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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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What is a Mental Health Counselor?

Studying mental health counseling opens doors to many meaningful and impactful career opportunities in Oklahoma. The major is especially suitable for individuals who are interested in learning about various emotional and behavioral disorders and passionate about helping others manage them.

Mental health counselors play a pivotal role in helping individuals manage and improve their emotional and psychological well-being. They provide a range of therapeutic services to clients, assisting them in addressing various mental health issues. In addition to providing individual and group counseling sessions, these professionals spend a significant amount of time listening to patient concerns, assessing their conditions, and developing treatment plans tailored to their specific needs.

While they are generally capable of addressing numerous emotional and behavioral conditions, they frequently treat:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Mood Disorders
  • Personality Disorders
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Eating Disorders
  • Behavioral Addictions
  • Psychoses

Additionally, many mental health counselors work with clients to identify and adopt various coping strategies and set achievable goals. They also play a vital role in crisis intervention, providing immediate support to individuals in distress. Their empathetic and compassionate approach can be instrumental in helping others navigate difficult emotional situations and develop healthier response mechanisms. Another essential task is maintaining detailed records, which ensures confidentiality and compliance with all ethical and legal standards.

It's worth noting that mental health counselors can specialize in various areas such as substance abuse, marriage and family therapy, or grief counseling. In these cases, they tend to offer specialized support to those facing particular challenges. When necessary, they may also collaborate with other healthcare providers, including psychiatrists and social workers, to create comprehensive treatment plans for individuals who require multidisciplinary care.

Overall, mental health counselors contribute significantly to the mental and emotional well-being of their clients, helping them lead more fulfilling lives. Using psychotherapy and various psychological treatments, they can help patients process through a wide variety of complicated emotions and behavioral patterns.

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Online Mental Health Counseling Education in Oklahoma

The educational services, healthcare, and social assistance industry is the fifth largest in Oklahoma. It accounts for $15.4 billion in revenue each year. Additionally, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is expected to increase by 18% from 2022 to 2032. This is much faster than the average for all occupations and will result in an additional 42,000 job openings throughout the nation each year. As of May 2022, Oklahoma employed 4,710 of these professionals with an annual mean wage of $57,180. Notably, this is higher than the state’s reported annual mean wage of $50,940 for all occupations.

Graduates may also qualify for work in many community and social service professions. Employment for specialists in these jobs is also projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations in the United States from 2022 to 2032. As of May 2022, Oklahoma employed 25,210 workers in this field, with an annual mean wage of $50,280.

Numerous colleges and universities in Oklahoma provide mental health counseling and related degrees. While online programs offered by out-of-state institutions are also available, educational standards differ by location. This is particularly relevant for those pursuing state licensure. As a result, aspiring mental health counselors in Oklahoma should prioritize in-state higher education options. This ensures the most geographically relevant instruction, and the degree will definitely align well with employer expectations in the region. Students interested in completing professional counseling degrees will find plenty of college and university options in the state. These may include Southeastern oklahoma state university, East Central University, Northeastern State University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and other institutions that meet academic requirements.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) State Board of Behavioral Health governs the educational prerequisites for mental health counselors in Oklahoma. Although counseling degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels may be offered, only individuals who complete master's and/or doctorate programs will qualify to seek state licensure. It’s important to realize, however, that undergraduate programs of this type can open doors to many other community and social service roles within the state.

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Online Associates (AS)

Associate degrees designed to prepare students for jobs in mental health counseling are relatively rare as most states require candidates for licensure to meet higher education standards. This means that, individuals interested in pursuing careers as licensed counselors will need to select related areas of study. This will help them to acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to enroll in more advanced programs later. The most relevant majors for this field include counseling, mental health, human services, behavioral science, social science, and psychology.

Degrees of this kind generally consist of 60 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately two years to complete. Undergraduate programs typically include both general liberal arts and specialized programmatic courses. Curriculum structures differ, but students can expect to engage with a range of standard subjects such as English communication, mathematics, and social sciences, alongside various major-related classes. This ensures that those enrolled acquire a comprehensive introduction to higher education so that they are prepared for entry-level employment and/or further learning.

Notably, this type of degree does not meet the minimum education requirements to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma. It can, however, lead to a variety of entry-level jobs in community and social service. Graduates are also well-prepared to enroll in related bachelor’s degree programs.

Online Bachelors (BS)

Bachelor's degrees specializing in mental health counseling are also relatively rare. Consequently, individuals aspiring to become licensed counselors must pursue related fields of study. Suitable majors in this domain include counseling, mental health, human services, behavioral science, social science, and psychology. In certain instances, however, it may be possible to choose mental health counseling as a concentration.

Degrees of this kind generally consist of 120 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately four years to complete. Undergraduate programs typically include both general liberal arts and specialized programmatic courses. Curriculum structures differ, but students can expect to engage with a range of standard subjects such as communication, mathematics, and social sciences, along with various major-related classes. Those studying counseling-related subjects are likely to receive instruction on behavioral health and counseling theories.

