Clinical mental health counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. Clinical mental health counselors are highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico license or certify mental health counselors for private practice.

Clinical mental health counselors adhere to a rigorous code of ethics and professional practice standards.

Clinical mental health counselors offer a full range of services, including:

• Assessment and diagnosis
• Psychotherapy
• Treatment planning and utilization review
• Brief and solution-focused therapy
• Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment
• Psychoeducational and prevention programs
• Crisis management

In today's managed care environment, clinical mental health counselors are uniquely qualified to meet the challenges of providing high quality care in a cost-effective manner. Clinical mental health counselors practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs, and substance abuse treatment centers.

Licensure requirements for clinical mental health counselors are equivalent to those for clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists, two other disciplines that require a master's degree for independent status.

A licensed clinical mental health counselor has met or exceeded the following professional qualifications:

• Earned a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health discipline;
• Completed a minimum of two years post-master's clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional; and
• In NYS completed 3,000 supervised internship hours wherein mental health counselors better develop their individual and group therapy skills and;
• Passed a state-developed or national licensure or certification examination.