How To Become a Licensed Professional Counselor: Tips for Current Professionals
Changing careers can feel daunting, but moving into an in-demand field like counseling represents a long-term job solution that can be both personally and professionally rewarding.
According to Mental Health America, in 2024 nearly one in four adults experienced mental illness; however, only 25% of the affected population received mental health treatment. It is no surprise, then, that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the demand for counselors to grow much faster than the U.S. average, between 2024 and 2034.
Individuals interested in pursuing a new career in this field need to understand how to become a licensed professional counselor. This process involves meeting several specific benchmarks, including completing the required education — such as obtaining a master’s in counseling psychology — gaining relevant experience, and securing a license.
What Is a Licensed Professional Counselor?
Licensed professional counselors use various behavior-related therapeutic strategies to help individuals improve their well-being. They assess clients for symptoms of distress, talk about their experiences and emotions, and identify triggers related to their challenges. They also develop individualized plans to help clients overcome or mitigate the negative effects of these triggers.
The goal of counseling isn’t necessarily to eliminate the issues driving their behaviors; that may not even be possible. Counseling is focused on helping individuals cope with those issues in a positive rather than negative manner.
Key issues that licensed professional counselors may address with clients include work or financial stress, relationship issues, social challenges like prejudice or bullying, and conditions like anxiety and grief. Counselors may work in private practices, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, and other environments.
Core Responsibilities of Licensed Professional Counselors
Licensed professional counselors apply evidence‑based strategies to help clients navigate emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. Their responsibilities include:
- Conducting clinical assessments
- Developing individualized treatment plans
- Providing evidence‑based counseling
- Supporting clients through crises
- Teaching coping, communication, and problem‑solving skills
- Monitoring progress and adjusting treatment
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams
- Maintaining accurate documentation
- Educating clients and families
Licensed Professional Counselor Salary and Job Outlook
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned a median annual salary of $59,190 as of May 2024, according to the BLS, with the top 10% earning more than $98,000.
The BLS projects that positions for these counselors are projected to increase by 17% between 2024 and 2034, more than five times the growth of the labor market as a whole.
How To Become a Licensed Professional Counselor: Steps and Tips
The opportunity to help someone improve their well-being is a compelling reason to become a licensed professional counselor, especially for those who feel burned out by their current careers and are looking for a change. Although there are challenges to switching careers, the mental health field offers long-term satisfaction that can make it worth the effort.
There are some key steps and tips involved in successfully transitioning to a career as a counselor.
1. Confirm the Career Change
An important step in learning how to become a licensed professional counselor is to do sufficient research. Those interested in this type of transition want to understand how it will impact their lives. They can start by exploring the pros and cons of the role, understanding how it differs from related careers, and determining if counseling aligns with their interests and goals. They may want to reach out to current counselors to get insights from those in the profession. They may also want to consider the investment needed around becoming a licensed professional counselor.
Those who are certain that counseling is a field they want to pursue can feel confident about moving through the next steps.
2. Complete Educational Requirements
A master’s degree in counseling or psychology is typically required for licensed professional counseling roles. Many commonly have an undergraduate degree in psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, or a related field. If an individual has earned a different type of undergraduate degree, they may need additional prerequisite courses before enrolling.
These educational requirements help individuals gain knowledge of the essential counseling theories and techniques. They also help people develop the attributes needed to become good counselors, such as advanced communication skills, compassion, and cultural competence.
3. Gain Relevant Experience
After earning a degree, graduates must complete a specific number of supervised clinical hours to ensure they are fully capable of providing therapeutic care that produces positive results. Individuals typically complete some or all of these hours as part of their degree programs. While the number of clinical hours varies by state, the typical requirement is usually 100 practicum hours and over 600 clinical hours.
4. Obtain Licensure
After completing the required supervised clinical hours, graduates must gain licensure in their intended state of practice via a licensing exam. Each state has its own licensing requirements, but most counselors end up as licensed professional counselors or licensed mental health counselors. Additionally, they must confirm the requirements in their intended state of practice before completing their education.
Becoming a Counselor Is a Change That Can Make a Difference
Learning how to become a licensed professional counselor after deciding on a career change can be intimidating, yet immensely satisfying in the long term. The fundamental goal of counseling is to help people improve their mental and emotional well-being. This means every successful outcome substantially improves the lives of others.
Felician University’s online Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) program combines online coursework and in-person field experiences, which allows students to obtain counseling knowledge and apply what they’ve learned in supervised real-world scenarios. The program includes courses such as Development Models of Personal Growth and Assessment and Treatment Planning, alongside required practicum and internship hours.
Learn how Felician University can help you embark on the next chapter of your professional life. Get your free guide today.
Recommended Readings
Sources:
- BetterHelp, “A Guide To Becoming a Therapist Later in Life”
- Indeed, “How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor (With Salary)”
- Indeed, “How To Change Careers: A Step-By-Step Guide”
- Mental Health America, The State of Mental Health in America
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health by the Numbers
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Verywell Mind, “Mental Health Counselor Training, Skills, and Salary”