Effective mental health counselors are excellent communicators, empathetic, trustworthy, and genuinely concerned about their patients’ well-being. These qualities hold universal value among practitioners, regardless of their area of focus. However, to succeed in the mental health field, counselors and counselors must hone an essential skill responsible for their long-term career growth, industry knowledge and resource development: networking.

There is strong demand for mental health counselors for the foreseeable future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 22% growth in counseling roles from 2021 to 2031. This projection means hospitals, mental health agencies and private practices will need at least 77,500 additional counselors over the next decade.

In 1959, the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Psychiatric Institute began using two-way closed-circuit televisions to provide group therapy and consultations in the field of psychiatry. The concept was initially expanded to connect only universities and medical facilities but has grown into a wide-scale, web-based and effective approach to mental health care and counseling.

Students interested in pursuing a career that allows them to improve the lives of others may find themselves researching mental health counseling vs. social work careers. Although the two paths share similarities, such as providing support to individuals and families, their professional scope of work is distinct. Additionally, the educational and licensing requirements for these positions can vary widely depending on the state where individuals wish to practice.

The United States needs more counselors. Amid the global pandemic, millions of people across the nation grappled with uncertainty in their careers, schooling, and lives.

Nearly every role in education has experienced major shifts over the past few years, and the job of the school counselor is no exception. From checking in on students who do not show up for virtual classes to helping graduating seniors make college decisions when they were unable to visit campuses in-person, school counselors have had to rise to the new challenges every day.

Technology has taken center stage in our personal and professional lives, and the field of counseling is no exception. As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for therapy sessions to be made available virtually, rapid developments took place at the intersection of technology and mental health. From telehealth to virtual support groups and more, technology has changed counseling in many ways. 

Ohio has higher rates of mental illness, substance abuse and drug-related deaths than almost any other state. It needs compassionate mental health providers now more than ever, and you can be a part of the solution by becoming a clinical mental health counselor.

Learn more about our flexible, online Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development (MCHD). In this session, faculty provide an overview of the counseling program including our concentrations in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling and dual concentration and share more about:.