Counselor Career Guide

Mental health professionals are tasked with the important responsibility of caring for the psychological and emotional wellbeing of their patients. Just a few of the common mental health matters that individuals in this profession commonly address include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addiction, eating disorders, bullying, stress, and phobias. Issues like these can be extremely taxing on the individuals who face them, so mental health professionals must be dedicated and educated in order to help their patients cope as best as possible.

Within the field of mental health, there are several distinct types of professionals. Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and professional counselors are just a few of the career tracks available within this field. While the career path for each of these professions varies, they do have many similarities. The first step is to obtain a bachelor?s degree in a relevant subject area, and then a master?s degree program should be completed in that particular specialty. Additionally, there are a variety of special certifications that can be pursued to enhance expertise and increase salary potential.

To learn more about becoming a mental health professional, check out the career profiles below. We interviewed individuals in this field about their educational background, how they got involved in the mental health industry, and what advice they have to offer others.