Top 3 Counseling Professions for Graduates to Consider
November 17, 2022
Blog Updated on October 29, 2025.
The United States continues to face a growing need for trained counselors. Across the country, people are navigating mounting stressors—from economic uncertainty and academic pressures to social isolation and the rapid pace of modern life. Many individuals, especially young adults, report increased levels of anxiety, loneliness and burnout as they balance personal and professional demands.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), psychologists and counselors report longer waitlists and heavier caseloads as mental health concerns rise nationwide. This trend underscores a critical need for more skilled professionals who can provide guidance, support and evidence-based treatment. Counseling remains one of the most impactful and in-demand professions, helping individuals and communities build resilience and improve overall well-being.
In the United States, three primary counseling professions can help close the widening gap for counseling services, including career counseling, school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. Learn more about the top three counseling specializations for passionate and driven professionals who desire to help youth and adults navigate their careers and address mental health concerns.
What Is Professional Counseling?
Professional counseling is a collaborative career where counselors and clients meet in person or remotely to improve client outcomes. First, the counselor and client establish goals related to emotional, behavioral and/or career pursuits. Then, the counselor meets with the client to work through problems and establish treatment plans, hoping to arrive at possible solutions for client concerns.
For example, suppose a client struggles with negative self-talk. In that case, a counselor may help identify repetitive negative thought patterns, help clients determine when these loops begin and suggest positive reframing to recondition thought patterns for a healthier dialogue. In another example, if a client struggles with problematic alcohol consumption, a counselor may help the client manage stress more healthily and refer them to 12-step support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. There are many ways counselors work to improve their clients’ quality of life by imparting new skills and helping them find resources.
How Do You Become a Counselor in the United States?
There are several steps an individual must take to become a counselor in the United States.
First, professionals in all counseling specializations must earn a master’s degree in counseling, preferably from a CACREP-accredited school. However, some states offer a path toward licensure for students who graduated from a non-CACREP-accredited program.
Throughout the master’s program, students must complete the necessary supervised field experience (practicum and internships). This hands-on experience allows counselors-in-training to work under licensed counselors' supervision and in real-world settings.
Next, counselors must pass a licensure exam and earn the required counseling credential (or credentials) to practice in their state. Credentials vary depending on the state and the type of counseling work.
Finally, counselors can choose to become certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to demonstrate to colleagues and clients that they have voluntarily met high national standards for counseling. Those interested in becoming licensed professional counselors (LPCs) should contact their state licensing board for confirmation of their state requirements, including the number of supervised practice hours. Some counselors continue to further their education through doctoral work in order to enhance their knowledge and skills to expand career opportunities.
What Skills Can You Learn in a Master’s Degree in Counseling?
A master’s degree in counseling imparts the skills needed to pursue counseling specialization in career counseling, school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.
Counselors generally possess soft skills that allow them to lead interpersonal communications and steer conversations, including displaying active listening, empathy, self-awareness, patience, integrity and emotional stability. In addition to soft skills, counselors must demonstrate an understanding of the following areas:
- Foundations for practice
- Lifespan development
- Social and cultural diversity awareness
- Developmentally-informed trauma, crisis and grief intervention
- Children and adolescent development
- Familiarity with new technologies and virtual platforms
What Are the Types of Counseling Specializations, and How Do They Differ?
When deciding to pursue a career in counseling, bachelor’s degree holders have several options to specialize. Students can pursue a master’s degree in counseling to focus on clinical mental health counseling, school counseling or career counseling.
Each counseling specialization allows professionals to experience different clients, job responsibilities and work environments. Discover the typical outlook for these distinct counseling professions to help match your unique skill set to the right career path.
School Counseling
School counselors work in elementary, middle and high schools to help motivate and direct students in their personal, educational and career pursuits. School counselors are essential because they act as an accessible resource to help children and young adults navigate today’s challenges.
In addition, school counseling is changing; students face new challenges, and societal shifts require counselors to adapt to meet evolving needs. Therefore, schools need passionate counseling professionals who want to improve the lives of the next generation.
School Counseling Duties
The following tasks represent the primary responsibilities of a school counselor:
- Helping students develop essential life skills
- Monitoring students’ behaviors, such as attendance and grades, to identify vulnerable students who may benefit from counseling
- Communicating and collaborating with teachers, school staff and parents about student outcomes
- Reporting possible abuse or neglect to protect students
School Counseling Salary
School and career counselors earned a median annual salary of $65,140 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, the salary range depends on the institution where the school counselor is employed. For example, school counselors working in local elementary and secondary schools earned a median salary of $76,960 in 2024.
School Counseling Job Outlook
Positions for career and school counselors are predicted to increase 4% between 2024 and 2034, according to the BLS. The favorable job market indicates that graduates are likely to find a promising employment environment after completing their education and qualifications.
How to Become a School Counselor
To become a school counselor, start by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, education or a related field to build a foundation in child development and communication. Next, complete a master’s degree in school counseling or counseling, which includes supervised experience in schools.
After earning a degree, graduates must obtain state certification or licensure, which typically involves passing an exam and completing additional supervised hours. Once certified, school counselors can work in elementary, middle or high schools, guiding students academically, socially and emotionally. Continuous professional development helps counselors stay current and effective in supporting student success.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical mental health counselors help clients by diagnosing, treating and managing mental health conditions, from eating disorders and substance abuse to mental illnesses and behavioral disorders.
Counselors in this area must be emotionally stable, communicative and self-aware to put their clients’ needs first. They are essential to enhancing millions of Americans’ mental health and changing people’s lives in meaningful ways.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Duties
Clinical mental health counselors are typically responsible for the following:
- Assessing the mental and physical state of their clients
- Creating, recommending and monitoring treatment plans for clients
- Referring clients to helpful programs and resources
- Educating families and the public through outreach programs about signs of addiction, behavioral disorders and other mental health issues
- Helping clients build the necessary skills to manage or overcome mental illness, addiction and behavioral disorders
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2024, substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors earned a median salary of $59,190 per year, with the top 10% making more than $98,210 per year, based on their placement and experience. Counselors working for hospitals earned the highest median salary.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Job Outlook
The job outlook for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is much stronger than the job market as a whole, with positions expected to increase 17% between 2024 and 2034. As a result, there will be approximately 48,300 job openings in this area every year for the next decade, giving graduates an entryway to a diverse range of career settings and locations.
How to Become a Mental Health Counselor
Becoming a mental health counselor typically begins with earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work or a related field, which provides a foundation in human behavior, emotional health and interpersonal communication. Then, candidates pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling or psychology. Graduate programs include clinical experience that prepares students for hands-on client work.
Once the degree is complete, future counselors must meet state licensure requirements. These usually include passing a national counseling exam and completing a specific number of supervised post-graduate clinical hours. After licensure, mental health counselors may work in hospitals, private practices, schools or community agencies. Ongoing professional development ensures they stay current with best practices, helping clients navigate mental health challenges, trauma and personal growth.
Career Counseling
Career counselors guide their clients by helping them match their passions, skills and interests to suitable career options. Career counselors have an in-depth knowledge of the job market and fast-growing job opportunities for their clients.
This counseling specialization is rooted in advocacy and requires patience, creativity and professional guidance related to careers. In addition, colleges and universities often employ career counselors to assist students in their journey after graduation. Professionals who work in student development or student affairs do not always require licensure to advise students on their careers; however, professional counselors must obtain the necessary master’s degree and license to practice.
Career Counseling Duties
The following duties represent the core responsibilities of a career counselor:
- Communicating with clients/students about their personal and educational objectives
- Offering clients/students career and personality inventories to help guide decisions
- Exploring potential career possibilities and job opportunities
- Informing clients about the job market, networking and career postings
Career Counseling Salary
Salaries for career counselors vary based on the industry, location and experience. However, according to the BLS, the median annual salary for school and career counselors and advisors was $65,140 in 2024.
Career Counseling Job Outlook
Between 2024 and 2034, the BLS predicts 4% job growth for school and career counselors and advisors, which is faster than the average for all occupations. That means approximately 13,300 openings for career counselors each year.
Pursue a Counseling Profession and Create Meaningful Change with Walsh University
Are you an empathetic, compassionate and emotionally intelligent individual with a desire to improve the lives of others? Walsh University Online offers students two counseling specializations in the Master of Arts in Counseling program, including Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.
Walsh University Online offers the counseling program 100% online with no on-campus visits required, allowing students to complete the degree entirely in the location of their choosing. Compassionate and experienced faculty teach the program, which offers five intake options per year, field experience support and in-depth coursework that instills foundational and specialized counseling education for the counseling profession.
Fulfill your mission to engage in meaningful work and start your journey to expand your counseling competence today.
Learn more about Walsh University’s online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the online Master’s in School Counseling program.
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