The clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) program at Spalding University empowers students to use their knowledge, skills, and creativity to meet the behavioral and mental needs of their future clients. Students also learn to focus on one’s personal strengths rather than negative behaviors.
Whether you’re a recent grad or switching careers, this field is on the rise. Here are several career paths you can pursue with a CMHC degree:
Addiction Counselor
Also called substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, addiction counselors work with clients individually and in group sessions. They help clients manage stress, rebuild relationships, and restore their careers while guiding them to navigate personal challenges with family and friends.
Addiction counselors work in facilities that employ many types of healthcare and mental health professionals. These include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, physicians and registered nurses to develop treatment plans and coordinate care for patients.
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors advise individuals, families, couples, and groups. They may work with children or older adults, and treat clients who have a variety of conditions, such as anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. They also help with emotional health and relationship problems.
Crisis Counselor
A crisis counselor works with patients who have experienced moderate-to-severe trauma. These can include various issues, from mourning the loss of a family member, recovering from a car crash, or experiencing a natural disaster.
Crisis counselors help their patients overcome their trauma by teaching them coping strategies and understanding their emotions.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, behavioral, or similar disorders in the context of couples and other relationships. They evaluate family relationships and development to understand how these affect a client’s mental health. Treatment often involves addressing issues such as low self-esteem and addiction that impact the clients’ relationships.
Child Therapist
This counseling focus involves providing therapeutic services to young clients, some of whom may be struggling with diagnosed disorders, including ADHD, self-injury, depression, and trauma-related disorders. Child therapists can also help kids who are struggling with common problems like bullying, low self-esteem, stress, and family problems. They help their young clients learn to talk through their emotions, acquire proper coping skills, and develop healthy patterns of thinking and behaving.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or switching careers, mental health counseling is a growing field. The demand for mental health counselors is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Our CMHC program at Spalding is fully accredited. Visit our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling page to learn more .