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What are the Different Specializations in Counseling?

Quick Highlights:

  • Counseling is a field which offers many different areas of specialization.
  • Some specializations require advanced degrees (master’s or doctoral) and specific coursework related to the chosen field.
  • Specializations may require a specific license which vary by state and require meeting set educational and practicum hours.
  • Consider the job outlook and potential earnings for each specialization, as some areas like substance abuse counseling are expected to grow significantly.

Table of contents

If you are planning on going back to school, it’s important to research different types of counseling degrees before you enroll in a program. For example, you may want to pursue mental health counseling specialties, like a substance abuse counseling degree. 

These counseling specializations have additional coursework, so you can learn about specific types of counseling. Depending on your state and specialty, different degree types may lead to a unique type of counseling license. There is a growing demand for specialized counselors, so take some time to find a specialization based on your own interests and career goals. Whether you want to pursue school counseling careers or jobs in family counseling, there are many options you can choose from. 

Related:

Overview of Counseling Specializations 

Counseling specializations are specific types of counseling degrees. They basically allow you to have a narrower focus. Normally, people pick these specializations because they want to pursue set counseling career paths. 

These kinds of counseling degree options are only available during a master’s degree or doctoral degree. In general, you won’t be able to specialize in different types of counseling degrees until you have completed at least a bachelor’s degree. If you are unsure about choosing a counseling specialization, you can always apply for general graduate counseling programs and not worry about specializing in a specific subtopic. 

Key Specializations in Counseling 

Each school is different, so you will likely find a range of mental health counseling specialties. However, only some of these counseling fields are recognized by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, the CACREP has specific course requirements for different types of counseling specializations to get certified. 

School Counseling 

In school counseling careers, you can help students develop their academic skills. These counselors work in a school environment, such as an elementary school, high school, or college. Depending on where they work, they may serve primarily as academic counselors or therapeutic counselors. 

For example, school counselors in an elementary school may create individualized education plans for students who are having trouble in school. In a high school setting, school counselors may support students as they decide on the next step in their academic career. 

Mental Health Counseling 

When people hear someone discussing counseling fields, they often think about mental health counseling specialties. With clinical counseling tracks, you can work with people who have different mental and emotional disorders. You can help clients improve their mental well-being through diagnosing and treating the problem. Often, you will work with other health professionals, like doctors, to treat mental disorders. 

Once you are hired in mental health counseling specialties, you will typically work in a treatment center or community-based mental health center. Sometimes, mental health counselors start their own private practices or work in hospitals. In the United States, a mental health counselor earns a median salary of $51,240 per year according to US News. 

Substance Abuse Counseling 

Another one of the most popular counseling specializations is a substance abuse counseling degree. In addiction counseling programs, you will work with clients who suffer from substance use disorders. Some of your clients may even be getting court-ordered treatment after having legal difficulties because of their addiction. 

With addiction counseling programs, you can work in a variety of different settings. Many of these counselors are hired by hospitals or addiction treatment centers. You may also work in health clinics. Once you have a substance abuse counseling degree, you may provide group or individual therapy to your patients. Because addictions have such a high relapse rate, this can be an incredibly challenging and rewarding field to work in. 

Marriage and Family Therapy 

Marriage and family therapy programs are another type of counseling you can specialize in. Graduates of these programs work with couples and families about problems related to marriage and families. For example, they may help people with eating disorders, relationship issues, mental illnesses, and communication problems. 

If you work as a marriage and family therapist, you may be employed in a community mental health center or social service agency. You could also be hired in a private practice or inpatient facility. 

Career Counseling 

Once you receive a career counseling certification, you can work in many different environments. For example, you may be employed in a career resource center in the community or at your local university. Career counselors often work in private practice and employee assistance programs. 

As a career counselor, your job is to help clients make important decisions about their career path. You may help them look at their personal interests, skills, and personality. Then, you can use that information to help them find educational paths and careers that suit their abilities. 

Rehabilitation Counseling 

By pursuing counseling psychology specialties in rehabilitation counseling, you can help your clients manage disabilities. For example, you may help clients who have physical, mental, cognitive, or sensory disabilities. During their treatment, you may help them with these disabilities and co-occurring disorders. 

As a rehabilitation counselor, you may assess and diagnose patients with different disabilities. Then, you may treat them or refer them to a different provider. Once you have completed these types of counseling degrees, you may end up working in substance treatment facilities, schools, treatment centers, or hospitals. In addition to working in private practice, you may also work in community-based mental health centers. 

Education and Certification Requirements 

Depending on the types of counseling specializations you choose, your education and certification requirements can vary. Typically, you will be expected to get a master’s degree in counseling in order to get your counseling license. You will also have to complete a set amount of supervised practicum hours. Most states require around 3,000 hours of supervised work before you can get your license.  

However, the requirements can vary based on the types of counseling degrees and jobs you want. For example, school counseling careers will typically require you to get a master’s degree in school counseling. Meanwhile, mental health counseling specialties generally entail a basic master’s degree in counseling. Because each state has different requirements, it is important to look up the specific requirements in your state before you enroll in a graduate program. 

Choosing the Right Specialization

The best counseling specializations will vary based on your personal interests and career opportunities. When you consider different counseling degree options, you should think about how these degrees align with your career goals.

Factors to Consider 

When picking different types of counseling degrees, you should start by considering your personal interests. Think about your experiences in life and the type of problems you want to help. You may want to make an impact on a set problem or with a certain population of people. 

Career Goals Alignment 

Next, think about the way various counseling specializations align with your career goals. If you are interested in school counseling careers, you probably don’t want to get a substance abuse counseling degree. Likewise, you don’t need to get a school counseling degree if you care deeply about marriage and family counseling. 

Eventually, you will have to pay back any student loans you take out. Because of this, it is important to think about the financial impact of your degree choice. You need to consider how much you will earn and if there are jobs available in the specialty you want. If the job outlook is poor for your counseling specialty, you may need to move to a different city or choose a different specialization if you want to be employed after graduation.

Career Opportunities for Each Specialization

The field of substance abuse, mental health, and behavioral disorder counselors is supposed to grow by 18% between 2022 and 2032. Meanwhile, roles as school counselors are only expected to increase by 5% during the same period. This means that there will be about 26,600 openings in school counseling each year. 

It is important to look at the overall job trend for the graduate counseling programs you want to pursue. If there aren’t jobs available in your specialization, you won’t be able to fulfill your dreams of becoming a counselor. Fortunately, most counseling-related fields have at least average job growth. 

For specific types of counseling, you may need to move to a different area. Many clinical mental health counselors work in clinic and hospital settings. To get hired in these fields, you must live near medical clinics and hospitals. 

In more recent years, there has been a trend toward online counseling appointments. If you live in a rural area, you may be able to start working as a counselor online as you build up a private practice. 

Discover How to Become a Mental Health Counselor 

Whether you are searching for school counseling careers or mental health counseling specialties, there are many types of counseling degrees you can choose from. Different counseling specializations can end up leading to specific licenses and career tracks. 

Because of this, it is important to consider the type of counseling job you want before you enroll in a college program. By researching different educational paths before you enroll, you can make an informed decision about your future career.