A Master’s in Counseling equips you with skills to make a difference in various settings and opens the door to many job opportunities. The general occupation of counseling is steadily growing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They predicted that the demand for addiction, behavioral, and mental health counselors will increase by 23% between 2020 to 2030.

This isn’t an industry in which we want to see demand, so your compassion and the skills you learned in school are needed now more than ever. All kinds of people are affected by mental illness, but U.S. citizens in nonmetropolitan areas specifically often face significant barriers to mental health services. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 21% of adults in these areas experienced mental illness, but only 48% of this affected population received treatment. Another staggering statistic is that more than 25 million rural Americans live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, where there are too few providers to meet demand.

In summary, the need for more counselors is unquestionable. Whether your interest lies in individual counseling, family dynamics, crisis management, or beyond, you can use your Master’s in Counseling to make a big impact on others while developing a rewarding career. Let’s explore some of the varied paths available to those with a Master’s in Counseling.

Clinical Counselor

These highly skilled professionals combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical problem-solving approach. The responsibilities of a clinical counselor vary based on their specialty and work environment, but a constant is working with clients to promote optimum mental health and set individual goals. This means counselors spend significant one-on-one time with clients. Sometimes treatment is administered in group sessions. Another important task is documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes. Clinical counselors also dedicate time to educating themselves on the latest research in the mental health field.

Child Counselor

One area of specialty for counselors is working with children and adolescents. These counselors treat a wide range of mental illnesses and behavioral issues from anxiety and depression to ADHD. The goal is for these young clients to become emotionally stable. They may need to learn coping skills to help with a disorder or to talk through a situational trauma. Different tactics are used with youth than with adults such as play therapy. Group therapy may also be helpful with this age group, not only with peers but with family members too. Family counseling can provide caregivers of the child tools so they can be a beneficial part of the recovery process.

Family Counselor

Though family therapy can be a part of other treatment plans, some counselors focus specifically on interpersonal relationships. This can include romantic partners, married couples with young children, single parents, adult children – anyone who considers themselves part of a family unit. These counselors evaluate families to determine how each member affects the others’ mental health. The tasks at hand often involve improving communication and conflict-resolution skills.

Crisis Counselor

These counselors provide support during and after crises, traumas, and disasters. They often start by assisting clients with their immediate requirements. Sometimes they must intervene if they feel their client is in danger of hurting themselves or others. Crisis counselors also create treatment and recovery plans that help clients understand the emotional impacts of their experiences and teach them positive coping skills. They track client progress along the way, bearing in mind that their reports may need to be used in a court setting so accurate documentation is crucial. It’s also important for these counselors to gain their clients’ trust and make them feel comfortable since they often begin therapy in a volatile state.

Substance Abuse Counselor

This role may involve crisis management, but the focus is on clients who have a chemical dependency on alcohol or drugs. These counselors guide clients through the rehabilitation and recovery process. Their treatment is often centered around identifying what is leading to the client’s addictive behavior, such as environmental factors or relationship dynamics. By gaining awareness of their emotional patterns through therapy, clients of these counselors learn strategies to avoid triggers and adopt healthier habits.

Residential Counselor

These counselors specialize in supporting individuals in residential programs such as group homes. Clients often have severe and persistent mental illness and need assistance accomplishing activities of daily life. A common goal of working with this group is to help them gain independence. This often includes involving residents in group activities and their surrounding community. Of course, the number one priority is the safety of the residents.

Case Manager

People in this managerial role act as specialized social workers who oversee and coordinate the continued care of clients. Clients often have long-term mental illnesses like those in residential programs. An individualized approach is taken for each client, which means even case managers working at the same organization may have different daily responsibilities. These will vary based on the case managers’ assessments of their clients’ care needs. A huge part of this job is advocating for clients and communicating with the rest of their care team, possibly including social service and insurance companies.

There are many more routes you can take with a Master’s in Counseling, including focusing on whole-body health, helping others find their dream careers, or working with youth in a school setting. Know that whatever you do in this field, you can make a difference in the lives of real people, your community, and the world. Also, finding a work environment where you are supported, and your well-being is prioritized is important. If you are interested in starting a new position in this field, review the current openings at West Central Behavioral Health to see if anything sounds like a good fit for your future.