Career Opportunities After Earning Your LMHC Certification

Quick Highlights:

• The LMHC certification opens up diverse career paths, including traditional roles in private practice, community mental health centers, and hospitals, as well as specialized fields like school counseling, addiction counseling, and trauma and crisis counseling.
• There are new and growing opportunities in areas such as telehealth counseling, cutting-edge therapies like EMDR and brainspotting, and corporate roles through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). These roles offer flexibility, cost savings, and the ability to provide modern, effective mental health services.
• To maintain and enhance their careers, LMHCs need to engage in continuing education and professional development.
• Joining professional associations, attending workshops, and staying updated on the latest research are crucial for career growth and maintaining licensure.
• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and practicing self-care are essential for LMHCs to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. Setting boundaries, taking time off, and engaging in hobbies are strategies to ensure personal well-being while managing a demanding career.

According to a report from Forbes Health, 26% of adults in the US experience a mental health disorder diagnosis every year.  Even when mild, mental illness can wreak havoc on a person’s emotional wellbeing.  A mental health counselor can step in and provide support and encouragement to help their client overcome some of these life challenges. 

Becoming an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) is a big achievement. Having the certification opens up many doors for a rewarding career in mental health. But what comes next? This article will explore the many career paths you can take with an LMHC certification. We’ll look at traditional roles, specialized fields, and even some of the newest opportunities that are gaining momentum. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect and how to get the most out of your career as a mental health counselor. 

Related:

• The Role of Technology in Counseling
• The Role of Continuing Education in Your Counseling Career
• Highest Paying Jobs for Counseling
• Best Online Master’s in Family Counseling

Understanding the LMHC Certification

Before diving into career opportunities, it’s important to understand what an LMHC certification is. This certification shows that you have the necessary education and training to work as a mental health counselor. In most cases, this means you’ve completed a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field.  LMHC’s complete a post-degree supervised experience in professional counseling. They must also pass a licensing exam in their state. Earning an LMHC is not for the faint of heart.  It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to complete the process. But, these criteria are necessary. The certification validates your ability to provide mental health services.

Traditional Career Paths for LMHCs

Licensed Mental Health Counselors typically work in what we would consider to be a traditional counseling role.  They may work in private practice, where they provide individual and group counseling services.  Others work in community mental health centers, providing services to high risk or low-income clients.  And still others work in a hospital or clinical setting alongside a team of medical professionals.  We’ll take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of each setting.

Private Practice

One popular career path for LMHCs is starting their own private practice. In this setting, you can work independently, setting your own hours and choosing your clients. Running a private practice has many benefits, such as autonomy and maybe even a higher income. However, private practice comes with challenges, like managing business aspects and ensuring a steady stream of clients.

Pros: Schedule flexibility, greater earning potential, option of using telehealth

Cons: Business risk, start-up costs, work in greater isolation

Community Mental Health Centers

Another common workplace for LMHCs is community mental health centers. Here, you’ll work with diverse populations, providing essential services to those in need. The work environment can be busy and sometimes stressful, but it’s also highly rewarding. You get to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families who rely on these centers for mental health support.

Pros: Gain professional experience working with lots of different types of clients, professional network of peers, CEUs are often paid for

Cons: Large caseloads, lots of paperwork, lack of resources

Hospitals and Clinics

LMHCs are also valuable in hospitals and clinics. In these settings, you collaborate with medical professionals to offer comprehensive care. Your role may include counseling patients dealing with:

• chronic illnesses
• trauma
• grief

Working in a hospital or clinic can be tough. But it offers a dynamic environment and the chance to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Pros: Good salary, professional environment, ability to provide wrap around care to clients

Cons: Stressful work environment, clients may have more severe symptoms

Specialized Career Opportunities

An LMHC is a generalist by design, but there is the opportunity to specialize in an area.  Some counselors will earn a certification or license in an area like marriage and family therapy (MFT) or substance abuse counseling. Other counselors work with these groups as part of their overall counseling career.  We take a closer look at some of the most common specialization areas. 

School Counseling

For those who enjoy working with children and teens, school counseling is an excellent option. School counselors help students navigate:

• academic challenges
• social issues
• emotional problems

They also help high schoolers explore different career options and educational paths.  Counselors who work in a school system play an important role in supporting students’ overall well-being while helping them succeed in school.

Addictions

Counselors in this area help individuals struggling with addiction. We typically think of drug and alcohol in terms of addictions, but these counselors also work with individuals addicted to food or even gambling.  Counselors provide therapy, support, and resources to help clients overcome their addictions. They may also work with families to help them understand their role in the recovery process.  Specialized treatment programs and settings, such as rehabilitation centers, often employ substance abuse counselors.

Trauma and Crisis Counseling

Trauma and crisis counseling is a field where LMHCs provide support in emergency and disaster situations. Their services may be needed on a short term or long-term basis depending on the need.  You’ll work with trauma survivors, helping them process their experiences and begin healing. Trauma counselors can work with both children and adults, so they have a diverse caseload. This specialization requires strong resilience and the ability to handle intense emotional situations, but it’s incredibly impactful work.

