves, their counseling skills and their overall knowledge and proficiency related to their specific job. Not only do we need to keep practicing self-improvement and growing as a counseling professional, but we also need to remember to continue obtaining the licenses and certifications needed for them to remain qualified to be able to maintain their positions. Finally, we want to consistently and effectively market ourselves and never be afraid to take professional chances and risks that may benefit us and our careers in the long run.
Lisa Brown
Assistant ProfessorLewis University
School Counseling Program
What hard/technical skills are most important for Treatment Specialists?
Lisa Brown: Because of the prevalence of social/emotional issues within K-12, especially in the last few years, school counselors need to have assessment skills. School counselors need to identify any red flags in their students that may indicate the student is struggling. This goes beyond academics and includes aspects such as interpersonal skills and self-worth.
Similar to assessment is data analysis. The gathering of data does not stop after a student is assessed but rather is just beginning. School counselors are held accountable to demonstrate the interventions they are utilizing are working. Data is also used to secure future funds. If an intervention used within the fall resulted in little change, a school district might not allocate funds to continue to use the same program. School counselors utilize data to demonstrate how effective they are and advocate for additional resources to address social/emotional issues within their student body.
As we learned during COVID-19, school counselors need to be tech-savvy. Many students are still learning remotely or are utilizing a hybrid format. While this has been quite helpful for some students, others are falling through the cracks. School counselors have had to get creative in checking in with their students and are doing so through technology.
Pamela Teaster Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Center for GerontologyVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Department of Human Development and Family
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Treatment Specialists?
Pamela Teaster Ph.D.: Possibly. Surely there is an impact on the ability of some students to be hired post-graduation. Some students who had positions lined up in the early spring found themselves without a position due to companies/academia/government halting hiring and work. This circumstance has the unfortunate effect of delaying graduates' entry into the job market and of putting them in competition with students who will be entering the job market in 2020. Students who have interests in fields that have a direct, as well as the indirect relationship to healthcare and public health, could find that their skills are in high demand, now and post-COVID.
Dr. Raymond Ortega Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock
Rehabilitation Counseling Program
What skills will help Treatment Specialists earn the most?
Dr. Raymond Ortega Ph.D.: Specialization in Life Care Planning, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, or Worker's Compensation.
Erin Foster Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Neurology and PsychiatryWashington University School of Medicine in St Louis
Program in Occupational Therapy
What skills stand out on Treatment Specialist resumes?
Erin Foster Ph.D.: Track record of publications, presentations, funding; advanced statistical analysis; clinical experience; teaching and mentoring.
What soft skills should all Treatment Specialists possess?
Erin Foster Ph.D.: Grit, resilience, persistence; flexibility, adaptability; ability to work in multi/inter-disciplinary teams, collaborate, interpersonal skills; ethics, integrity; leadership & management.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What skills stand out on Treatment Specialist resumes?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that stand out on Counselor resumes include multilingual, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and leadership skills.
What soft skills should all Treatment Specialists possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Treatment Specialists?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
What skills will help Treatment Specialists earn the most?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that will help you earn the most include teletherapy and trauma-informed care.
Isaac Karikari Ph.D.
MSW Program Director, Chemical Dependency Minor, Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Dakota
Department of Social Work
What soft skills should all Treatment Specialists possess?
Isaac Karikari Ph.D.: By default, social work practice is integrative. The levels of practice, broadly speaking, the micro-and macro-levels, intersect in ways that may not always be apparent. The capacity for critical and analytical thinking in identifying the nuances, seeing how these levels intersect, and understanding the implications for clients is essential for effective practice.
Relatedly, social work practice involves working with a diverse array of people across different systems and levels. A social worker needs to be able to navigate these systems. Systems thinking and the person-in-environment perspective are relevant.
Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential in helping one build and make the needed connections. These skills apply across the micro and macro levels.
The capacity to work collaboratively and with interdisciplinary teams is important. Other skills include genuinely demonstrating respect, empathy, reliability, integrity, and adaptability. Forbearance and emotional intelligence are often understated.
Social workers also need to have grit. Achieving and maintaining successful outcomes can be challenging.
What skills will help Treatment Specialists earn the most?
Isaac Karikari Ph.D.: -Versatility and the ability to adapt are important.
In this regard, there should be a commitment to lifelong learning and engaging opportunities for growth and development.
-Creativity and problem-solving
-Critical thinking/Analytical skills
-Leadership
There is the interplay and cumulative effect of skills, experience, and time. Those who refine their skills and acquire diverse experiences over time stand to earn more.
Joel Hektner Ph.D.
Professor and Department HeadNorth Dakota State University
Human Development and Family Science
What skills will help Treatment Specialists earn the most?
Joel Hektner Ph.D.: The ability to adapt your skills to the context you are in.
Dr. Robert Cantu
Associate ProfessorBrenau University
Physical therapy Department
What soft skills should all Treatment Specialists possess?
Dr. Robert Cantu: People skills: For the workgroup: ability and willingness to work in groups and manage conflict. Flexibility: Willingness to occasionally work late or come in early to accommodate the patient load. Team player attitude. Willingness to play their assigned part on the team. Strong commitment and discipline for timely completion of tasks such as daily paperwork. This shows "discipline in the drudgery," which is critical for the smooth operation of the clinic and results in better customer service.
