Online Mental Health Counseling Degrees

According to the United States Department of Labor and Department of Labor Statistics, employment of mental health counselors is expected to grow 28 percent over the next decade. Employment opportunities will be favorable because job openings are expected to exceed the number of graduates from counseling programs, particularly in rural areas. Also, there has been increased demand for mental health services as individuals become more willing to seek help. Mental health counselors are trained in the principles of:

• Counseling
• Positive psychology
• Psychotherapy and prevention

Practitioners are dedicated to the optimal functioning of individuals, families, and organizations. As an LMHC, you will be able to establish and implement evidence-based interventions to address the clients’ needs. Not only may you work in a private practice, but you may also practice with other licensed professionals in a setting authorized to provide services.

As a mental health counselor, you will use assessment, treatment planning, case management, and preventive intervention for dealing with mental health and non-mental health issues such as:

• Adjustment disorders
• Anxiety
• Dementia
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, psychotic disorders)
• Quality of life, psychological and vocational well being
• Substance abuse

After the identification and evaluation of the mental health issues, you will be able to employ evidence-based methods to treat individual conditions.

To find out more about the different domains of knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the mental health counseling profession visit the O*NET website. O*NET is the nation's primary source of occupational information. The O*NET Resource Center is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, and developed by the National Center for O*NET Development.