Counseling (LPCC, MFC, MHC)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) help people manage and overcome mental and emotional challenges that can impact life satisfaction and relationships. They empower diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals.
Professional employment settings include hospitals, schools (K-12 and higher education), mental health facilities, senior center facilities, social services agencies, prisons, or private practice.
All states require mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to be licensed in the state in which they practice. Individuals need to acquire a graduate degree in counseling or related field from an accredited institution to seek licensure. Programs that are accredited by CACREP or COAMFTE meet the highest standards in the nation.
Licensure also requires a master’s degree and 3,000 hours of post degree supervised clinical experience (in California), sometimes referred to as an internship or residency. The course requirements of the program and post degree hour requirements vary from state-to-state. Counselors and therapists must pass state-recognized exams in order to seeking licensure. After licensure, counselors and therapists must complete annual continuing education classes to maintain their license.
An individual interested in this occupation should be willing to be self-reflective, have high ethical standards, demonstrate good interpersonal skills, and be interested in becoming more culturally sensitive to work with any kind of client.
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