People skills: For patient management: Empathy, the warmth of personality, a caring demeanor, and express kindness. And absolutely, a willingness to always put the patient first. Good eye contact, firm but kind, reassuring handshake (or a kind elbow bump). The understanding is that even though they work for a company, ultimately, the clinician works for the patient.
What skills will help Treatment Specialists earn the most?
Dr. Robert Cantu: First and foremost: Patient and referral source engagement skills. Being able to quickly earn trust and confidence from patients so they will return and complete their rehab. They will have the confidence to refer other patients to the candidate and the clinic from referral sources. This is the lifeblood of any clinical practice.
Second: Business affinity: Understanding that the purpose of any business (including healthcare) is to create wealth. Understanding how to charge for your services ethically and efficiently. Also, understanding that if a business is not growing, it is shrinking. This means an affinity to grow your individual practice and the overall practice. An understanding that we are operating in an industry.
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.
Department Chair: Human ServicesAustin Community College
Human Services Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Treatment Specialists?
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.: a. Must have strong basic computer skills and knowledge of software such as excel spreadsheets, google docs, etc. Most, if not all, agencies use electronic health records and treatment planning, so it is necessary to be competent in this area.
b. A degree and additional certifications will assist you in seeking employment. It will also increase your level of competency and diversify the communities you serve. For example, at Austin Community College, we offer our students a chance to complete a certification in Mental Health First Aid Training. This increases their marketability and skill level.
Dr. Christopher Shelton Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Director, Virtual/Augmented Reality Lab (VAR Lab)Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Treatment Specialists?
Dr. Christopher Shelton Ph.D.: Yes, there will be an enduring impact on psychology graduates, as a result of the pandemic. The pandemic is certainly helping to increase public awareness surrounding the importance of mental health and wellbeing. During the pandemic, we are facing troubling mental health trends. Namely, a significant rise in mental health concerns across the country. This is problematic on many fronts, but in the context of employment, it is widening the gap between the supply of mental health practitioners and the increasing demand for mental health services. Even pre-pandemic, our ability to meet the increasing mental health demands was lacking, with many places across the US being classified as Health Professional Shortage Areas by the US Department of Health & Human Services. Simply put, there are not enough mental health practitioners in the US to meet the current need. Given, the sharp rise in mental health concerns due to the pandemic, it is likely that there will continue to be a significant need for psychology graduates interested in mental health professions over the next decade.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Treatment Specialists?
Dr. Christopher Shelton Ph.D.: Within the mental health field, having specialized psychological training, in addition to a broad set of fundamental psychological skills, can help graduates stand out when on the job market. Future psychology graduates interested in mental health careers should prepare along their academic journey to partake in trainings and seek out certifications that align with their post-academic goals.
For those with a psychology degree at the undergraduate level, licensure is not always a requirement for jobs within the mental health field (e.g., case manager, mental health technician, social work assistant, health educator). That said, having additional certifications you can attain through specific academic training (e.g., Behavioral Health and Counseling Psychology Certificate or Child Development Certificate) or additional trainings outside of academia, focused on specialized mental health initiatives (e.g., Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Facilitator training) can have a positive impact on job prospects. Moreover, those with a psychology undergraduate degree may wish to consider pursuing graduate training. Attaining a master or doctoral level graduate degree in any of the many mental health domains (e.g., clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school counseling) can have a significant impact on factors such as starting salary, lifetime earning potential, range of potential jobs one is suited for, and overall career advancement.
For those with a psychology degree at the graduate level, licensure is a fundamental part of most mental health professions (e.g., psychologists, counselors, social workers, school counselors) and will certainly impact job prospects. Many places will help to provide those seeking licensure with the post-educational supervised training hours required by their specific state licensing board. That being said, once you have the required training, you should plan to sit for and complete the state licensure exam, as soon as possible. Being licensed is often seen as a benefit by employers seeking to hire mental health professionals. Moreover, one typically has greater flexibility in their work once licensed (e.g., opening their own private practice, joining an integrated health unit at a medical center).
In addition to seeking state licensure, individuals with graduate level degrees should also consider seeking additional board certification (e.g., American Board of Professional Psychology, National Board for Certified Counselors). Board certification signifies one has expertise in a specific area and can help to differentiate an individual from other practitioners.
What will help Treatment Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Christopher Shelton Ph.D.: There are several methods that are particularly effective in significantly increasing earning potential. First, seeking additional post-baccalaureate training at either the master or doctoral level. Second, completing trainings with various organizations that result in certificates denoting a specialty in a particular area. Third, working towards and gaining national board certification. Lastly, gaining experience in developing or providing remote mental health services. The pandemic has created a significant shift in the mode of service delivery for those seeking to address their mental health needs. Due to factors such as social distancing requirements, many mental health services during the pandemic have shifted to a virtual, online modality. It is likely that demand for virtual treatments will remain elevated, even post-pandemic. Thus, graduates who have familiarity and expertise in providing telehealth will be better equipped to differentiate themselves from other mental health practitioners.
