Continuing Education for LMHCs: Lifelong Learning Opportunities and Requirements

Quick Highlights:

• LMHCs earn an average salary of $96,681, and there is a high demand for these professionals with a 19% job growth rate expected between 2023 and 2033.
• Becoming an LMHC requires a master’s degree in counseling, clinical experience, and passing national and state exams for licensure.
• Continuing education is essential for LMHCs to maintain their licenses, improve their professional skills, and ensure ethical practices.
• There are various ways to fulfill continuing education requirements, including online courses, workshops, professional events, and graduate-level coursework.

Do you want to make compassion your calling? If yes, then you should become a licensed medical health counselor (LMHC). Besides being a force of compassion, you will also enjoy many benefits.

• LMHCs earn  $96,681 per year, on average. You can earn as much as $109,488 per year.
• There’s a high demand for LMHCs. The BLS forecasts a 19% projected job growth rate (2023-2033) or 48,900 new openings per year.
• LMHCs have a wide range of career paths and workplaces to choose from.

But the road toward being an LMHC isn’t an easy one. You must earn a master’s degree in counseling and complete clinical experiences. Then, you must pass national and state exams for licensure. You will then earn a state-issued license.

It doesn’t stop there, either. Once you’re licensed, you must meet the requirements for continuing education for LMHCs.  Why? Continuing education is the primary way to keep your license.

But it’s not only about compliance with the law either. More importantly, it’s also about your personal and professional development.

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What Is Continuing Education for LMHCs?

At the heart of continuing education for LMHCs is ongoing professional development. Continuing education is essential for LMHCs and society for the following reasons.

• Ensures compliance with license renewal rules
• Protects public health and safety
• Enhances client outcomes
• Improves professional knowledge, skills, and competencies
• Promotes ethical and legal practices based on current standards

Most of all, you will enjoy personal growth. Your business is to encourage people to become better versions of themselves. Walk the talk.

Every state has its specific requirements for continuing education for LMHCs. Nonetheless, the general requirements are as follows:

• State-specific requirements can include 20-40 continuing education hours for 1-2 years of license.
• Industry organizations usually set national requirements.

The continuing education hours must be completed via state-recognized and accredited organizations. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) is a notable example.

Continuing Education Requirements for LMHCs

As soon as you get your license, you must note the LMHC continuing education requirements. You can start planning when and how you can meet them.

Again, state-specific LMHC CE requirements vary due to regulatory independence. Every state’s licensure board sets requirements in the following areas:

• Renewal period (i.e., when LMHCs must renew their licenses with corresponding required hours)
• Number of hours required as continuing credits
• Types of state-approved continuing education programs
• In-person and online learning options
• Specific courses or topics covered (e.g., substance abuse, suicide prevention, and legal developments)

Almost all states require the completion of ethics courses for LMHCs for license renewal. These courses cover topics in dual relationships, client confidentiality, and conflicts of interest.

You must also complete courses in legal updates. These courses cover the latest developments in patient rights, mandated reporting, and mental health rules.

And then there are the national certifications with their specific continuing education requirements. The NBCC allows publications, dissertations, and supervision/consultation, among others, for credits. For National Certified Counselors (NCC), NBCC requires completion of 100 hours every five years.

Types of Continuing Education Opportunities for LMHCs

If you want to find the best CEUs for mental health counselors, you must spend the time and effort. Furthermore, it’s important to learn from them and maintain proper documentation.

Workshops and Seminars

Both in-person and online options are available. Be sure to focus on specific mental health issues and techniques.

Online Courses and Webinars

Online continuing education for counselors offers scheduling flexibility. You can also find a wide variety of topics. You can complete online courses and webinars at your own pace, too.

Conferences and Professional Events

These are excellent venues for networking opportunities. New connections await. You will also get information about the latest research and practices.

Graduate-level Coursework

Check out brick-and-mortar universities and online platforms for advanced certificates and degrees.

Peer Consultation and Supervision

Collaborative learning with your peers and supervisors is a must, too. Case discussions and consultations are popular examples.

