What is a Mental Health Counselor?
Ohio, known as the Buckeye State, is the epitome of a Midwestern state. The economy there is a blend of agricultural bounty and automotive strength. While manufacturing in Ohio took a hit in the 1980s, earning the state a place in the Rust Belt, it’s still strong and has attracted foreign automakers who need stateside facilities to ease taxation issues.
It's no surprise that Ohio's top industrial sector is manufacturing, which generates nearly $112 billion in annual revenues for the state. This launches Ohio to the #3 spot nationally for manufacturing activities. Its next highest ranking industrial sector is professional and business services, which includes businesses such as waste management, business consultancies, and commercial laboratories. Coming in third is Ohio's real estate industry, which is ranked 12th nationally for its $74 billion in annual revenues.
A mental health counselor is a healthcare professional who specializes in the psychological difficulties facing their patients. To help people address and heal their various problems, mental health counselors may employ psychoanalysis, also known as talk therapy, or other techniques. These sessions are more than mere conversations and require that practitioners hold at least a master’s degree and current state licensure.
Counselors help workers overcome the psychological difficulties that may hinder them from accomplishing everything they can. This part of the human experience is so important that many firms include Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for their workers to use when they feel overly stressed or when various mental health difficulties arise. These can include depression, addiction, and chronic anxiety, which can rob a worker of their professional effectiveness.
Many think of mental health counselors as working in dimly lit, calm office environments. This may be the case in some instances, but they can also work in tele-health and other formats. Many convert part of their home into an office so they can work from home. It's also common for mental health therapists to rent small offices. However, these days many therapists choose to work remotely using software such as Zoom or Skype. This frees therapists up to work from anywhere they choose, and to enjoy more flexibility. Many have hybrid practices where they work with certain clients in the office and others via video chat, or even phone sessions.
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Mental Health Counseling Education in Ohio
The fourth position on Ohio's economy is its education, healthcare, and social assistance sector. This part of the economy is responsible for generating over $65 billion in annual revenues. A large part of this sector is engaged in mental health counseling, as counselors are found in schools, hospitals, and social assistance agencies. In fact, mental health counseling is a large part of what keeps Ohio humming at such a brisk pace.
To keep Ohio full of qualified, licensed mental health counseling professionals, the state supports its public colleges and universities. The psychology and counseling degree programs use state funds to find and retain the best academic professionals available. Faculties seek out the best professors from academia but also from the local economy. Qualified Ohio counselors can bring students the special insights and advice they need to thrive in the Buckeye State.
Prospective students interested in completing a counselor education can find programs all over the state in colleges and universities. You will need to ensure that the degree you choose is offered by a CACREP-accredited program. Options may include Cleveland State University, Ohio State University, Ashland University, Heidelberg University, Walsh University, Malone University, Kent State University, Central State University, etc.
Online Associates (AS)
A two-year counseling degree is how many mental healthcare workers start their careers. While this degree will not qualify for a full mental health counseling license in Ohio or any other state, it can help get the ball rolling. In fact, many states will license professionals at this education level for work as addiction counseling professionals. While they will not be qualified to work one-on-one with clients in therapeutic sessions, they can work with groups in a therapeutic setting, as in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. While there are few community colleges that offer this degree, many have addiction counseling degree programs, and many students can use an allied healthcare degree to qualify. However, it’s important to note that Ohio requires at least a bachelor’s degree for those who wish to work as addiction counselors.
Once in an entry-level mental health position, counseling students can learn so much about the field. It can help them determine if the field is actually for them. Counseling is often romanticized, but the realities of the work can be quite grim. Those that start with an associate degree can thus make an informed decision as to the later trajectory of their career.
Online Bachelors (BS)
A four-year bachelor’s mental health counseling degree is a solid foundation many use to start their careers. You'll complete courses in human development, addictions, etc. While they still need a master’s mental health counseling degree to practice individual counseling, an undergraduate degree is a ticket to an entry-level position in the field. Many use this degree to start work in addition counseling. They can find work in alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities where they can see the reality of the field.
Naturally, a bachelor’s mental health counseling degree is a requirement for a master’s mental health counseling degree. Students who are interested in working as therapists should start looking for the best master's mental health counseling degree program available during their third year of undergraduate work. It's not terrible to wait for the fourth year, but those who start their research early will often find the best options.
Online Masters (MS)
A master's clinical mental health counseling degree is where therapists truly start their careers. This is the minimum requirement for a license to practice counseling or psychoanalysis in Ohio and every other state. Candidates need to make sure that their program is acknowledged by the Ohio licensing board. You can also choose a specialization in graduate programs such as a family counseling, clinical mental health counseling, chemical dependency counseling, or school counseling program, and related educational programs.
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This degree is unlike many other master's degree programs in that it leans heavily on practical experience. Students complete internships and even undergo therapy themselves. This way, they know what their patients are experiencing as they go through the therapeutic process. These experiences are also part of the licensing process, which requires that candidates meet certain quotas for supervised counseling time.
