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Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on July 25, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
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Behavioral health is a broad field encompassing everything from substance use disorders and abnormal psychology to interpersonal relationships, lifestyle and patterns of behavior. It can also encompass various life stressors and crises, as well as physical symptoms that can stem from chronic or severe stress.
Careers in behavioral health — from public health nurses to behavioral health technicians — focus on helping individuals overcome their challenges and improving quality of life. Behavioral health professionals may do this by helping people understand their own thoughts and behavioral patterns better as a precursor to managing them and coping with them more effectively.
Students who are interested in human behavior, especially in clinical- or health-related settings, may decide to earn a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science degree. During the program, students will explore behavioral health concepts related to addiction and substance use, counseling, group dynamics and human development. Behavior health science programs will also typically cover current trends, best practices and up-to-date research findings.
What could you expect in terms of behavioral science major careers? Graduates may consider pursuing a career as a psychiatric technician or mental health psychiatric aide. There are also other behavioral health careers that you might be interested in learning more about, such as behavior specialist or case manager.
Each career in this healthcare field fulfills an important role. Some of these professionals may coordinate services together to ensure each individual receives the quality behavioral healthcare they need. With a variety of careers in behavioral health to consider, you may want to compare each job based on the typical responsibilities and what an average day might look like for these professionals.
A behavioral health technician, also known as a mental health technician, may work with inpatient or outpatient populations. They can provide care from intake to discharge and perform a variety of tasks.
These responsibilities can include helping new patients fill out paperwork, administering medication prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and monitoring patients’ vital signs and behavioral patterns. A behavioral health technician can also help other team members lead recreational or therapeutic activities. Sometimes, an empathetic ear is what a patient really needs, and behavioral health technicians can provide this, as well.
Behavioral health technicians can work in a variety of settings, including:1
The job of a behavioral health technician is an entry-level one. Job requirements will depend on the employer and the jurisdiction. Some aspiring behavioral health technicians may need a degree and/or certification.1
A psychiatric technician may work with individuals who have mental or emotional disorders or who have developmental disabilities. They are responsible for evaluating patients’ condition and progress and providing therapeutic care.
Working as a member of a healthcare team that may also include psychiatrists and registered nurses, a psychiatric technician may perform the following duties:
Psychiatric technicians may work with patients who can be challenging at times.
It can be helpful for these professionals to have or be willing to cultivate the following skills:2
The requirements to become a psychiatric technician can vary based on state requirements and employer preferences. Some psychiatric technicians may need postsecondary education, such as a bachelor’s degree. On-the-job training programs are common for this profession.2
A school-based behavior specialist is a professional who supports students with developmental delays, learning differences, disabilities or behavioral challenges. They typically collaborate with teachers and other school staff members, along with students’ parents or caregivers. Their goal is to provide the support students need to overcome behavioral and learning challenges in order to thrive in school and beyond.
Some of the typical tasks of a school-based behavior specialist may include:
It’s also important for behavior specialists to develop a positive rapport with students and parents. They need to convey caring and compassion in order to encourage students to work with them.
A mental health psychiatric aide is similar to a psychiatric technician or a behavioral health technician. However, they aren’t quite the same thing. The main difference between aides and technicians is that technicians can assist with therapeutic care, whereas aides focus on helping patients with day-to-day activities and with the general operations of the mental health facility.
A mental health psychiatric aide may work with patients with mental health disorders or behavioral disorders, as well as those with developmental disabilities. They may monitor the patients’ behavior and activities, relaying any concerns to a more senior member of the team.
In addition, mental health psychiatric aides may do any of the following tasks:
Like psychiatric technicians, a mental health psychiatric aide can typically expect to have a period of on-the-job training administered by their employer.2
Other types of behavioral health careers include positions within social services offices. The purpose of social services is to impact communities positively by promoting equality and opportunity. Professionals may work with individuals and or families to help improve their well-being. They may provide individual assessments or life skills group sessions, for example.
These types of positions can have a wide range of job titles, including:
Individuals who work in social services may carry out a wide range of tasks, depending on their employer and the needs of their clients.
These tasks might include:
Mental health case managers work with psychiatrists, assisting with patient screening processes in order to determine necessary treatments and a plan to carry out the treatment. In addition, they track progress throughout the treatment to ensure effectiveness.
A case manager might perform tasks such as:
Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university, aims to prepare our students to act as servant leaders in healthcare fields. The Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science degree program can allow you to explore best practices, approaches and techniques in behavioral health, with a focus on helping clients cope with issues like trauma, addiction and other psychiatric issues.
Support Others Through Behavioral Healthcare
Serve others as a behavioral health professional. Explore the BS in Behavioral Health Science at GCU!
