Mental Health Careers: Exploring Your Options

If you’re interested in pursuing a career that may allow you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, consider the mental health field. There are many entry-level mental health careers and advanced career options to consider — from counseling to psychiatry and beyond.

Each of these career options has different academic requirements, which can differ from state to state. Be sure to research your state’s requirements for any career you’re interested in.

In This Article:

• Types of Careers in Mental Health
• Where Do Mental Health Professionals Work?
• Is the Mental Health Field Growing?
• Benefits and Challenges of Mental Health Careers
• Get Started Today at GCU

Types of Careers in Mental Health

Mental health is a vast field with diverse opportunities. To narrow down your choices, spend some time learning about the types of mental health professionals and what they do.

Mental Health Counselor

Substance use, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors provide support to people struggling with different life challenges, including substance use disorder, anxiety, stress, grief and others. 

They may do any of the following:

• Evaluate clients’ behaviors and concerns and developing treatment plans
• Help clients learn how to develop healthy behaviors and coping skills
• Support clients’ family members by teaching them about the disorder and helping them learn how to support their loved one at home
• Refer clients to needed services, such as job placement services or support groups

Career requirements can vary by state, but all counselors who work in private practice or in advanced positions must be licensed. Licensure requires a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, along with completion of supervised clinical experience hours and a passing score on a licensure exam.¹

It's common for aspiring counselors to start by earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling or social science. They may start in an entry-level role, but after obtaining state licensure, a counselor may decide to position themselves to potentially pursue career advancement by opening up their own private practice or working in an agency setting.¹ 

Psychiatrist

People often confuse psychiatrists with psychologists, but there are notable differences. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in mental health. They can deliver psychotherapy and prescribe medications and other medical treatments.² 

By contrast, psychologists undergo extensive training in clinical practice, but they are not medical doctors. Psychologists can provide psychological evaluation, testing and treatment, but they cannot prescribe medications.²

Psychiatrists can work with patients suffering from any mental health disorder. 

They may do any of the following:

• Perform patient intake assessments, such as by taking medical histories
• Evaluate symptoms and diagnosing patients
• Develop treatment plans, including prescribing medications
• Provide counseling and psychoanalysis in regular sessions

Becoming a psychiatrist starts with earning a bachelor’s degree that can allow you to meet the admission requirements for medical school. It’s also helpful to volunteer or intern at a clinic to bolster your resume in anticipation of applying to medical school.²

To apply for medical school, you’ll need to first take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). If accepted, you can earn a doctor of medicine (MD) degree or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree. After graduating, you’ll need to complete psychiatric residency training, and you may decide to complete fellowship training, as well. You’ll also need to obtain a medical license by passing the licensure exam.²

Marriage and Family Therapist

A marriage and family therapist specializes in working with couples and families. They treat behavioral disorders within the context of relationships, such as by helping couples work through relationship problems and better understand each other’s emotional needs. For example, a marriage and family therapist may help couples whose relationship is suffering from addiction, low self-esteem or emotional neglect. 

These therapists may do any of the following:

• Ask open-ended questions designed to encourage clients to share their experiences and emotions
• Help clients process feelings and adapt to changes
• Teach coping strategies and decision-making skills

After earning a relevant bachelor’s degree, an aspiring marriage and family therapist must earn a master’s degree in psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field. Requirements vary by state, but generally they must also complete supervised clinical experience hours (similar to internships) and take a licensing exam in order to obtain a license.³

Mental Health Nurse

Not all who work in the mental health field are counselors or psychologists. If you feel drawn to the nursing field, you might consider becoming a nurse who specializes in mental healthcare. This career path also provides opportunities for potential career advancement.

A mental health nurse may do any of the following:

• Provide crisis intervention services
• Assess patients
• Administer medications and other treatments
• Lead therapeutic activities for groups of patients
• Provide case management services

To become a registered nurse (RN), you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. You’ll also need to pass the NCLEX-RN® to obtain licensure, in addition to meeting your state’s other requirements for nurses. These may include passing a criminal background check and obtaining additional certifications.⁴ 

After working as a mental health nurse for a while, you may decide to position yourself to potentially pursue career advancement to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), which is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). You’ll need either a master’s or doctoral degree that focuses on your nursing specialty, and you’ll need to pass the board certification exam.⁵ As a PMHNP, you’ll be able to practice with greater autonomy. 

Related Article: Explore Different Psychology and Counseling Careers 

Where Do Mental Health Professionals Work?

Mental health careers can take you to a variety of work settings.

The following are some of the common workplaces for those pursuing a career in mental health:

• Hospitals: Hospitals employ mental health professionals in both inpatient and outpatient care to provide support for patients with mental health conditions.
• Clinics: Mental health clinics offer a range of services, including therapy, counseling and assessments.
• Schools: School counselors and other mental health professionals work to support students’ academic and emotional well-being.
• Community centers: Community health centers provide mental health services to diverse groups, often offering services such as crisis intervention as well as support groups.
• Private practices: Licensed professionals can establish their own practice, offering individual and group therapy.
• Psychiatric treatment facility: Mental health practices in psychiatric treatment facilities include multiple types of therapies, medication management and support services aimed at addressing and managing mental health disorders.

Is the Mental Health Field Growing?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a positive job growth rate for many types of mental health professionals. According to the BLS, the job growth rate for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is expected to be 19% from 2023 through 2033, much faster than average. This indicates employers may hire about 84,500 new counselors during this time.⁷

The job growth outlook for marriage and family therapists is also positive. The BLS expects the job growth rate to be 16% from 2023 to 2033, also much faster than average, indicating a need for about 12,300 new therapists during this time period.⁸

If you’d like to become a nurse who specializes in mental health, you may be interested to know that the BLS anticipates a 6% job growth rate for all types of RNs from 2023 through 2033, faster than average. This indicates healthcare employers expect to hire about 197,200 new RNs during this time period.⁹

Benefits and Challenges of Mental Health Careers

Like all career fields, the mental health field offers both advantages and potential challenges, although the experiences of any individual professional will be unique.

Some advantages of a career in mental health may include:¹⁰

• Meaningful work and job satisfaction
• Scheduling flexibility
• Ability to work with a variety of people
• Diverse employment opportunities

On the other hand, a career in mental health may also have some challenges. Helping people with behavioral and mental health disorders can sometimes be stressful. Those who decide to run their own private practices may experience additional sources of stress associated with daily operations.¹⁰ It’s important for mental health professionals to take the time to care for their own mental health.

Get Started Today at GCU

Grand Canyon University offers many psychology and counseling degree options for both undergraduate students and those interested in earning a master’s degree. Apply online for enrollment in the Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness degree or the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. You can request a consultation with a university counselor by filling out the form on this page.