Mental Health Careers: What Can You Do in the Field?

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that mental health care is a critical facet of overall wellness. As the stigma around seeking mental health care has decreased, more people have felt empowered to work with mental health professionals to take control of their mental and emotional well-being. Mental health counselors are caring, skilled professionals who offer beneficial help and support.

This post explores the career paths available in mental health counseling and the roles you can pursue with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC).

Key roles in mental health

There are many careers in counseling and mental health. Some require extensive medical training to diagnose and treat physiological, neurological, and emotional aspects of mental health conditions. Others focus on non-medical diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to mental health and emotional wellness.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors with a specialty in mental health.¹ They treat both the physical and emotional components of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications without outside oversight.

Psychologists

Psychologists are not medical doctors.² They typically obtain a master's or doctoral degree and undergo extensive training in research or clinical practice. Psychologists treat mental health conditions with talk therapy.

Counselors

Clinical mental health counselors are licensed professionals who can treat mental and emotional disorders. Counseling involves helping clients process emotions, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and find long-term solutions to overcome mental health challenges. Counselors cannot prescribe medications.

Social workers

Social workers provide support to people in their everyday lives.³ Social workers can offer clinical or practical assistance with personal, relationship, and family problems.

Psychiatric mental health nurses

Psychiatric mental health (PMH) nurses are registered nurses or nurse practitioners qualified to perform assessment, diagnosis, care, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. They may be able to prescribe medication, depending on state regulations.

Educational pathways

If you are pursuing a medical mental health career, such as psychiatry or psychiatric nursing, you will need to first earn a bachelor's degree in a medicine-focused field, such as biology or premed. After that, you will need to attend either medical or nursing school, as well as gain extensive clinical experience and pass board certifications.

The path to a non-medical career in mental health, such as a psychologist or a counselor, is slightly different. Psychologists and counselors first earn a bachelor's degree in psychology or another field related to behavioral health. To become a psychologist, you can pursue a master's degree and a PhD or PsyD in psychology. You are required to perform supervised clinical work or research, depending on your preferred specialty.

Counseling master's programs are typically a Master of Education with a counseling focus. You will be required to complete a combination of coursework and clinical hours as part of your training. Master's programs in counseling may be in-person, online, or hybrid.

Licensure and certification

All mental health professionals must pass state licensing exams as well as professional certifications. You will need to fulfill the licensing requirement for the state you intend to practice in, even if it's not the state where you complete your coursework. Most states require passing one of the two exams offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) or the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

Some states require continuing education to remain licensed. Counselors can take classes through local colleges and universities, online programs, or programs from professional organizations such as the following:

• The American Counseling Association (ACA)
• NBCC
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
• American School Counselors Association (ASCA)
• National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

Specialized areas and populations

Most mental health care providers focus on helping a specific population of people:

• Child and adolescent mental health: This involves managing mental health issues for children and teens 
• Substance abuse: Substance abuse treatment may involve working with people undergoing withdrawal or maintaining sobriety, or creating care programs designed to promote substance use prevention 
• Trauma recovery: Negative external conditions or events can lead to ongoing mental health challenges. Counselors who specialize in trauma recovery help people manage their emotional responses to past incidents, relationships, or situations
• Geriatric care: Older adults often require specific mental health counseling, such as grief counseling

Essential skills and professional development

Mental health professionals need to excel at interpersonal and emotional skills. Communication and the art of active listening are at the heart of providing mental health care. Counselors need to hear and assimilate what their clients are telling them and effectively and compassionately convey strategies and emotional guidance to their clients.¹

Mental health counselors must exercise empathy to create a safe environment for their clients. Using a combination of empathy and emotional intelligence, counselors can listen and respond in ways that constructively help clients navigate their mental health challenges.

Workplace settings

There is a wide variety of jobs that you can pursue with a master's in clinical mental health counseling. Mental health professionals can pursue roles in multiple environments, depending on their area of specialty.⁴

Hospitals

Mental health counselors in hospitals are often part of a multidisciplinary team to provide care for patients. You may provide mental health evaluations, treatment of long-term mental illnesses, or grief counseling.

Private practice

Private practice is a setting where mental health professionals work one-on-one with clients. You may offer general services or specialize in a specific area, such as trauma counseling or marriage and family counseling.

Community clinics 

Community clinics are often nonprofit organizations that provide services, including mental health care, to underserved communities. This might include counseling for domestic abuse, trauma, issues related to homelessness, addiction, or systemic inequality.

Schools and universities

Counselors working in schools help students navigate mental health challenges that may affect their academic performance or social development. School counselors often help students with issues such as stress, bullying, social anxiety, and academic pressure.⁵

Get started on a mental health counseling career

If you are interested in beginning a career as a mental health professional, consider the online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from Oklahoma City University (OCU). This program offers a comprehensive counseling curriculum that will prepare you for a rewarding counseling career.

Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today to learn more about this program and explore your next steps on a meaningful journey as a mental health professional.