If you’re interested in positively impacting people’s lives and mental states, a career as a mental health counselor (MHC) might be for you.
This position requires considerable educational training and on-site experience. Before you begin pursuing this career, it’s important to consider how long it takes to become a mental health counselor to determine if this is the right educational and career path for you. A mental health counselor’s work can be critical to individuals seeking to improve their overall well-being in the face of difficult issues. Because of the sensitivity of the position, the path to becoming a mental health counselor typically entails many steps.
Continue reading for more information on the timeline and requirements to become a licensed MHC, including details on the online master’s in counseling program at Wake Forest University.
What does a mental health counselor do?
The first step in researching the field is learning what a mental health counselor does.
Mental health counselors assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of mental and emotional health issues. They’re trained to provide one-to-one counseling and treatment for groups, families or even communities.
While the goal of clinical mental health counseling is to help clients develop coping strategies that can lead to improved mental well-being, no set template for approaching this goal exists. One reason is the sheer breadth of mental health challenges that can be assessed and treated through counseling. These challenges may include the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Adjustment disorders due to life changes, such as a new baby
- Eating disorders
- Sexual dysfunction
- Substance abuse
- Personality disorders
- Dementia
Mental health counselors work with their clients to help identify thoughts, behaviors and social or environmental contexts that could trigger issues. In some cases, mental health counselors may use psychotherapy as part of a treatment strategy. They may also refer clients to other resources or communal services, so clients can receive additional support.
While some mental health counselors open private practices, they also work in many other environments. The type of counseling that they deliver may depend on that environment. For example, counselors who practice within health care settings, such as hospitals, may provide counseling to patients dealing with dementia.
Becoming a mental health counselor
There are several crucial steps in the journey toward becoming a mental health counselor including earning your college degree, gaining real-world experience and passing certification exams.
Below, we outline each of these steps and provide an outline of how long it takes to become a mental health counselor.
How long does it take to become a mental health counselor?
Obtaining your master’s in clinical mental health counseling is essential to becoming a licensed MHC. The typical master’s in clinical mental health counseling online program, including the one offered at Wake Forest University, requires completing around 60 credit hours of coursework, though some other programs can require as many as 120 credit hours.
The timeframe for this process can vary depending on several factors, including the specific requirements of the program and licensure board, as well as individual circumstances such as part-time versus full-time enrollment and prior academic experience.
On average, a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling may take about two to three years to complete if you enroll full-time. Part-time enrollment options are also available, which may extend the duration of the program.
In addition to the education requirements, you will need to complete a practicum or internship, which may be included as part of your curriculum. This typically comprises 600 hours of experience at a clinical mental health counseling facility or school site in addition to pre-internship requirements. You’ll also need to earn any required certification and licensure before practicing fully.
Complete clinical mental health counseling practicum or internship
Completing a clinical mental health counseling practicum or internship marks a pivotal stage in a counselor’s journey toward professional proficiency. The process typically involves several fundamental steps.
- Seek out accredited programs aligned with your career goals, often within universities or counseling centers.
- Once enrolled, students undergo rigorous coursework and training to develop essential counseling skills, theory knowledge, and ethical understanding.
- Secure practicum or internship placements to apply theoretical concepts in real-world settings under supervision. Throughout this immersive experience, you will engage in client assessments, treatment planning, counseling sessions and case management, gradually honing your therapeutic abilities.
- Supervisors provide invaluable feedback and guidance, fostering reflective practice and enhancing clinical competence.
- Complete a clinical mental health counseling practicum or internship equips individuals with the practical skills and confidence necessary for a successful career in counseling.
We go into further detail about this process in this article.
Pass your licensure and certification exams
Licensure
State licenses give permission to a qualified individual to identify as a mental health counselor and to practice counseling.
Rules and licensing requirements vary by state. Typically, the requirements include earning a master’s degree from an accredited institution, gaining a certain number of hours of supervision and counseling experience, and earning passing scores on the required exams.
Those interested in learning how to become mental health counselors should familiarize themselves with the licensure requirements for their projected state of practice prior to starting the journey.
Certifications
A counseling certificate is a credential that signals to employers and clients that the counselor has met the national standards of the counseling profession.
Requirements include earning a master’s degree in counseling from an accredited program, completing a stipulated number of hours of supervision and counseling experience, and gaining passing scores on the required exams.
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) awards the following certifications:
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
- National Certified School Counselor (NCSC)
The National Board for Certified Counselors describes the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) as a test “designed to assess the knowledge, skills and abilities determined to be important for providing effective counseling services.” The test assesses a candidate’s ability to apply theoretical and skill-based knowledge through responses to clinical case studies. These case studies capture the “ability to identify, analyze, diagnose and develop plans for treatment of clinical concerns.”
