What do mental health counselors do on a daily basis?

Mental health counselors are in demand. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% growth in jobs for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors for 2024-2034.¹ That percentage is more than five times the estimated overall jobs growth rate for the same time period.² This growing need for mental health professionals is backed up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has declared a mental health crisis in the US, and also reflected in numbers by the National Institute of Mental Health, which estimates that one in five US adults are living with a mental illness.^3,4

At the same time, mental health counseling is regarded as a fulfilling, purpose-driven career, ranked "High" for opportunities for advancement and "Above Average" for flexibility and work-life balance by US News and World Report.⁵

All of which explains some of the appeal of the role for those considering a mental health career. But what do mental health counselors do, and what are some of their typical daily tasks? This article outlines the responsibilities of someone working in clinical mental health counseling to help you better assess whether this is the right career path for you.

Conducting client assessments

An important role for mental health counselors is accurately identifying a client's concerns or issues, and establishing appropriate treatment goals.

Before any counseling can happen, a counselor will typically conduct an initial intake session, evaluating a client's mental health history and carefully recording their current concerns. They will then identify treatment goals and use those goals to guide their work with the client.

Providing individual and group counseling

What does a mental health counselor do after intake? Specific interventions can vary tremendously, but broadly speaking, counselors typically provide individual and group counseling. This can range from one-on-one therapy sessions to facilitating support groups and group counseling sessions.

Although the role of mental health counselor is not the same as that of a psychologist, licensed professional counselors are mental health professionals trained to use evidence-based therapeutic approaches.⁶ This can include psychotherapy methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).^7,8

Developing and implementing treatment plans

The types of therapeutic interventions chosen for a particular client depend on the treatment goals identified during the intake session. A mental health counselor needs to set clear, measurable goals with clients so there is a transparent understanding of what you are trying to achieve through treatment and how progress is measured. Equally of importance, a counselor must be ready to adjust treatment plans based on a client's progress.

Crisis intervention

What do counselors do in times of acute crisis? Although counselors are typically engaged in long-term treatment plans with their clients, they are occasionally called on to intervene in a crisis situation. Indeed, some counselors may choose to specialize in crisis intervention therapy.⁹

What is the role of a mental health counselor in a crisis? Crisis intervention goals are typically immediate: stabilize the client and neutralize the situation (if possible). Specific interventions will depend on the nature of the crisis. Counselors must first assess the risk of harm to the client, provide immediate support, and coordinate emergency care if needed, and then move on to support, referral, and follow-up procedures.

Maintaining client records

As a mental health counselor, you're an important figure in a client's overall mental health history. Maintaining accurate records is critical to guiding the progress of your work with a client, and informing any future management of their issues and concerns.

Counselors will typically spend time every day documenting sessions and updating progress notes. These notes must comply with legal and organizational requirements while also respecting a client's right to confidentiality and upholding professional ethical standards.

Collaborating with other professionals

Counselors also engage with other professionals as a routine part of client care. For example, a counselor may need to update social workers on client needs for certain services, or consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist about possible therapeutic interventions or to assess client progress.

Counselors will also often be called upon to coordinate care with institutions, such as schools, healthcare providers, and community agencies.

Since there aren't enough mental health professionals to adequately treat everyone in need, collaborative care models are seen as an important tool for closing the mental health care gap. The American Medical Association, for example, is supportive of a physician-led model that puts primary care physicians at the center of a network of mental health professionals—including counselors—who can be called on for consultation and specific interventions.¹⁰

Take the next step toward a career in mental health counseling with OCU

Mental health counselors have a variety of daily responsibilities, from performing client intake assessments and administering therapy to managing crisis interventions and documenting progress.

All of this contributes to the counselor's primary purpose: to help clients manage mental health challenges and make positive progress in their lives. If you're drawn to a job that focuses on making a meaningful impact on the lives of others, this may be the right career path for you.

The online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) at Oklahoma City University is designed to prepare you for a rewarding counseling career. The fully online program can be completed in as little as two years (with full-time enrollment) and meets the academic requirements for state licensure in many states (requirements vary by state–check with the licensing authority in the state you intend to practice in).

OCU is committed to upholding high-quality educational standards. Our online mental health counseling M.Ed. is built around small class sizes with an approach to counseling that sees the discipline as both an art and a science, requiring both applied creativity and training in evidence-based therapeutic practices.

Visit our website to review our curriculum in depth and learn more about admissions, tuition, and financial aid. Contact us directly for more information, or schedule a call with one of our admissions outreach advisors to discuss how OCU can help you progress toward a rewarding career in mental health counseling.