Back to Search
Add to favorites
Career Profile

Mental Health Counselors

What they do:

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.

Also Called:

Behavior Analyst, Behavior Support Specialist (BSS), Case Manager, Clinician, Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Mental Health Counselor, Mental Health Program Specialist, Mental Health Specialist, Mental Health Therapist, Behavior Analyst, Behavior Support Specialist (BSS), Case Manager, Clinician, Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Mental Health Counselor, Mental Health Program Specialist, Mental Health Specialist, Mental Health Therapist

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State Data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$42,380
Starting Salary (2025)
$67,900
Median Salary (2025)
No Data
Projected Job Growth
31,730
TX Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.
Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Social
Working with people
Investigative
Studying, Research based work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Concern for Others
Stress Tolerance
Integrity
Self-Control
Social Orientation
Adaptability/Flexibility

What key skills are needed for this job?

Social Perceptiveness
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Service Orientation

Expected Knowledge

Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Common Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 5

Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Master's degree 64%
  • Bachelor's degree 25%
  • High school diploma 6%
  • Doctoral degree 3%
  • Associate's degree 2%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Healthcare Social Workers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Rehabilitation Counselors
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Add Mental Health Counselors to your favorites?

Add to favorites
Back to Search  

More Info

Career-and-Transfer-Center logo

Grayson College Career and Transfer Center

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
wcidwtm logo

Explore 106 major profiles, common career paths and strategies to maximize opportunities.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
mynextmove-p-500 logo

Search career information in detail by keywords, browse by industry, or via your interests.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
careeronestop logo

Explore career options, find training and education, plan for your job search and find local help and services.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
blsooh logo

The Occupational Outlook Handbook - browse occupations and resources and explore occupation groups.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
onet logo

The nation's primary source of occupational information. Complete data and information breakdowns for all careers.

Visit Site
(opens in new tab)
*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.