As public awareness of mental health continues to grow, more people are seeking to understand what clinical mental health counseling entails and how these professionals make a difference in their communities.
Clinical mental health counseling is a professional endeavor for trained and licensed counselors to provide psychotherapy support to individuals, families, and communities facing mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Clinical mental health counseling is the use of evidence-based practices to assist clients (individuals, families, groups, and communities) with ameliorating mental health symptoms and achieve life goals.
Counselors receive their Master’s in Counseling degree online or from an in-person graduate program, learning to use evidence-based techniques to help clients improve symptoms of various mental health diagnoses (such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc.), and substance use.
Clinical mental health counselors are distinguished from other providers in the field because of their specialized graduate training, licensure requirements, and emphasis on holistic, client-centered care through a lens of cultural humility and human development.
How clinical mental health counseling differs from related fields
If you find yourself wondering, “What is clinical mental health counseling?” or “How different can it be from other mental health providers?” Then you’ve found yourself in the right place!
We’ll unpack all that and more within the following sections. But in a broad sense, clinical mental health counselors use evidence-based tools for application to people from diverse backgrounds with a myriad of needs. Clinical mental health counselors can also serve as clinical advocates and help clients achieve emotional stability, develop coping skills, and improve their overall quality of life. They overlap and interweave with other types of counseling in the following ways:
General counseling vs. mental health counseling
While general counseling may address various life transitions, career decisions, or family issues, clinical mental health counseling can assist with these issues, all while treating diagnosed mental health disorders within life’s broader challenges.
Psychology vs. mental health counseling
The primary distinction lies in the philosophical approach and the depth of training. Psychologists (particularly those with PhDs or PsyDs) receive extensive training in research, psychological testing, and assessment, often spending 5-7 years in doctoral programs.
Clinical mental health counselors typically complete their Master’s in Counseling degree online or in-person (2-3 years) and emphasize a wellness and prevention model rather than a medical or pathology-focused model. While both can provide psychotherapy, psychologists more commonly conduct psychological testing and neuropsychological assessments.
Psychiatry vs. mental health counseling
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and often focus on the biological aspects of mental health conditions. Clinical mental health counselors cannot prescribe medication (though some states allow advanced certification in psychopharmacology consultation).
However, those trained with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling online program provide in-depth psychotherapy and counseling that addresses the psychological, emotional, and social dimensions of mental health.
Social work vs. mental health counseling
Social workers approach mental health through a broader lens of social justice, systemic advocacy, and connecting clients with community resources.
Clinical mental health counselors, trained from a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling online program, focus more intensively on the therapeutic relationship and individual/group psychotherapy.
Start on Your Path to Becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor
The role of Clinical Mental Health Counselors
Clinical mental health counselors serve as advocates and advisors who help clients achieve emotional stability, develop coping skills, and improve their overall quality of life.
Their work may involve conducting comprehensive client evaluations, developing individualized treatment plans, providing evidence-based psychotherapy, collaborating with other healthcare providers, and connecting clients to essential community resources.
Educational and licensing requirements
Admission to both a Master’s in Counseling Degree online and in-person program is highly competitive, in part because of the demanding Counseling MS prerequisites and professional standards required to succeed.
Whether students pursue a traditional program or a mental health counseling degree online or in person, graduate students complete rigorous coursework in counseling theories, crisis intervention, trauma-informed practices, and psychopharmacology.
This is paired with supervised field experiences such as practicums and internships. These hands-on experiences are essential for developing the clinical skills necessary to work effectively with different people facing complex mental health challenges.
After graduation, candidates from both an in-person program and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling online program must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and complete 3,000 supervised clinical hours to earn licensure. These requirements ensure that counselors are fully prepared to provide safe, ethical, and effective care to their communities.
Career success outcomes from Clinical mental health counseling
The profession of clinical mental health counseling is experiencing growing demand, driven by rising awareness of mental health needs nationwide. Whether obtained through a traditional program or a mental health counseling degree online, the skills and credentials gained prepare graduates for a wide range of opportunities.
The demand for clinical mental health counseling roles has been rising significantly, with a projected 17% increase in employment from 2024 to 2034. This growth reflects a larger public interest in mental health care and the professionals who provide it. Top earners made $98,210 in 2024, and the median annual salary for mental health counselors is $59,190.
The demand for mental health counselors
The profession of clinical mental health counseling is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by rising awareness of mental health needs nationwide. The destigmatization of mental health treatment, increased insurance coverage for counseling services, and recognition of mental health as essential to overall wellness have all contributed to this expansion.
Communities, particularly underserved ones, increasingly rely on counselors to provide accessible, culturally competent care. Counselors not only support individuals but also strengthen public health systems by reducing barriers to treatment and addressing systemic inequities in mental health access.
Their work in schools, community health centers, and substance use treatment facilities makes mental health support available to populations that might otherwise go without care.
UB’s Master’s in Mental Health Counseling online stipend
University of Bridgeport offers a Master’s in Counseling Degree online that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and supervised experience necessary to succeed in this field.
The Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling online program allows students to synchronously pursue their degree with greater flexibility while still receiving a rigorous and accredited education.
The University of Bridgeport’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has been awarded a grant from the Health and Human Services Administration (HRSA). As a result of this grant, students will receive in depth training regarding the evidence based practices of Dialectic Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing improving likelihood of graduate success obtaining work following the completion of the program.
The program has expanded its community-based internships, placing students in mental health and substance use treatment facilities that serve diverse and underserved populations, and reinforcing UB’s mission to train counselors who will make a meaningful impact where support is most needed.
Begin your counseling journey with UB’s clinical Mental Health Counseling program
Through accredited programs such as University of Bridgeport’s master’s degree, students gain the academic foundation, supervised experience, and professional preparation required to succeed.
With new flexible learning options, scholarship opportunities, and community-focused internships, there has never been a better time to answer the call to become a clinical mental health counselor.
Apply now or request more information to learn more about UB’s Mental Health Counseling program.
Fredrick Dombrowski is the AMHCA past president and has extensive experience treating those living with co-occurring disorders since 1998. He has supervised and directed multiple programs, including inpatient, outpatient, and forensic treatment. Currently an assistant department chair at University of Bridgeport, he is focused on experiential learning through a perspective of cultural humility and equitable clinical care. He has recently published the book “Co-occurring Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders” and has appeared on television, radio, and the internet advocating for the helping professions. He has won several awards for his work with marginalized populations.