Are you considering a master’s in mental health counseling? Making a decision to pursue a master’s degree in mental health counseling is difficult because of the cost and time commitment. The cost of a master’s in mental health counseling can be very high. A lot of people don't want to spend the money on it, and even if they do, they're not sure it will pay off for them.
It's not easy deciding whether or not you should earn your master’s in mental health counseling. There are so many factors involved, including the cost of tuition and the time commitment needed for classes and studying. But most importantly, will it even help me get a job?
Without enough experience, it will be hard to get hired and make any money at all. And if you're not making any money, then the degree is worthless!
A master’s degree can be worth it if you plan on working as a therapist, but not necessarily if your goal is to work in higher education or administration.
By providing points as a guide to help people with this decision, we can help them avoid costly mistakes that could take years to correct later on down the road.
What is a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Degree
A Master’s in Mental Health Counseling is a graduate degree that prepares you to work with clients of all ages and life circumstances. Graduates of this program are able to help people by identifying problems and helping them find solutions. You'll work directly with clients and, through supervision, also develop your skills as an occupational therapist.
Why pursue a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling
Pursuing a master's degree in mental health counseling is the best way to gain valuable knowledge and credentials, while addressing your specific needs. Another good reason is a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling is the first step towards becoming a licensed counselor and getting an entry-level position at a clinic or hospital.
Pros and Cons of Attending Graduate School for Mental Health Counseling
Although attending graduate school is a great way to get certified in this field, it does come with some downsides. One major downfall is the cost of tuition. In addition, there are other costs you should plan for such as textbooks and transportation fees.
Pros - The benefits of getting a mental health counseling master’s degree and how it can help with your career prospects and salary potential
- With a master’s degree in mental health counseling, you'll be able to gain valuable experience. In fact, many professionals even recommend getting an advanced degree because it will help increase your job prospects and give you more opportunities for career advancement.
- There are many different fields of counseling that have positive job outlooks.
- The two fastest-growing careers in the counseling field are substance abuse therapy and mental health counseling. Master's degrees in these fields prepare you for the challenges which accompany them on a daily basis - often experiencing extreme highs and lows, as well as having to work with high levels of stress while engaging with people at their most vulnerable state.
- Demand for counselors is expected to grow 29% by 2022, due to an increased need as more people are required to buy insurance.
- A counselor is a social science career that requires no doctorate, but pays well.
- A counseling career is a good choice for someone that likes talking and learning about people.
- Counseling is rewarding because it helps people and makes a difference in their lives.
Cons - Is it worth it, financially, mentally, emotionally, etc.?
- Healthcare careers are full of stressful situations, which the individual must work through. It is a profession with the risk of compassion fatigue, detachment from clients, and exhaustion.
- Becoming a counselor doesn't guarantee that you'll have a nine-to-five schedule, because they often work nights and weekends to fill the needs of clients.
- Mental health counseling for a master's degree is not always the right fit for those who prefer hands-on work.
- Counselors have flexible schedules, but are often on call and face client issues at inconvenient times.
- In addition to finding an office and equipment, setting up a practice is difficult because counselors have so many other things they need to do.
- A counselor has to deal with billing issues, such as processing and collecting payments from insurance companies.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Graduate School for Mental Health Counseling
The cost of graduate school varies by program. On average, it costs between $9,000 and $114,000 to get a master's degree in mental health counseling.
Career Opportunities with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
As a graduate of a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, there are many career options available within the profession.
Family and Relationship Therapist
Married couples and families will benefit from a role that combines the knowledge of psychology with family therapy techniques. These professionals are educated in how cognitive neuroscientists correlate brain function to human behavior, which includes practical solutions for common relational problems.
The profession of 'relationship therapist' can offer opportunities for someone with a master's degree in mental health counseling, including family disagreements, job loss and the effects of divorce or death on members of a family.
Substance Abuse Counselors
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors work with people who have addiction disorders or other related conditions. A few of their responsibilities may include teaching them about the impact of drug or alcohol consumption on both physical and mental health, supporting them in group therapy sessions where they can tell their stories to others with similar problems, providing support during intimate conversations between the counselor and patient such as discussing current triggers for anger or more positive aspects of sobriety. They also provide clinical counseling, support groups, and other treatments that are life-saving for some people.
For 40-60% of people with substance abuse disorders, relapse is a part of life and counselors often see clients on an ongoing basis.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mental health counselors can expect a median annual wage of $44,630. The best-compensated 10% in this profession earn more than $73,000. Mental health counselors employed by government are among the most well-compensated and their salary is approximately $51,690 per year. Relevant career prospects for mental health professionals are also plentiful with an anticipated 23% growth through 2026—more than three times the national average for occupations.
