Here the candidate may primarily play the role of an assistant or a trainee by working alongside a senior mental health therapist. The National Board for Certified Counselors can provide you with the information and certification you need to boost your career. Taking classes that focus on cultural diversity is also important, as mental health counselors work with men and women from diverse socioeconomic and multicultural backgrounds, he said. Complete a master's degree program that aligns with national standards. In this field, experience and industry niche play an important role in shaping one’s earning potential. Licensing usually requires holding a master’s degree and completing roughly 3000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Welch said it's important for graduate students to demonstrate that they can multitask, prioritize, and assimilate information. Epidemiologists are public health facilitators, who study concerns, trends and threats to the health of a specific population. 2. With a bachelor’s degree, a candidate can star work as an aide, a social health worker or an assistant in the field of mental health therapy. Furthermore, multinationals and large companies are realizing the importance of having a psychologically strong and mentally sound workforce therefore providing them with insurance options to seek mental health therapy. Regardless of their title, nurses in all roles are expected to demonstrate leadership, and must challenge themselves and the profession to develop effective leadership styles. They enjoy rich, rewarding careers where they make a difference by using their listening, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. "What we did ... was build the curriculum with national accreditation and state statutes in mind. If they move to another state, licensing requirements could be different from the state where they currently reside, for example. "Becoming licensed through your state and receiving that training prepares you to know what to do no matter who walks through your door. At that point, graduates are working in a paid position but with a supervisor approved by their state board who is documenting their hours, Welch said. With issues such as addiction, childhood trauma and dementia in an aging population driving the demand for licensed counselors, the need for them is expected to grow 20% between now and 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "When at a site, supervisors spend time training you on their protocols and procedures, and you build a caseload." Franc Hudspeth, an associate dean of SNHU's online counseling program, said courses in human growth and development help students understand the continuum of human growth, giving them a better understanding of the transitions that take place during childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older adulthood. In the practicum, students work with actual clients under the supervision of a licensed counselor for a minimum of 100 hours. There are various credentials available which may help you progress throughout your career. While it's not required that students have on-the-job experience when they apply to a graduate program, it can be helpful to work in a mental health setting to gain a better understanding of how well suited you are for a counseling role. "Students often go to sites that pique their interests, and we encourage them to stick to one site for the duration of their training," Welch said. Simply put, a mental health therapist provides psychological care and treatment to those who are suffering from mental, emotional and psychological issues. In most states, licensing and certification are necessary for becoming a full-fledged mental health therapist. The American Counseling Association provides a directory of all state professional counselor licensure boards. Job duties also depend on the specialty such as school therapy, substance abuse therapy, domestic disturbance therapy, and so on. Develop your interpersonal skills Getting good grades is only part of the equation. The job duties of mental health therapists are largely dependent on their work environment. A number of reasons contribute to this favorable forecast. "The reason for becoming licensed is that you can be prepared to work with anyone you meet." Using the sciences, you will have to deal with patients and diagnose their mental issues, treat them and prevent them from surfacing again. All Rights Reserved. Program outcomes vary according to each institution's curriculum and job opportunities are not guaranteed. This includes obtaining a Bachelor's Degree, then a Master's Degree, and finally entering into a Doctorate or PhD program. Many schools cultivate relationships with sites, but students are often called upon to find their own sites and have them approved, Hudspeth said. A mental health therapist may work in a number of settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, educational institutes, mental research facilities, clinics and so on. Students should be prepared to work individually, with partners, and in small groups throughout their coursework. This is because an adequate standard of education potentially guarantees the candidate’s intellect, work ethic and knowledge. For instance, individuals and societies are now more open to seeking help from mental health therapists as the results are positive. Once accepted and in school, take opportunities to join student organizations and do research. To become a psychotherapist, one should first earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. "Some states expect you to complete your post-graduate work within a specific time frame." This will allow the candidate to play a larger role in the mental health industry which will put them on the fast track to their expanding career. Students must understand the specific requirements of the state in which they intend to apply for licensure and be apprised of any changes to those requirements. Mental issues may be ranging from stress to dealing with the loss of a loved one. Other forms of mental issues include dealing with aging, marital problems, low self-esteem, substance abuse, addiction and many others. "They have to be inter-personally relatable and have the courage to be honest with themselves and their clients." 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