Again, this type of degree does not meet the minimum education requirements to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma. Graduates can, however, apply for various entry-level jobs in community and social service. They also tend to be well-prepared for enrollment in mental health counseling degrees at the master’s level. Aspiring master's degree candidates must be ready to fulfill institutional admission criteria, including minimum grade point averages (GPAs) and satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores.

National Rankings - 10 Online BS in Mental Health Counseling

Online Masters (MS)

Master’s degrees in mental health counseling generally range from 30 to 45 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately two to three years to complete. At the graduate level, coursework typically excludes undergraduate or general liberal arts classes. Nevertheless, students often need to demonstrate their proficiency in advanced subject matter within the field. To this end, many educational institutions mandate submission of previous transcripts to validate the completion of specific lower-level prerequisite courses.

While course requirements vary, it’s common for those enrolled to explore a variety of topics related to lifespan development, attachment theory, group dynamics, interviewing techniques, counseling theories, diagnostic practices, and ethics. Supervised counseling experiences are also fairly standard program components, giving students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field.

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Notably, this type of degree does meet the minimum education requirements to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma. Prospective students are encouraged to verify that their selected master’s programs are accredited by a recognized accrediting body as defined by the State Board of Behavioral Health. Students at this level can also choose a specialization such as school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, counseling psychology, drug and alcohol or addictions counseling, educational psychology, behavioral sciences, child abuse counseling, and other related educational programs and counseling programs that prepare students for the counseling profession with clinical training, multicultural competence, and the practical skills needed to succeed. Academic requirements for graduate degrees should mirror state requirements and prepare you to work in family counseling centers, counselor education, university counseling centers, addiction counseling centers, and other roles.

National Rankings - Top 25 Online MS in Mental Health Counseling

Online Doctorate (PhD)

A PhD or doctorate in mental health counseling may consist of between 60 and 120 credit hours that can take full-time students up to seven years to complete. These programs generally require about six years to complete.

As terminal degrees, these programs set high academic standards for students. While the specific curriculum varies by institution, those enrolled can typically expect to explore various advanced concepts in specialized counseling areas. Additionally, students commonly study strategic analysis research, research design, quantitative research, and qualitative research.

Initially, students tend to receive traditional classroom instruction. Later years, however, often focus more on independent study and research. Typically, these programs culminate in the completion, presentation, and defense of dissertations.

Importantly, this degree fulfills the education requirements needed to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma. As long as the academic program holds accreditation from a recognized accrediting body as defined by the State Board of Behavioral Health, graduates can pursue professional counseling careers in the state. Moreover, they may become eligible for high-level positions in clinical settings or as secondary education instructors.

Learn how you can pay for college Read our guide on counseling resources and scholarships

Become a Mental Health Counselor in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, like many other states, the process of becoming a licensed mental health counselor involves meeting specific education, training, and licensure requirements set and overseen by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) State Board of Behavioral Health.

The first step on the path to becoming a mental health counselor in Oklahoma is completing the necessary education. You must begin by earning a bachelor's degree in a related field such as psychology, counseling, social work, or a closely related discipline. The State of Oklahoma does not specify a particular undergraduate major, but it is advisable to choose a program that provides a solid foundation in mental health and counseling principles.

Once you have obtained a bachelor's degree, you will need to pursue a master's degree in counseling or a closely related field. At least 60 semester credit hours or ninety quarter credit hours of graduate counseling-related coursework, including a 300-hour internship, must be earned.

Core areas of study must include:

  • Human Growth and Development
  • Abnormal Human Behavior
  • Appraisal / Assessment Techniques
  • Counseling Theories / Methods
  • Professional Orientation / Ethics
  • Research

It’s crucial to ensure that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting body, as defined by the State Board of Behavioral Health. This means that the awarding college or university must be regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. Accreditation guarantees that the program meets the essential educational standards and requirements set by the state.

With your master's degree, you can begin the application process for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma. This will require you to select the type of licensure you are applying for and submit documentation of your education, background check, and any past examination results. Notably, you will need to pay the applicable licensure fees.

Afterward, you will be eligible to take the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Exam (OLERE). This examination tests your knowledge of relevant state rules and regulations for professional counselors.

Additionally, all applicants for LPC in Oklahoma must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE), which is distributed by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). This test is designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities determined to be important for providing effective counseling services.

It consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering information from the following six domains:

  • Professional Practice and Ethics
  • Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
  • Areas of Clinical Focus
  • Treating Planning
  • Counseling Skills and Interventions
  • Core Counseling Attributes

You will be unable to proceed further with your application until both examinations have been passed and scores received by the State Board of Behavioral Health. Afterward, you can begin the accrual of supervised experience hours. In Oklahoma, aspiring LPCs must accumulate a total of 3,000 hours of supervised work experience, with at least 2,000 hours involving direct client contact. Your supervisor must hold a license as a mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, or psychologist and have at least two years of licensure.

