Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources
Occupation Finder

Mental Health Counselors

Median Salary
N/A
Job Outlook
N/A

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

39%

Private not for profit

28%

Self-employed

21%

State and local government

11%

Federal Government

1%

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

Explore this Role in the MilitaryLearn More About Military Service

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Master's degree

    64%

  • Bachelor's degree

    24%

  • High school

    5%

  • Doctoral degree

    3%

  • Associate's degree

    2%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Counseling Psychology
  • Clinical/Medical Social Work
  • Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
  • Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
  • Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
  • Trauma Counseling

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Psychology
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • English Language

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Responsibility

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Physical Activity

    Low

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

Related Occupations

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.

Human Services

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

Show More

Median Salary

55,960

Job Outlook

+7%
Human Services

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

Show More

Median Salary

62,940

Job Outlook

+7%
Human Services

Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

Show More

Median Salary

58,510

Job Outlook

+16%
Human Services

Rehabilitation Counselors

Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.

Show More

Median Salary

44,040

Job Outlook

+13%
Human Services

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

Show More

Median Salary

96,100

Job Outlook

+7%
1/5

Related Military Occupations

Military Mental Health Caseworkers

Mental health caseworkers assess, diagnose, and treat psychological conditions. They implement initial mental health assessment procedures including standardized psychological testing, clinical interviewing, and substance abuse evaluations. They monitor, record, and report on patient progress. Mental health caseworkers conduct and/or provide individual and group counseling. They supervise and support caring for individuals with acute and post-traumatic stress reactions.

Show More

Median Salary

88,044

Workforce Count

1,222
1/1