Many people who study psychology are motivated by an innate desire to help people. Luckily, a psychology degree can help launch multiple care-driven careers that positively impact the world around you.
One of the most versatile and multifaceted careers available to psychology students is the certified clinical mental health counselor, or CCMHC. Here we take a look at what this profession entails and why becoming a CCMHC could be the perfect fit for you.
What is clinical mental health counseling?
Clinical mental health counseling is the process of methodically applying interventions and high-quality mental health services to a diverse clientele in a variety of community settings.
CCMHC training focuses primarily on how to offer counseling and methodology, but many clinical mental health counselors also diagnose and treat mental illness as well as provide any number of other services to clients.
As a certified clinical mental health counselor, you provide evidence-based treatments for clients. The most common type of treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, but depending on the population and the type of job, a CCMHC might use any number of other therapies or clinical practices.
Review the following steps to learn more about what it takes to become a licensed mental health counselor.
Step 1: Earn a master’s degree
The first step to becoming a certified clinical mental health counselor is a master’s degree. Generally, a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field is sufficient for entry into master’s counseling programs.
It’s important to ensure that your master’s program is accredited and includes a curriculum that aligns with certified clinical mental health counselor requirements.
Most master’s programs take two years to complete (as a full-time student), with classroom learning providing a broad foundation of psychological knowledge. Part-time or online clinical mental health counseling programs may distribute class hours over a longer period of time.
Online clinical mental health counseling degree programs
For individuals hoping to become a clinical mental health counselor, finding a high-quality program that offers opportunities for distance learning can be a great opportunity to take the next step in their career.
With an online degree, you can still gain the manifold professional opportunities afforded to CCMHCs without needing to transplant your entire life to a new location.
Step 2: Apply for certification
According to the National Board for Certified Counselors, “Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CCMHC) have earned their board certification and offer the highest standards of practice in clinical mental health counseling because they have met stringent education, examination, supervision, experience, and ethical requirements.”
In addition to earning a graduate degree, to become a certified clinical mental health counselor you must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Passing this exam is just one part of the CCMHC licensure application. Other application requirements include:
- A graduate degree in counseling that includes key content areas and supervised field experience (see step 1)
- National Certified Counselor designation
- 100 hours of post-graduate clinical supervision and 3,000 hours of clinical contact with clients
- An endorsement from a colleague in the mental health field
After submitting all application materials and achieving a passing score on the exam, you can officially become a licensed and certified clinical mental health counselor.
Job opportunities in clinical mental health counseling
It’s common for CCMHCs to work as a part of a health care team that may include medical doctors, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other trained psychologists.
Teams or individual CCMHCs could be employed at a variety of different locations, including:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Family agencies
- Government services
- Mental health facilities
- Private practices
To do your own research into what types of jobs and salaries to expect in your area as a CCMHC, try searching online for jobs using the following keywords: a “master’s level” certification as a “mental health counselor” or “mental health professional.”
Establishing yourself as a certified clinical mental health counselor
In the field of psychology, many students may wonder, “How can I stand out from the rest?”
The number of people with a bachelor’s degree in psychology has steadily increased over the last few decades, and psychology is now one of the most popular majors in the United States. The market is flooded, and people with a degree should work to separate themselves into a field with good job prospects.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment for mental health counselors in the United States is expected to increase by 19% from 2014-2024, a rate that is “much faster than average.”
For those interested in becoming a CCMHC, the competition may be fierce. What is the best thing you can do for your career? Enroll in a high-quality graduate program specialized in clinical mental health counseling.
Learn more about how to become a clinical mental health counselor
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has long been renowned for innovations in remote learning, with more than 20 different psychology degrees offered online. The Chicago School offers a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at four locations—Dallas, Washington D.C., Chicago, and online. Request more information by completing the form below.