Mental Health Provider Shortage: The Need for Licensed Counselors

There is a critical shortage of mental health providers across the United States, as the demand for mental health care services has been steadily increasing in recent years, particularly since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the 2023 State of Mental Health in America report, 55% of adults who experience mental health issues do not receive care. Because of a shortage of professionals, people in need often wait months to receive care, and in rural areas, the wait times tend to be even longer. In other words, the number of mental health providers entering the profession is not sufficient to keep up with the public’s demand.

To combat this shortage, now is an opportune time for an individual who is interested in the field to learn how to become a mental health counselor, what type of postgraduate education is required to become one, and how a professional who pursues this path can effectively assist the population of clients who are seeking care.

Mental Health Care in Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is one of the nation’s leaders in mental health care services. However, a mental health professional shortage is still a reality in the state. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1,155,000 adults in Massachusetts have a mental health condition, and more than half of these people have not received mental health care. Additionally, 273,105 people live in communities that lack an adequate number of mental health providers.

Furthermore, some people face considerable barriers to care, leaving many client populations with unmet needs, including individuals who live in rural areas as well as those who do not have adequate health insurance or are uninsured. Some groups face disproportionate barriers to mental health care, as well. For example, the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities reports that ethnic and racial minority groups may face additional financial, cultural, linguistic, and geographic barriers to accessing quality mental health care. It also notes that “significant collateral mental health damage” may occur as a result of these barriers.

To ensure the health and well-being of people who live in Massachusetts, the state needs new licensed mental health counselors to serve its diverse client populations.

What Is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor?

Licensed mental health counselors provide emotional and mental support to individuals who are experiencing mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, substance use, or grief, as well as those dealing with other difficult life situations. Clinical mental health counselors often work as members of a comprehensive team of medical professionals to identify the best course of action for treating a client.

Duties of a Licensed Mental Health Counselor

The responsibilities and duties of a licensed mental health counselor can vary but generally include the following:

Evaluating the mental health needs of clients
Diagnosing varied mental health disorders
Creating and implementing individualized treatment plans
Facilitating individual and group therapy sessions
Coaching and instructing clients on coping mechanisms
Supporting clients as they achieve their therapeutic goals
Maintaining confidentiality and ensuring ethical guidelines are met
Partnering with other members of a client’s healthcare team

Licensed Mental Health Counselor: Essential Distinctions

The role of the licensed mental health counselor is unique and involves one-on-one client care. Graduate education, training, and certification are required to qualify for the role. Individuals considering addressing the shortage of mental health providers by working in this field should consider the following points.

Types of Clients

Depending on their area of focus, a professional in this field may see a wide variety of types of clients spanning all ages. Alternatively, they might choose to specialize in an area, such as addiction counseling, child and adolescent therapy, couples counseling, or trauma recovery.

Education

To become a counselor, an individual must earn a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and gain a state-specific license to practice. The degree must be earned at an institution that aligns with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP).

Students in a master’s degree program in clinical mental health counseling will take courses such as:

Counseling Theories, Techniques, Practice, and Consultation
Crisis Intervention and Trauma-Informed Care
Systems and Theories in Counseling and Psychology
Multicultural Studies and Social Bases of Behavior

Regulatory and Ethical Standards

A licensed mental health counselor must adhere to strict ethical guidelines in their practice, which are set by their state’s licensing board and professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA). Additionally, professionals in this field must regularly engage in continuing education to maintain an active license while also confirming they remain abreast of best practices in client care and treatment.

Salary and Job Outlook

The median annual salary for mental health counselors is $76,523, according to Salary.com as of December 2024.

Individual mental health counselor salaries can vary and are based on factors such as the person’s years of experience, geographic location, level of education, and whether their employer operates in the for-profit or nonprofit sector.

Given the shortage of mental health providers, the job outlook for mental health counselors is positive, with a 19% employment growth projected from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS.

Choosing a Career in Mental Health Counseling

Individuals who are seeking to pursue an online masters in mental health counseling have myriad options to choose from.

One way to prepare for a satisfying career in mental health counseling is to enroll in the online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at American International College. The program is designed for working professionals and offers online learning alongside hands-on field placement opportunities to prepare you for client care success.

Learn more about the program, and find out how you can provide important mental health care and play a part in addressing the shortage of mental health providers in Massachusetts and beyond.

Recommended Readings

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