Degrees and Jobs in Mental Health Care

What Are Mental Health Professions?

Several types of trained mental health professionals provide psychotherapy, including psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers, and psychiatrists. Training and licensing requirements depend on the profession and location. Ask providers about their qualifications, relevant experience, fees, and whether they accept your insurance^[1].

Types of Mental Health Professions

If someone has a mental health concern, their first step might be to contact their family physician. The doctor can make a referral to the appropriate mental health professional for their needs. It's also possible for someone with a mental health issue to conduct research online and select a professional to help them independently. Below is an exploration of some common mental health professions.

Therapists & Counselors

Mental health counselors typically hold a master’s degree and complete supervised clinical training. They assess clients’ needs and provide counseling; some specialize in particular conditions or populations. Requirements vary by counseling role and jurisdiction^[2].

Elements of Psychotherapy

Depending on the person’s needs and the treatment approach, psychotherapy may include:^[1]

• Identifying long-standing automatic thought patterns and beliefs that limit a person's ability to reach their goals
• Learning to put space between self-defeating thoughts, question them, and understand how they influence behavior—then change them
• Exploring interpersonal relationships and learning skills to improve them
• Moving from getting stuck in how problems make the patient feel to problem-solving
• Learning how mindfulness and relaxation can help to regulate emotions
• Using exposure to increase tolerance to stress
• Linking behaviors to emotions
• Receiving emotional support within a collaborative, trustworthy therapeutic relationship
• Creating safety plans

Subject matter expert

Carlos Protzel Psy.D.

Integrative mental health care

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Psychologists

Clinical and counseling psychologists typically earn a doctoral degree. Psychologists study thought, emotion, and behavior and may work in healthcare, education, research, or private practice. Training requirements differ by specialty^[3].

Psychiatrists are medical doctors. Clinical and counseling psychologists commonly provide assessment and psychotherapy. Some jurisdictions also allow specially trained psychologists to prescribe certain medications, subject to additional qualifications and local rules; prescribing authority is not limited to New Mexico and Louisiana^[3][4].

Clinical Social Workers

Clinical social workers assess and treat mental health conditions and provide psychotherapy. They need a master’s degree, supervised clinical experience, and state licensure. Their work can also include advocacy, case management, and connecting people with resources such as housing and healthcare. Social workers work in settings including hospitals, schools, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private practice^[5][5].

Theoretical Orientations

Every mental health professional who practices psychotherapy uses established philosophies, known as theoretical orientations, to guide therapy sessions. Some specialize in one orientation, while others use a blended approach. Popular examples include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This approach helps people recognize and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior^[6].
• Psychoanalytic: This approach explores unconscious meanings, motivations, and experiences that may influence emotions, thoughts, and behavior^[6].
• Psychodynamic: These approaches developed from psychoanalysis and explore emotional patterns, relationships, and the influence of past experiences on current difficulties^[7].
• Person-centered: This humanistic approach emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and the client’s capacity for growth and self-understanding^[6].
• Narrative: This approach separates people from problems and explores the meanings, skills, values, and alternative stories that can support change^[8].
• Family systems: This approach considers difficulties within relationships and their wider context, rather than viewing the individual in isolation^[9].

Counselors, therapists, psychologists, and clinical social workers offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy and oversee group therapy sessions.

More Mental Health Care Jobs

Treating mental health requires a multidisciplinary team of experts. Below are more job roles associated with mental health professions:

• Art therapist
• Child psychotherapist
• Dietician
• Music therapist
• Neurologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Mental health nurse
• Occupational therapist
• Psychiatrist

Therapists, counselors, psychologists, and social workers provide psychotherapy to people experiencing mental health disorders. Education and scope of practice vary by profession, specialization, and licensing requirements^[2][3][5].

Check a provider’s credentials and ask about their experience, approach, and fees. An introductory conversation can help you decide whether you feel comfortable and confident working together^[1].