Immersive and practical training to prepare the next generation of mental health professionals.
The mission for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at The Chicago School’s downtown Chicago Campus is a Transformational, Community-Based Counseling Program committed to educational experiences that provide training in mental health counseling for a variety of clinical settings, such as: couples/family counseling, social service and mental health agencies, college counseling centers, non-profit organizations, and private practice. Focusing on three core areas of ethical practice, multiculturalism/social justice, and advanced clinical practice, the program prepares students to work in a variety of settings, especially those in underserved communities.
The Master of Arts Clinical Mental Health Counseling program on The Chicago School’s downtown Chicago Campus offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines academic study with hands-on clinical training. You will be equipped to deliver effective counseling services to individuals facing various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, stress, relationship difficulties, and suicidal thoughts.
You will benefit from a transformative learning experience that can accommodate your personal commitments as you pursue the M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. The program provides personalized advising, meaning you’ll be assigned a dedicated faculty member to guide you throughout your academic journey.
After you graduate from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A., you will be equipped to embark on your career with an expansive toolkit of competencies such as:
- Counselor identity
- Ethical and professional issues
- Diversity and multiculturalism
- Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment planning
- Methods of research and program evaluation
- Advocacy and social justice
The Chicago Campus' M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, meeting their standards with regard to institutional settings, program mission and objectives, program content, practicum experiences, student selection and advising, faculty qualifications and workload, program governance, instructional support, and self-evaluation.
COURSE SYLLABUS REQUEST
If you are interested in reviewing any of the syllabi of the courses in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, you may request them by sending an email to [email protected].
Dr. Dana Laughlin, M.A., NCC, LCPC
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion the program prepares students to:
Professional Practice
- Program prepares students to demonstrate contextual knowledge and application of the principles of mental health, wellness, and human development including prevention, education, consultation, intervention, and advocacy.
- Program prepares students to demonstrate knowledge and application of strategies for addressing diverse clients’ career development and employment opportunities in a global economy.
- Program prepares students to demonstrate knowledge and application of the helping process with diverse clients; counseling theories and techniques; prevention, education, and consultation; wellness models; counselor self-understanding; and the change process.
- Program prepares students to demonstrate knowledge and application of group development, dynamics, theories, techniques, therapeutic factors, and how they contribute to the design and facilitation of groups in a culturally relevant manner.
- Program prepares students to demonstrate knowledge and application of culturally and developmentally appropriate clinical assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation practices for diverse mental health service recipients in mental health service settings
Diversity
- Program prepares students to demonstrate an intersectional lens of cultural competence in counseling with individuals, groups, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds as well as the ability to advocate for equity and social justice in the promotion of mental health on the behalf of clients, the community, and the profession of counseling.
Professional Behavior
- Program prepares students to demonstrate knowledge and application related to ethical professional counseling practice, establish a professional counselor identity, and engage in effective interdisciplinary practice.
Scholarship
- Program prepares students to critically evaluate and utilize research, evidence-based practices, and program evaluation to inform the practice of clinical mental health counseling with diverse client populations.
Admissions Requirements
- Application
- Application fee ($50)
- Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited university
- GPA of 3.0 or higher is required
- Official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned
- It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications.
- Essay: The mission of the program is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, practices, and values of the counseling profession: empowerment, resilience, optimal development, multicultural competence, and holism, in order to promote the well-being of individuals, families, and the diverse systems that support them. In a two-page essay address the following:
- How you would contribute to the fulfillment of the program’s mission given your personal and professional characteristics and accomplishments, your academic background, and your experience, and
- Upon successful completion of the program, how do you see yourself contributing to the profession as a clinical mental health counselor?
- Resume
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Admissions Interview
Each applicant is reviewed holistically, taking factors such as personal and professional experience and accomplishments into consideration. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions to discuss their unique qualifications.
Applicant Notification
The Chicago School reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and applicants will be notified regarding the admission decision. The Chicago School does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.
Accreditation & Licensure
Accreditation
The M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in Chicago is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). To learn more about The Chicago School's institutional and programmatic accreditations, visit our Accreditation page.
Licensure
For information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.
CMHC Chicago Faculty
Dr. Dana Laughlin, Ed.D., MA, NCC, LCPC
Department Chair
Dr. Jeff Strozier, PhD, LCPC
Director of Clinical Training
Dr. Linda D. Robinson, Psy.D
Director of Clinical Training
Dr. Keiana Winters, Ph.D., LCPC, ACS, CCTP-II
Department Faculty
Fieldwork Opportunities
Practicum and Internship
Practicum and internship, sometimes referred to as field training or applied professional practice experiences, provides for the application of theory and the development of counseling skills under supervision. These experiences offer opportunities for students to counsel and provide other professional services to diverse clientele in their communities. Each student is responsible for identifying potential practicum/internship sites. Students are encouraged first to assess their counseling and professional interests, training needs, and goals (e.g., populations, settings, clinical presentations, and professional activities of interest). Then, students will tap into their existing personal and professional networks to learn of sites that provide clinical mental health counseling services. In addition, they may: conduct internet searches; consult the websites of local, state and national professional organizations; network with other human services organizations in their communities; and/or talk with the CMHC director of clinical training to brainstorm additional routes to site development.
