Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.
Mental Health Counselors
SOC: 21-1014 O*NET: 21-1014.00
Median Salary
N/A
per year
Job Growth
➡️ N/A
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
N/A
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.
What does a Mental Health Counselors do?
How much can you earn?
Limited Data Available: Detailed wage distribution data is not currently available for this occupation.
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Service Orientation
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Service Orientation
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs100%
5 shared skills
Human Resources Specialists100%
5 shared skills
Marriage and Family Therapists100%
5 shared skills
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Critical Thinking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Writing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Mental Health Counselors
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Oracle PeopleSoft
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (7)General Responsibilities (8)Communication & Coordination (1)Analysis & Evaluation (3)
1
Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination82% perform88%
8
Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Mental Health Counselors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Mental Health Counselors professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Mental Health Counselors
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.96
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.86
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.75
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.71
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.68
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.54
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
5.0
Integrity
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Self-Control
4.7
Cooperation
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Social Orientation
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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