Reading Professional Journals and Publications

This is the best and easiest way for lifelong learning for LMHCs. You can read journals at libraries or get subscriptions. Staying informed about the latest research or trends is a must for success.

Benefits of Continuing Education for LMHCs

Earning CEUs for licensed mental health counselors isn’t an easy task. You will encounter challenges, too. However, earning CEUs has its rewards that make the time and effort worthwhile.

Staying updated on best practices in mental health counseling

With new technologies and therapies always being developed, it’s crucial to stay updated. You can adapt to new challenges, too, when you’re informed.

Enhancing skills and knowledge in specialized areas

Continuing education results in more breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in your specialty. New skills development is a must, too, with technological advancements.

Meeting ethical and legal obligations

Laws and ethics change over time. Continuing education ensures that you’re compliant with current legal and ethical standards. This is also part of risk management.

Improving client outcomes through advanced techniques

When you know the newest and best practices, you can develop better treatment plans. Your patients will enjoy better outcomes in the process. Plus, your professional reputation improves.

Maintaining licensure and certification

Of course, continuing education for LMHCs is a must for license and certification renewal. Without a license, you can’t practice as an LMHC.

How to Choose the Right Continuing Education Opportunities

With so many choices, you can be overwhelmed and choose without thinking. Here are tips to choose the right ones.

1. Align your education with career goals and interests.

• Consider your long-term goals and specialty.
• Choose courses that improve your competencies.
• Pursue new topics and interests.

2. Consider the quality and credibility of providers.

• Check the providers’ state approval and accreditation. This is the most important aspect of choosing CE opportunities. 
• Ask about the instructors’ credentials and reputation.
• Read the reviews and feedback.

3. Balance cost and time commitments.

• Look for quality yet affordable providers. Ask about free and discounted courses. 
• Consider your schedule and find the ones that fit into it. Look for self-paced learning programs.

4. Seek opportunities that offer practical skills and tools.

• Look for opportunities that emphasize hands-on learning.
• Consider opportunities with new tools and technologies and offer immediate applications.

Challenges in Fulfilling Continuing Education Requirements

You will likely encounter many or all of these challenges. Fortunately, these can be overcome by keeping these tips in mind.

Balancing work, personal life, and education

• Adopt effective time management habits.
• Choose self-paced courses and other flexible learning options.

Paying for the cost of continuing education

• Look for free or affordable courses.
• Apply for scholarships, grants, and employer support.
• Ask about tax deductions.

Finding relevant and engaging content

• Research the offerings of accredited providers. Read reviews and feedback. 
• Ask for recommendations.
• Find something new about the content. Have an open mind.

Overcoming burnout and maintaining motivation

• Set realistic goals about your continuing education needs.
• Prioritize your physical and mental health.
• Focus on relevant topics instead of choosing based on a herd mentality.

Resources for Continuing Education

These are the best resources for professional development for mental health counselors. Your job is to choose opportunities according to your interests and goals.

Professional organizations offering CEUs

• The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) has a list of approved providers and a CEU Marketplace.
• American Counseling Association (ACA) offers conferences, webinars, and workshops where certificates have embedded CEUs.

Online platforms and universities

• Udemy
• Coursera
• Harvard Online
• Universities with online CE programs for LMHCs (e.g., Walden University and Northwestern University)

Local and regional mental health organizations

• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Mental Health America
• Southern California Counseling Center
• Texas Counseling Association
• California Board of Behavioral Sciences
• Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

Free and low-cost continuing education options

Look for these affordable continuing education for LMHCs:

• Podcasts and webinars (e.g., The Thoughtful Counselor)
• Industry publications (e.g., Journal of Mental Health Counseling and The Professional Counselor)
• Nonprofit organizations (e.g., Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• Community-based programs

Conclusion

Continuing education for LMHCs is crucial for license renewal purposes. Furthermore, it’s crucial for personal and professional development. With the mental health counseling field in constant flux, staying updated means being the best professional you can be.

As an LMHC, you must embrace an attitude of lifelong learning. Your willingness and readiness to learn more, learn from others, and learn every day are crucial for success. Keep in mind, too, that the wellness, perhaps even the lives of your clients, rests in your capable hands.