Typically, students complete their practicum and internship at the same site. During the practicum course, students complete a supervised practicum experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor for a minimum of 100 hours. The practicum course consists of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the entirety of the semester, as well as coursework. Students will practice foundational counseling skills and, over time, integrate more advanced skills through practice in classes, supervised recorded sessions, and direct service at their sites. Moreover, the practicum experience often focuses on the personal qualities needed to develop genuine and effective counseling relationships with a wide range of clientele. As such, students learn self-assessment skills as well as how to understand clients’ worldviews.
After successfully completing the practicum course, students will enroll in Internship I. During the 14-week Internship I course, students complete the next level of supervised internship experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor, for a minimum of 300 hours to further develop their individual and group counseling skills. The Internship I course consists of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in site and group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the semester, as well as coursework.
Following successful completion of Internship I, students will enroll in Internship II. During the 14-week Internship II course, students complete a more advanced level of supervised Internship experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor, for a minimum of 300 hours to further develop their individual and group counseling skills. The Internship II course consists of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in site and group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the semester, as well as coursework. The internship is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a clinical mental health counselor, and students will participate in the full range of roles and responsibilities available at their sites.
Note the practicum and internship experiences are conducted under the direction of a qualified on-site supervisor, and the minimum total number of hours accrued is 700 (i.e., 100 practicum hours + 300 Internship I hours + 300 Internship II hours = 700 total hours). An advanced internship course is available to students needing a full year of field work or 900 hours of internship to complete the necessary coursework for counseling licensure in certain states.
Transfer of credit for the practicum/internship is not granted and practicum/internship requirements are never waived. Further details regarding practicum and internship are available from the CMHC director of clinical training.
Students registered in this program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.
Sample Courses
Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
The course reviews basic theories, principles, and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy, as well as applications to a variety of therapeutic settings. The course also focuses on personal theory construction, bias embedded in theory, and cultural diversity.
Diagnosis of Mental Health Issues
This course addresses the general principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Major definitions and descriptions of psychological phenomena as categorized and classified by the DSM diagnostic system are covered. This course includes models of mental status assessment as well as the application of how cultural factors influence mental health.
Lifespan Development
This course examines typical development from infancy through advanced age, focusing on the development of perceptual and cognitive processes, psychosocial roles, and familial interpersonal processes. Current clinical approaches are examined from diverse theoretical viewpoints and in light of recent research findings. Cultural diversity and individual differences are integral to this course.
Career Pathways
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at The Chicago School is committed to educational experiences that provide training in mental health counseling for a variety of clinical settings, such as:
- Couples/family counseling
- Social service and mental health agencies
- College counseling centers
- Non-profit organizations
- Private practice
Focusing on three core areas of ethical practice, multiculturalism/social justice, and advanced clinical practice, the program prepares students to work with a range of diverse clientele, including those within underserved communities.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling FAQs
What are Common Clinical Mental Health Counseling Jobs Post-Graduation?
With this continually growing field, the job outlook in mental health counseling has seen tremendous growth in the last decade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Depending on the specific type of counselor you start your career in, the employment growth projected from 2022 to the following decade ranges from 7% to as high as 18%.
Why Should I Get My Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Chicago?
Our flagship campus is located in the heart of downtown Chicago right on the Chicago River. Immerse yourself in your studies and also the culture of a metropolitan city with a vast network of field experience and opportunities at your doorstep.
Is the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters Only Offered in Chicago?
No, the M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is offered online, in Washington D.C. and Dallas in addition to Chicago.
Are The Chicago School’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Programs accredited?
Yes, The Chicago Campus’ M.A. in CMHC is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Learn more about how we gained accreditation status for this program.
Chicago Student Experience
The Chicago Campus is located right on the Chicago River in the heart of the Windy City. Attending school in a metropolitan location like Chicago gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in a culturally vibrant city overflowing with opportunities to network with working professionals and national and international organizations. Chicago is also home to some of the nation’s finest dining, entertainment, museums, and other activities that we are sure you will enjoy.
Programmatic Assessment Reports
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
Mental & Behavioral Health Professionals Tuition Rate
The Mental and Behavioral Health Professionals Tuition Rate has been established to support mental and behavioral health professionals who aim to better serve their clients and the community through advanced education and training. Students may be eligible for special tuition rates and/or additional institutional aid.