While many first consider a master's degree in clinical psychology, other options exists. Students in master's of social work degree programs can also enter similar professions. They can accrue much of the same experience while in graduate school and then must satisfy similar licensing criteria as those with counseling degrees. The key difference is that a LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) can also find work in social service agencies.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
A PhD is highly valued in the counseling profession. Counselors who earn their doctorate degree may use the title Psychologist and may charge more per hour. This credential may also help these counseling professionals attract more clients who place special value on this degree. The degree stands as proof that the therapist has gone the extra mile for their profession. They have also delved even deeper into the science of psychology and the art of counseling, so are probably more capable as therapists.
On top of this, a PhD in counseling psychology qualifies the holder to earn a full-time, tenure track position with an Ohio college or university. They can also work as research faculty members who may hardly teach, if at all. However, a clinical psychologist will need to add more research courses to their resume to land this position. Research faculty earn their keep by attracting grant funds from parties who are interested in their work.
Become a Mental Health Counselor in Ohio
Ohioans who are fascinated by the human experience and who have a desire to help others overcome their difficulties may be driven to become mental health counselors in Ohio. The road to this profession is long, and not easy, but those who are driven by a deep passion for psychology and counseling are sure to succeed. Naturally, the goal of any aspiring mental health counselor in Ohio is to earn state licensure so that they can practice psychoanalysis with individual clients.
The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree. There are a few options here, but most will choose psychology or social work. These degrees will cover fundamental principles of psychology, helping professions, and even research methods. There are more options when a student reaches graduate school. Some will choose a clinical psychology track, while others might specialize in marriage and family therapy. Another option is a master's social work degree (MSW). Regardless of the degree or area of specialization, students should ensure that their program is fully accredited and acknowledged by Ohio's Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, which confers licenses on qualified applicants. And all graduate degrees should be from a CACREP accredited institution.
During graduate school, students often complete internships where they work with real people to overcome their problems. This portion of the training can be revealing, and those who find it too intense may choose to alter course and study research psychology instead. However, those for whom counseling is invigorating and enriching are urged to continue.
Even after successfully navigating rigorous courses and hands-on learning experiences, students are not done yet. Ohio, like other states, requires that aspiring counselors complete a period of supervised work. Each state has its own requirements for this period and, in Ohio, licensure candidates need to complete no less than 600 hours in an internship with 240 hours spent in the diagnosis and treatment of clients.
Students also need to pass the NCE examination. This is a core part of the process and it's likely that most CACREP accredited graduate counseling degree programs will advise students regarding test procedures.
Careers for Mental Health Counseling Graduates
- Psychiatric Aides
These mental healthcare workers primarily work in mental hospitals or other psychiatric settings. They help nurses and psychiatrists administer medications and other therapies to patients. Psychiatric aides are also needed to help de-escalate matters if a patient becomes agitated. This position does not often require state licensure. - Mental Health Counselor
These mental health professionals are licensed by their state to conduct psychoanalysis with individual clients. They have completed a master's mental health counseling degree from an accredited institution and satisfied other requirements from their Board. - Clinical Supervisor
This is a special designation for counseling professionals that is required to oversee aspiring mental health counselors. Clinical supervisors have satisfied their state board's requirements and thus can sign off on a licensure candidate's work. - Social Worker (LCSW)
These social workers have completed a master's social work degree program and have satisfied their state board's licensure requirements. LCSWs are credentialed to practice psychoanalysis with individual clients and can work with groups. The benefit of an LCSW designation is the ability to not only work as a counselor but to work with state or other social services agencies. - Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
This is an entry-level nursing position that involves helping patients with basic duties such as bathing and taking medication. CNAs work alongside licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and doctors. CNAs are a core part of any treatment team and are valued by their fellow nurses. - Psychiatrist
These mental healthcare professionals are considered the top of the profession. To become a psychiatrist, students need to complete their core medical training before working through a psychiatric residency. While psychiatrists are licensed to conduct counseling sessions, these days, most of their practice involves monitoring their patient’s medications. - Psychologist
Apart from psychiatrists, these mental healthcare workers are the most highly trained in their field. Psychologists hold a PhD in clinical psychology and are licensed by the state to practice counseling with individual clients. Psychologists often leverage their credentials to publish books and papers that advance our understanding of the human psyche. - Registered Nurse
These nursing professionals are at the top of the nursing world. RNs may work as general practitioners, or they may earn credentials in specialized areas. Some may become psychiatric nurses while others work in surgery or pediatrics. Registered nurses typically start their careers with rather high salaries. - Substance Abuse Counselor
This career focuses on the treatment and diagnosis of substance abuse disorder patients. These positions often require state licensure and there are at least two levels. The lower level(s) requires either an associate or bachelor’s addiction counselor degree and the top level requires at least a master's degree. - School Counselor
These counseling professionals have much the same training as a mental health counselor, but their work is focused on students. School counselors must also pass the subject-specific PRAXIS exam for counselors. Typically, school counselors focus on one age group for their career: elementary students, middle grades, or high school.
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- Mental Health Technician
- Director of Outpatient Services
- Case Manager
- Licensed Addiction Counselor
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Residential Program Director
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Career Counselor
- Chief Operating Officer (Healthcare)
- CEO
- Chief Executives
- Mental Health Program Manager
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