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After obtaining your LPC license, you can begin your career as a mental health counselor in various settings including mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, and private practices. Many professionals choose to work independently and open private counseling practices after gaining experience. While not mandatory, many mental health counselors in Oklahoma also choose to pursue additional certifications or specializations in areas such as marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, or other relevant specialties. Specializations can enhance your expertise and open new career opportunities.

Notably, it’s essential to stay current in the field by participating in continuing education. The license expires on the last day of the month, two years from the month it was issued. You will need to complete all continuing education requirements and apply for licensure renewal before the resulting expiration date.

Careers for Mental Health Counseling Graduates

  • Clinical Psychologist
    Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat various mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Often working in healthcare facilities, private practices, or academic settings - they conduct therapy sessions and utilize evidence-based treatments to help individuals improve their mental well-being. These professionals may also collaborate with other healthcare providers to offer more comprehensive care to patients. Their expertise plays a crucial role in addressing psychological issues and promoting mental health across diverse populations. According to PayScale, clinical psychologists make an average base salary of $83,574 per year.
  • Counseling Psychologist
    Counseling psychologists specialize in helping individuals cope with various life challenges, as well as personal, social, emotional, and/or mental health issues. These professionals work in diverse settings such as mental health clinics, schools, or private practice - conducting assessments and developing treatment plans tailored to each client's unique needs. They provide various counseling and therapeutic in order to improve the overall well-being of their clients, supporting individuals in their journey toward better mental health and emotional resilience. According to PayScale, counseling psychologists make an average base salary of $60,552 per year.
  • Direct Support Professional
    Direct support professionals provide assistance and care to individuals with disabilities or special needs to enhance their quality of life and independence. They offer various forms of support including personal care, companionship, and assistance with daily tasks like meal preparation and transportation. They often work in group homes, residential facilities, or directly with clients in their homes. Their role is vital in helping individuals with disabilities lead fulfilling lives and participate in their communities. According to PayScale, direct support professionals make an average base salary of $34,884 per year.
  • Organizational Psychologist
    Organizational psychologists administer various rating scales and psychological assessments to help companies and organizations determine potential training needs. They often work with managers to ensure work environments are well organized to improve employee morale and productivity. These professionals may also oversee staff selection, placement, education, and performance programs. According to PayScale, organizational psychologists make an average base salary of $89,000 per year.
  • Mental Health Counselor
    Mental health counselors provide essential counseling services to individuals and groups dealing with various mental and emotional challenges. They assess client conditions, develop treatment plans, and conduct therapy sessions to address specific issues, as well as offering support and guidance as clients manage their mental health, cope with stress, and improve overall well-being. They work in diverse settings including mental health clinics, schools, and private practices, tailoring their approaches to each client's unique needs and circumstances. According to PayScale, mental health counselors make an average base salary of $45,695 per year.
  • Mental Health Technician
    Mental health technicians provide vital support in clinical settings, assisting mental health professionals in caring for patients with various mental health issues. They help patients with daily activities, monitor their behavior, and document any progress. These professionals may also facilitate group therapy sessions and ensure a safe and therapeutic environment. Their role is crucial in helping individuals on their path to recovery and maintaining the overall operation of mental health facilities. According to PayScale, mental health technicians make an average base salary of $34,643 per year.
  • Organizational Psychologist
    Organizational psychologists, sometimes referred to as industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists, focus on studying and improving workplace dynamics. They analyze and assess various aspects of organizations - such as employee behavior, productivity, and management practices - and then use their expertise to develop strategies for enhancing job satisfaction, team collaboration, and overall organizational effectiveness. They often work with businesses, government agencies, and other entities to create healthier, more productive work environments. Their research and insights help organizations make informed decisions to optimize performance and employee well-being. According to PayScale, organizational psychologists make an average base salary of $88,989 per year.
  • Rehabilitation Counselor
    Rehabilitation counselors assist individuals with mental and/or physical disabilities in achieving independence and pursuing meaningful careers and lives. They provide counseling, guidance, and support to help clients overcome barriers and develop necessary skills, as well as collaborating with relevant healthcare providers, employers, and community resources to create customized rehabilitation plans. They play a crucial role in empowering individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives and participate actively in their communities. According to PayScale, rehabilitation counselors make an average base salary of $48,477 per year.
  • Sports Psychologist
    Sports psychologists work with athletes and coaches to enhance mental well-being and performance. They provide counseling, stress management techniques, and mental strategies to help individuals overcome psychological challenges in sports and address issues like anxiety, motivation, and focus to help sports workers reach their peak potential. These professionals may also conduct research to develop effective interventions and/or contribute to the overall mental health and performance of athletes and sports teams. According to PayScale, sports psychologists make an average base salary of $76,927 per year.

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