Where do mental health counselors work beyond traditional offices?

Per recent data released by the World Health Organization, an estimated 1 billion people around the world are living with mental health disorders. The same research found that "depression and anxiety alone" cost the global economy approximately $1 trillion every year. The need for mental health care is significant, and current resources fall far short of demand; the WHO puts the global median number of mental health workers at 13 per 100,000 people.¹

Those numbers explain in part why the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the US will grow by 17% over the next decade.² This is more than five times the bureau's predicted average rate of job growth for all occupations over the same period, which sits at 3.1%.³

As the mental health care field continues to grow, it's also evolving. Advancements in technology and a focus on community care are driving the provision of services such as mental health counseling beyond traditional offices and institutional settings. Community mental health describes a broad range of initiatives intended to meet an individual's health needs in their community, helping to bridge resource and education gaps that can sometimes prevent people from getting the care they need.⁴

If you're considering a career in mental health counseling, you're likely motivated to help people navigate challenges. This blog looks at some of the varied settings in which you might practice during your mental health career. If you've been wondering, "Where do mental health counselors work?", the answer is: A few more places than you might expect.

Schools and universities

If you enjoy working with young people to help developing minds learn the coping skills that they will need in adulthood, working in a school or university can be rewarding. Mental health counselors in campus settings are generally focused on supporting students' emotional and academic well-being while collaborating with teachers, parents, and staff to build supportive, effective mental health networks.

Some institutions even embed counselors within particular departments, recognizing that an engineering student's experiences may differ significantly from someone studying literature.⁵

Hospitals and healthcare facilities

In hospitals, clinical mental health care counselors can be called on to provide crisis intervention. They may also work with patients' families, equipping them with the skills and resources they'll need to help their loved ones.

As the medical industry increasingly recognizes the importance of holistic care—treating the whole patient, not just a specific condition or infirmity—mental health counselors can be found working alongside other medical professionals in certain facilities or care settings as part of a rounded, comprehensive treatment program.⁶ For example, mental health counselors might play a role in palliative care by offering support to patients and their loved ones, or help amputees adjust psychologically to life after limb loss.^7,8

Community and nonprofit organizations

Where do clinical mental health counselors work in community organizations? Often, they're at the heart of dedicated organizations that provide outreach, advocacy, and prevention programs to underserved populations. For example, Community Counseling and Mediation in Brooklyn, New York, runs mental health clinics and support services for underserved and at-risk populations in New York City's most populous borough.⁹

Corporate and workplace settings

What about the corporate world? Where do counselors work in conventional business settings? You will find mental health counselors addressing workplace stress, burnout, and mental health awareness as part of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), wellness initiatives, and specialized corporate mental training workshops.^10,11

Correctional facilities and rehabilitation centers

In 2011, inadequate medical and mental health care was cited as a key reason for a Supreme Court decision mandating California to reduce its prison population by more than 40,000 inmates.¹²

Incarcerated individuals have a right to health care, and often have more acute needs in certain areas. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates the prevalence of mental illness within American prisons is about twice that of the overall adult population in the US.¹³

Mental health counseling supports rehabilitation and re-entry efforts for incarcerated individuals and addresses issues of trauma, addiction, and behavioral health within correctional facilities.

Telehealth and online counseling

Where can mental health counselors work in the digital world? A growing number of platforms support and enable online counseling and telehealth solutions. "Teletherapy" options range from video, phone, and text-based platforms to self-guided apps.¹⁴

While digital therapy options can be a great way to engage patients who are unable or reluctant to meet in person, counselors must weigh the benefits of accessibility against potential negative factors, such as patient isolation or concerns about cybersecurity and privacy.¹⁴

Military and veterans services

Military service is uniquely challenging, requiring individuals to face dangers and weigh consequences few professionals are ever asked to contemplate. Further, the transition from military to civilian life is not always easy. The population of veterans in the USA is at high risk for mental issues such as PTSD or depression.¹⁵

Mental health counselors are part of the substantial resources that organizations like the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense put toward assisting veterans and active-duty military with their mental health needs.¹⁶

Skills and adaptability in diverse settings

Becoming a mental health counselor requires deep reserves of empathy as well as flexibility and cultural competence. Mental health professionals need to know how to tailor their approach to fit various populations and environments.

The online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from Oklahoma City University's Petree College of Arts & Sciences regards the practice of counseling as a blend of art and science—combining a focus on the practitioner's growth and development with training in evidence-based practice and a deep grounding in professional ethics. This methodology produces adept, effective graduates who are prepared to move to the next step towards their licensure with a foundation of training on adaptability and evidence-based therapy techniques.

Advance your career in mental health counseling with Oklahoma City University

The diversity of workplaces outlined in this post highlights the expanding horizons of mental health counseling. Through effective community care, counselors can expand their impact and reach, delivering positive and constructive outcomes to patients in need. A M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling helps provide future counselors with the skills and techniques they need to set the stage for a meaningful and vital career path.

To learn more about OCU's online M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, review the resources on our website, from admission requirements to curriculum details. For an in-depth discussion about how OCU can help you take the next step toward an impactful and fulfilling career in counseling, schedule a call with one of our admissions outreach advisors.