While this test is required for mental health counselors, the time it takes to study and pass the NCMHCE varies by student and individual preparation. Preparation time for the exam may vary from person to person, but self-study packets and coaching are available. The test itself is slotted for 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete.
Getting ready for your certification exam
As everyone has different study techniques and needs, there’s no single way to prepare for your certification exam. But preparation typically will involve the following steps.
- Review: Begin by thoroughly reviewing the NCMHCE content outline provided by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Utilize study materials such as review books, practice exams, and online resources to familiarize yourself with the exam format and content.
- Registration: Register for the NCMHCE through the NBCC website. Pay close attention to registration deadlines and requirements to ensure a smooth process.
- Study Plan: Develop a structured study plan that covers all content areas tested on the exam. Allocate sufficient time each day to review material, complete practice questions and assess your progress.
By following these steps and incorporating effective study strategies, you can increase your chances of passing the NCMHCE and advancing in your career as a clinical mental health counselor.
Advancing in the clinical mental health counseling field
Many mental health counselors choose to pursue additional training and certification in specific areas of counseling. By earning a specialization, you can provide a higher standard of care for more specific issues and concerns, and you can pursue advanced roles within the clinical mental health counseling field.
Some common examples of specializations include the following:
- Addiction counseling: This involves helping individuals overcome dependencies on drugs, alcohol or other substances.
- Trauma therapy: This specialization focuses on helping individuals recover from traumatic experiences such as abuse, violence or accidents.
- Family counseling: Professionals in this specialization work with families to improve communication, resolve conflicts and build stronger relationships.
By obtaining additional training and certification in these areas, mental health counselors can develop specialized skills and knowledge to better serve their clients’ needs.
What degree is needed to be a clinical mental health counselor?
Earning a master’s degree is an essential step for those who want to become a mental health counselor. The most directly relevant degrees for this career are a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a more general Master of Arts in Counseling, which may feature a specialization or a set of elective courses focusing on mental health. However, you may be able to pursue a career in mental health counseling with any closely related master’s degree.
Before gaining admission into a master’s degree program, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree. Some institutions also require that prospective students take the GRE.
A master’s degree program in counseling typically incorporates clinical instruction, lectures and practical experience. Students learn how to identify issues that can negatively impact their clients. They also gain competencies in developing safe and ethical interventions that employ many of the advanced tenets of consultation and counseling theory.
As part of your master’s degree program, you may prepare for licensure and partake in experiential learning opportunities like internships or practicums. Internships and practical training allow students and prospective mental health counselors to gain skills under professional counselors’ supervision.
CACREP accredited online counseling programs
In order to ensure you get a high-quality education that will be recognized by employers and professionals in the clinical mental health counseling field, it’s important to ensure that your master’s degree program is accredited. The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the accrediting agency for master’s degrees in counseling.
CACREP’s curriculum requirements include professional counseling orientation and ethical practice, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, counseling and helping relationships, group counseling and group work, assessment and testing, and research and program evaluation.
Wake Forest University’s online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program meets the requirements set forth by the CACREP and can be found in their directory of quality programs across the country.
The demand for mental health counselors
With the increasing awareness of the importance of mental health in the overall health and well-being of individuals has come a rapidly growing demand for mental health counselors in various settings.
The job market for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow by 18% between 2022 and 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is about six times higher than the 3% job growth that the BLS projects across all professions in the United States.
Many of these jobs are in specialized fields, such as family counseling, substance abuse counseling, stress management, career counseling and marriage counseling.
Graduates of clinical mental health counseling programs find opportunities to launch and advance their careers as psychotherapists, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, program directors, human resources professionals and employee assistance managers.
Job settings include the following:
- Career services
- Correctional facilities
- Hospitals
- Mental health clinics
- Private practices
- Research institutions
- Schools and universities
- Social services agencies
Take the next step toward becoming a mental health counselor
If you’re ready to begin your master’s degree and pursue a future as a mental health counselor, start here.
Begin your journey by enrolling in the online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Wake Forest University, a program that melds comprehensive curriculum, high-quality classroom instruction by experienced professionals, and practical training that allows students to gain real-world experience under supervision.
Our online master’s in counseling program is specifically designed to be flexible for those who want to work full-time or have other personal obligations. The online platform helps students balance their academic studies with their busy lives.
The program’s academic rigor and its 95% student pass rate for the National Counselor Examination are part of what gives Wake Forest University’s master’s in counseling program its reputation for excellence.
Sources
National Board for Certified Counselors, “National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination”