How to Become a Senior Mental Health Counselor?
Are you thinking of becoming a Senior Mental Health Counselor or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Senior Mental Health Counselor, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Senior Mental Health Counselor job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
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Steps to Become a Mental Health Counselor
If you're considering starting your Mental Health Counselor career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Mental Health Counselor and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Mental Health Counselor career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Mental Health Counselor career path, a Bachelor's Degree in behavioral sciences or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Mental Health Counselor internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What skills do you need to be a Mental Health Counselor?
- Diagnosis
- Written Communication
- Computer Literate
- CPR
- Motivational Interviewing
- Conducting
- English
- Protocols
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Mental Health Counselor, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Mental Health Counselor field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Mental Health Counselor specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Mental Health Counselor
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in behavioral sciences or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Mental Health Counselor. In general, you can become a Mental Health Counselor after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Mental Health Counselor role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified addiction professional, certified associate counselor cac.4
Advance in Your Mental Health Counselor Career
Following entry-level, there are several Mental Health Counselor career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Mental Health Counselor to progress to the supervisor mental health counselor position. Each advanced Mental Health Counselor position requires approximately 8 years of experience at each level to advance in your Mental Health Counselor career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Mental Health Counselor career path.5
Continued Education for Your Mental Health Counselor Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Mental Health Counselor career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in behavioral sciences can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $67,115 compared to $32,131 for those without that type of degree.Senior Mental Health Counselor Career Path
Senior Mental Health Counselor
2 - 4Years of Experience
$55K - $88K /yrMost Likely Range
Mental Health Counselor IV
5 - 7Years of Experience
$55K - $82K /yrMost Likely Range
Associate Director of Mental Health
No Years of Experience Reports
$61K - $101K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Senior Mental Health Counselor Career Path
Mental Health Counselor I
Mental Health Counselor II
Senior Mental Health Counselor
Mental Health Counselor Manager
Mental Health Counselor IV
Senior Manager of Mental Health
Associate Director of Mental Health
Director of Mental Health
$40K
$64K
$88K
$112K
$160K
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Related Careers in the Healthcare Industry
Interested in other Healthcare careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Senior Mental Health Counselor skills. Discover some of the most common Senior Mental Health Counselor career transitions, along with skills overlap.