Community and social service
Mental health counselor
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Median pay
$59,350
Growth to 2035
+18%
much faster than average
Openings a year
50,500
Time to qualify*
4.5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Mental health counselor
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Prior experience
- None
- Required
- NCE or NCMHCE exam · 2–3 years supervised practice · State LPC/LMHC license
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Exposure to disease
Mental health counselor: 25% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
- Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
- Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
- Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.
Also called: Addictions Counselor · CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) · Case Manager · Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor) · Chemical Dependency Professional · Counselor · Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS) · LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
Outlook and AI
Mental health counselors held 533,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 631,400 by 2035 (+18%, much faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Mental health counselor vs. Social worker
- Mental health counselor vs. Clinical psychologist
- Mental health counselor vs. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Mental health counselor vs. Marriage and family therapists
- Mental health counselor vs. Rehabilitation counselor
- Mental health counselor vs. Healthcare social worker
- Mental health counselor vs. Recreational therapist
- Mental health counselor vs. Psychiatrist
- Mental health counselor vs. Registered nurse
- Mental health counselor vs. Social and human service assistants