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University of Wyoming

Mental Health Counseling

Mental health counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. Graduate education and clinical training prepare mental health counselors to provide a full range of services for individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children. The core areas of mental health programs approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) include:

  • Diagnosis and psychopathology
  • Psychotherapy
  • Psychological testing and assessment
  • Professional orientation
  • Research and program evaluation
  • Group counseling
  • Human growth and development
  • Counseling theory
  • Social and cultural foundations
  • Lifestyle and career development
  • Supervised practicum and internship

Our mental health program prepares counselors to practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs and substance abuse treatment centers. Mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide a full range of services including:

  • Assessment and diagnosis
  • Personal counseling
  • Treatment planning and utilization review
  • Brief and solution-focused counseling
  • Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment
  • Psychoeducational and prevention programs
  • Crisis management

In today's managed care environment, mental health counselors are uniquely qualified to meet the challenges of providing high quality care in a cost-effective manner. Mental health counselors provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy.

Occupational Outlook: Overall employment of counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. In addition, numerous job openings will occur as many counselors retire or leave the profession. While job prospects will vary with location and specialization, opportunities generally should be very good because the number of job openings that arise should exceed the number of graduates of counseling programs. Median annual earnings of mental health counselors in May 2004 were $32,960 with the highest 10 percent earning more than $55,810.

Sources:

American Counseling Association (ACA) http://www.counseling.org

American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) http://www.amhca.org/

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs http://www.cacrep.org/

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition. http://www.bls.gov/oco/