School Counselor
A school counselor is the person who will help students with any problems they might face. They may also be responsible for helping them get into college, or even find a job.
As a school counselor, you will receive an average salary of $56,310. The top 10% earn almost $95,000. This is a growing field with jobs expected to increase by 13% in the next decade.
Health Counselor
As a health educator you have many opportunities, such as community outreach or involvement with a nonprofit organization. A deep understanding of human behavior coupled with an ability to engage others and give practical advice allows them to fully understand gestures, behaviors, and feelings - which is so important for counseling.
In some cases, your role may be to act as faculty at an institution of higher education and teach mental health principles. Other times your path might involve individual consultation for various corporate wellness programs.
Health educators are versatile professionals who can work in a variety of different spheres, but their knowledge about the functioning of the brain gives them an edge when it comes to mental health.
Health professionals are dealing with high demands driven by a rapidly aging population. As of 2016, the annual median wage for mental health counselors is $54,220 but 10% also make well over $100,000 annually. The demand for jobs in this sector will continue to grow at 16%.
Community Health Worker
You will be in charge of communicating information between the public and healthcare professionals. You'll also need to help interpret complicated information so that it may be understandable for people who are not literate, put together panels on specific health topics for different communities, and collect data.
Community health workers made an average salary of $39,540. Top performers can earn up to $65,890 per year. The field is growing quickly too: Jobs are projected to increase 16 percent by 2026--compared to just 8 percent for other occupations.
Wellness Coach
A Master's Degree Program in mental health counseling teaches graduates how to help other people live healthier, more balanced lives. When they pursue this career as a wellness coach, they are often employed by corporate wellness programs or community groups.
According to PayScale, wellness coaches make an average of $18 an hour. One option for someone with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling is to open their own wellness coaching business or private practice.
Rehabilitation Counselors
A mental health counselor with a master’s degree is someone who can help patients recover from disability-related incidents and the effects of stress-induced disorders.
Rehabilitation counselors, with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, work with disabled people, those suffering from mental conditions, congenital disabilities or drug addiction. The goal of rehabilitation is to train patients and teach them life skills so that they can be independent contributors in society.
Employee Assistance Program Counselor
An employee assistance program counselor (EAP Counselor) provides 24/7 work-based assistance to employees regardless of the type of mental or emotional problems and can either be on site or remote.
An estimated 97% of employers that employ more than 5,000 people provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). This is likely because 75 to 80% of mid-sized and smaller companies also offer them. EAPs help businesses by making sure all employees have access to a clinician when they need one or would like one provided on their behalf.
Sports Counselor
Sports counseling is a subspecialty of mental health counseling wherein counselors have an emphasis on the health, functioning, and performance of athletes.
People with a master's degree in counseling often work as counselors to athletes for a variety of professional sports teams. They help struggling athletes overcome the stress and pressure they experience during competition, which can improve their performance.
Geriatric Counselor
If you have a master’s degree in mental health counseling, there are plenty of opportunities for you to find employment. Geriatric counselors focus on caring for elderly individuals who may be facing challenges with retirement or end-of-life issues. These counselors can also help their clients through difficult losses in life, including the loss of a spouse, lifelong friends, independence and deteriorating health. These counselors can also help a client process the loss of:
- A spouse, lifelong friends, independence or health
- Marriage, best friends, independence and their health Mental health counselors help clients process a number of significant life events, such as the loss of friends or independence.
Military Personnel Counselors
Military counselors work with service men or women who are struggling during deployment. For the most part, military counselors evaluate and analyze emotional issues that come up and offer treatment solutions while deployed on the borderline.
Ideal for those who are looking to make a big impact on the military and its members, a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling can provide an opportunity for those working as mental health counselors.
Social Worker
Social workers refer clients to counseling when it is needed. Clinical social workers provide more personalized and in-depth counseling services than those provided by generalist practitioners.
Mental health counselors with a master’s degree in mental health counseling can work as hospital social workers, where they provide direct care to patients and families, advocate for their rights, offer advocacy and resources.
Mental health social workers may also be found in nonprofit organizations. Roughly 45% of the population that lives in homeless shelters or settlements have a history of mental illness diagnoses. North Side Housing and Supportive Services and Franciscan Outreach, for example, employ mental health social workers who are there to provide counseling to clients so they can get long-lasting support.
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