Emerging and Non-Traditional Roles

As we mentioned earlier, the field of counseling is always changing.  Research guides best practices and counselors change course to provide more effective therapies.  We’ll take a look at some of the latest advances in the field of counseling.

Telehealth Counseling

With the rise of technology, telehealth counseling has become a popular option for counselors and their clients. As a telehealth counselor, you’ll provide mental health services online, using video calls and other digital tools. Telehealth offers a variety of benefits for counselors including:

• Increased efficiency: Telehealth platforms often provide counselors with a more streamlined process for scheduling, billing, and note-taking
• Cost savings:  Counselors using telehealth can reduce the overhead costs of having a traditional office space.  They can also save money on commuting expenses.
• Work-life balance: Without the commute or traditional 8-5 schedule, counselors using teletherapy can set their own schedule and work around personal commitments. 

Clients also benefit from using teletherapy.  Multiple research studies have shown that telehealth is just as effective as traditional therapy methods.  In fact, a study published in 2020 by BMC Psychiatry showed that 70% of participants who received messaging therapy showed significant improvement with their anxiety or depression symptoms.  In fact, 50% of that group completely recovered from their symptoms and no longer met the criteria for an anxiety or depression diagnosis. 

Teletherapy is not without its challenges though.  It can be difficult to build rapport through a screen or over the phone.  You might also miss out on non-verbal cues like body language which could hinder your ability to make a complete assessment.   

Cutting Edge Therapies

One way to stand out as a counselor is to offer cutting edge therapies to your clients. There are some exciting newer therapies like brainspotting and EMDR that have shown evidence of success. Brainspotting is a noninvasive form of psychotherapy that uses eye movement to bring trauma to light so an individual can heal. It’s shown promise in areas outside of trauma including anxiety and impulse control issues.

EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, is another promising technique. EMDR uses eye movement paired with tapping or the use of certain sounds to help the brain process trauma. The idea is that when we experience something traumatic, our brains get stuck. The eye movements or other actions help the brain work through the memory. Over time, the scary or upsetting memory becomes less intense and easier to handle.

Both of these therapies require extensive training and certification.

Corporate and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Another emerging field for LMHCs is working in corporate settings through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). These programs are offered by employers and serve as a way to build support systems for their employees. In this role, you’ll provide mental health support to employees, helping them manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.  These employees may seek out EAP assistance on their own or they may be directed to EAP by their employer. EAP counselors also support employees and their families by providing grief counseling and crisis management assistance.  This can lead to a healthier, more productive workplace.

EAP counselors are also extremely resourceful and can refer workers to the right experts when dealing with challenges like substance abuse or psychological disorders.  They can provide assistance for anything from legal challenges to marital support.

EAP counselors are incredibly valuable to the organizations they support. Employees who use EAP services report feeling more productive and have less absences.

Research and Academia

If you’re interested in teaching and research, a career in academia might be for you. LMHCs in this field contribute to the counseling profession by conducting research, teaching future counselors, and publishing their findings. The American Counseling Association (ACA) publishes cutting-edge research and insights the field of counseling.  Academics can publish their work in a variety of areas from counselor education and supervision to addictions and offender counseling. This role requires a passion for learning and a desire to advance the field of mental health.

Additional Considerations for Career Development

Once you have your LMHC certification, it’s important to think about how you can continue to grow in your career, maintain your license, and prevent burnout. Becoming a successful counselor doesn’t stop at getting your license; it involves continuous learning and development. Gaining exposure to new trends or ways of thinking can help keep things fresh and exciting.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

To stay current in your field, continuing education and professional development are key. This means taking courses, attending workshops, and staying updated on the latest research. The ACA offers a variety of online courses to help counselors stay informed and enhance their skills.  Some of these courses are available for free while others have a member and non-member price. 

Professional conferences also offer continuing education credits, but may require travel or registration fees. It’s important to check out your options and figure out which type of professional development is right for you.

Networking and Professional Associations

Joining professional associations can provide numerous benefits. These organizations offer networking opportunities, continuing education, and access to valuable resources. Being part of a professional community can also offer mentorship and collaboration opportunities, helping you grow in your career.  We recommend checking out:

• The American Counseling Association
• American Mental Health Counselors Association
• National Board of Certified Counselors

There are also organizations for counselors who specialize including the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and the American School Counselors Association.

Work-Life Balance and Self-Care

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for mental health professionals. It’s important to practice self-care and manage stress to avoid burnout. Counselors typically have a great deal of empathy and compassion for others and a lack of work-life balance can start to lead to compassion fatigue.  Strategies like setting boundaries, taking time off, and engaging in hobbies can help you maintain your well-being while thriving in your career.

Conclusion

Earning your LMHC certification opens up a world of career opportunities. Whether you choose to work in private practice, community mental health centers, hospitals, or specialized fields like school or substance abuse counseling, there are many paths to success. Teletherapy and EAP counseling also offer promising opportunities to LMHCs who want to align their skillset with the current trends.

The key to a fulfilling career as a counselor is finding a path that aligns with your personal passions and professional goals. Continue learning, stay connected with your professional community, and take care of your own well-being as you kick start your career. The field of mental health counseling can be rewarding and satisfying, and as an LMHC, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of others.