How have salaries changed over time for Treatment Specialists?
Lisa Corbin Ph.D.: Starting salary for a counselor is between $35,000 and 60,000.
While there may be a need to fill clinical positions, it is a hard sell to invite people into the counseling profession considering students need a bachelors and masters degree and the return on investment is fairly low. However, there are numerous federal programs for loan repayment. Many loan repayment programs help clinicians who are often working at non-profit organizations pay back loans within ten years and payments are based upon the graduate's income. Also, a counselor often has a flexible work schedule and experiences feelings of fulfillment from helping others. Counselor positions vary from working in community mental health, to being a consultant, to working in a private practice (in which the salary is much higher than 60,000), to working for a correctional facility, to human resources, to the armed forces, etc. There is a lot you can do with the degree and the skills you learn while attending graduate school.
I believe with the field being more recognized that salaries may increase.
What soft skills should all Treatment Specialists possess?
Vanna Kong: Soft skills that I believe are important for new graduates are to be open to changes. The reason why I say that is because during COVID, I had to implement many changes to the way we do our normal clinic processes. It was a struggle to get staff to buy into these new changes but I had to remind everyone that the overall focus was to ensure that patients and staff risks to COVID was minimize as much as possible during a visit.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Treatment Specialists?
Christopher Todd Belser Ph.D.: 100 percent, yes. The coronavirus pandemic has greatly impacted the training experiences that emerging graduates have received, especially those who have been working at practicum and internship sites in 2020 and 2021. Many students had to navigate school site closures and pivots to online learning both in their K-12 field site and their graduate coursework. On one hand, this has likely limited some of the experiences they were able to gain as a graduate student, and on the other hand, it forced them to become acquainted with new technologies and new real-world crises while working under a supportive network of university and site supervisors. In addition to the direct impacts on the graduates themselves, the coronavirus pandemic has also sparked conversations about what role school counselors will play in responding to student needs as we move toward a new normal. The events of 2020, including both the coronavirus pandemic and racial justice efforts, will likely be watershed moments for the current generations of K-12 students, and the impacts will be both immediate and long-term. School counselors will need to dive head first into helping K-12 students work through grief/loss, fears and anxieties, academic challenges, motivation loss, career and postsecondary concerns, and a myriad of other issues related to reintegrating into on-site school environments. And as K-12 employees whose identity bridges education and mental health, there will be a great need for school counselors to act as leaders, advocates, collaborators, and change agents in response efforts that are equitable and systems-oriented.
What's a day at work look like for a Treatment Specialist?
Christopher Todd Belser Ph.D.: I'm not sure there was a "typical day" before COVID-19 for school counselors and I don't think there will be after. Because the pandemic is ongoing, graduates going immediately into school settings may still need to be prepared for environments that are virtual at least to some degree. Even if schools are moving more toward on-site learning, some element of virtual learning will likely still be in place, and if there is an unfortunate need to return to virtual learning, school counselors will need to be prepared to organize their work in that way. More concretely, day-to-day tasks will involve checking-in with specific students, making referrals for long-term mental health care, going into classrooms to deliver counseling-related lessons, conducting small group interventions, meeting with parents and teachers, etc. And because of the magnitude of the COVID-19 impact, school counselors will need to avoid the trap of "random acts of guidance" and be prepared to gathering universal data on student needs and delivering multi-tiered services to students in response to these needs.
What will help Treatment Specialists increase their earning potential?
Christopher Todd Belser Ph.D.: In many states and districts, school counselor salaries are based on a set pay scale, so earning potential is more tied to getting a school counseling job and keeping that job. New graduates often face the dreaded critique of lacking work experience as compared to more seasoned job candidates. However, newer graduates are also more likely to have been trained to design and deliver multi-tiered interventions and more trained on how to utilize school data to drive school counseling programming. Job candidates looking to stand out will need to be able to concretely discuss how their training will help solve issues that the school is facing, which does involve doing a bit of research on the school to which one is applying. Additionally, graduates need to recognize the importance of ongoing professional development--trainings, workshops, and certifications that equip school counselors to address unique circumstances of the school can only increase a person's effectiveness and longevity as a school counselor. Although grants and other external funding typically don't increase salaries for school counselors, these funding opportunities can help purchase evidence-based programs, support interventions, and buy other necessary materials that can make a school counselor's work a little bit easier. Lastly, school counselors can consider pursuing a doctorate degree in a related field (e.g., counselor education and supervision, educational leadership) to enhance their skills and expertise, open doors for new work opportunities and promotions, and possibly move them up on a pay scale.
What's a good job out of college for Treatment Specialists?
Gary Yeritsian: For sociologists seeking work right out of college, entry-level jobs in government agencies (especially those that provide public services) or social change oriented nonprofits are ideal. Sociology majors combine a capacity for critical thinking with a concern for advancing social justice which can provide value for such organizations. Graduates in this category should aim to secure relevant internships in their third and fourth year of undergrad in order to be able to transition to full-time roles for those organizations or similar ones where that experience will be relevant.