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Clinical Mental Health Counseling

What is Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

Clinical mental health counseling can have a profound impact on people’s lives. With a deep understanding of psychological theories, evidence-based practices, and ethical standards, clinical mental health counselors provide comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based interventions to promote mental well-being, personal growth, and healing for individuals, families, and communities.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs at The Chicago School

Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate programs provide students with the skills necessary to provide mental health services to a wide range of clients, including children and adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Students are prepared with competencies including ethics, research, evaluation, diagnosis, theories, career assessment, and counseling interventions.

Guided by practitioner-scholar faculty, The Chicago School’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs mix rigorous coursework with real-world experience in areas such as:

  • Depression 
  • Anxiety 
  • Grief
  • Low self-esteem
  • Stress
  • Relationship difficulties 
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Life transitions 

cacrep accredited logoThe M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs at The Chicago School are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), 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.

M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Chicago
Chicago
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Online
Online
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C.
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Dallas
Dallas

Careers in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

With a degree in clinical mental health counseling, students can become the catalysts for positive change, helping others navigate their struggles, build resilience, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives.

Public and Private Sector Employers:
  • Business
  • Education
  • Government
  • Nonprofit
  • Integrative health care
  • Department of Veteran Affairs
  • Private practice
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Job Titles:
  • Clinical mental health counselor
  • Therapist
  • Licensed professional counselor
  • Counselor

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

A CMHC program can help you pursue a career as a counselor. Depending on the program, you’ll be prepared to pursue a career as a licensed professional counselor. There are other career options available in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, such as therapist, counselor, and clinical mental health counselor.

Is it important to graduate from a CACREP-accredited CMHC program?

While not expressly necessary to become a counselor, a program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) meets the educational requirements for licensure and certification and can provide a more direct path if you plan to pursue licensure. All of The Chicago School’s Clinical Mental Health graduate programs are CACREP-accredited.

Is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program worth it?

If you are interested in a career in mental health counseling, the field is rapidly growing and seeking more graduates to join it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for mental health counselors is projected to grow by 19% from 2023 to 2033, which is a much faster average.

How does licensure differ by state?

Depending on the CMHC master’s program you graduate from, the licensure by state differs. All of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate programs meet the licensure requirements for most states in the U.S., but please visit our licensure disclosures for the full list of each program’s state licensure requirements.

Can you take a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program online?

Yes! At The Chicago School, we offer our CMHC program at a few of our campuses, as well as online. For the online M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, all of the coursework is completed online, with required in-person residencies. The residency requirement can be completed with the direction of a qualified on-site supervisor, at a location convenient to you.

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