Accelerating Your Growth: The Top 5 Mental Health Counseling Careers for Rapid Success

Mental health counseling is an important field that affects the lives of many people. Mental health counselors work with patients to discuss and treat mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety disorders. They also help those who are coping with such conditions as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and substance abuse problems.

Mental health counseling offers countless opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of others—and yourself as you progress rapidly in your career. If you’re wondering what career paths are available in mental health counseling, here are five of the most popular options, along with a brief description of what they entail and how much they earn:

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

A clinical mental health counselor is a professional who helps individuals, families, and groups of people to manage and overcome mental health and substance abuse issues. They may work in a variety of settings, such as private practices, hospitals, schools, and community centers. Clinical mental health counselors use a variety of techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, and solution-focused therapy, to help their clients achieve their treatment goals. To become a clinical mental health counselor, you will need to earn a master's degree in mental health counseling and pass a national certification exam. Clinical counselors are also required to undergo continuing education courses so that they can stay up-to-date on the latest research and techniques in the field.

Earnings: As of December 26, 2022, the average annual pay for clinical mental health Counselors in the United States is $69.217 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

School Counselor

School counselors are professionals who work in educational settings, helping students with academic, career, and personal/social development. They may work in elementary, middle, or high schools and may also work in colleges and universities. School counselors often work closely with teachers, parents, and school administrators to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students. They may provide individual and group counseling, help students set and achieve academic goals, and provide resources and referrals to students and families as needed. To become a school counselor, you will need to earn a master's degree in school counseling and pass a state-approved test. You can find out more about becoming a school counselor by contacting your state's department of education or an accredited university with a program in school counseling.

Earnings: According to Zippia, school counselors make an average of $49,904 per year in the United States—or about $23.99 per hour.

Substance Abuse Counselor

A substance abuse counselor is a professional who helps individuals with substance abuse and addiction issues. They may work in a variety of settings, including substance abuse treatment centers, hospitals, and private practices. Substance abuse counselors use a variety of techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, to help their clients overcome their substance abuse issues and develop healthy coping skills. They may also provide support to clients' families and help clients access resources and services in the community. To become a substance abuse counselor, you will need to earn a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, such as psychology or social work, and obtain certification or licensure from a state-approved agency. The National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors offers a certification exam for addiction counselors, which you can take after completing an approved education program.

Earnings: According to salary.com, the average Substance Abuse Counselor salary in the United States is $57,070 as of December 27th, 2022—but salaries typically fall between $50K and $63K.

Marriage and Family Therapist

A marriage and family therapist is a mental health professional who helps couples, families, and individuals to improve their relationships and communication. They may work with clients to resolve conflicts, improve parenting skills, and cope with changes in family structure, such as divorce or the addition of a new member. Marriage and family therapists use a variety of techniques, including family systems therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help their clients achieve their treatment goals. They may work in private practices, hospitals, and community agencies. To become a marriage and family therapist, you will need to earn a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field. Some states require marriage and family therapists to be licensed, while others do not.

Earnings: The median annual salary for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist is $60,973 in November of 2022. The average range typically falls between $51,751 and $77,903 per year (according to Salary.com).

Geriatric Counselor

Geriatric counselors are mental health professionals who specialize in working with older adults and their families. They may work in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals, as well as in private practice. Geriatric counselors assist older adults in dealing with age-related issues such as chronic health conditions, grief and loss, and social isolation. They may also work with families to provide support and guidance on issues related to aging and caregiving. To become a geriatric counselor, you will need to earn a master's degree in counseling or a master's in social work. You may also need to complete a prerequisite course in gerontology or aging studies. This will help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to work with older adults and their families.

Earnings: As of December 26, 2022, the average annual pay for a geriatric counselor in the United States is $77,294. That's approximately $37 an hour and works out to be about $1,486 per week or $6,441 per month—as calculated by ZipRecruiter.

A Few Final Words,

In the end, we can say that the world of counseling is a wide field; you can go in almost any direction and find a niche. Just be sure to do your research before committing yourself to a particular path; this will help ensure that you have the right skills for the job and are able to keep up with changes in technology over time, as well as being able to provide the best possible service to your clients. If you're serious about becoming a counselor, then it's important that you're prepared for the challenges of working with people who are going through difficult times.