What they do
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.
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Also called: |
Behavior Analyst, Behavior Support Specialist (BSS), Case Manager, Clinician, Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Mental Health Counselor, Mental Health Program Specialist, Mental Health Specialist, Mental Health Therapist
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Wages
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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors* |
Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 21.61 |
$44,960 |
25% |
$ 23.23 |
$48,330 |
Median |
$ 27.39 |
$56,980 |
75% |
$ 30.38 |
$63,190 |
90% |
$ 37.40 |
$77,800 |
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Average |
$ 28.31 |
$58,880 |
* You're seeing information for "Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors" because it includes "Mental Health Counselors" for which wage information is not available. |
1 What are Percentile Wages? |
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Industries of Employment
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors* |
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Ambulatory healthcare services
| 33% |
| 17% |
- Nursing and residential care facilities
| 13% |
- Hospitals; state, local, and private
| 10% |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 7% |
* You're seeing information for "Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors" because it includes "Mental Health Counselors" for which industries of employment information is not available. |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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- Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
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- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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- Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
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- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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- Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
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- Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
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- Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
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- Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
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- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors* |
Vermont |
2020 employment |
1,841 |
2030 employment |
2,239 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
2.0% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
227 |
* You're seeing information for "Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors" because it includes "Mental Health Counselors" for which projected employment information is not available. |
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Education and Experience:
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors* |
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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* You're seeing information for "Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors" because it includes "Mental Health Counselors" for which education and experience information is not available. |
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Somewhat Important
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Low | | High |
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Job Zone
Extensive Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(8.0 and above) - A typical worker will require
over 4 years up to and including 10 years or more
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 3% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 64% |
Bachelor's degree | | 25% |
Associate's degree | | 2% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 0% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 6% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
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Licensing
Vermont may require an occupational license: |
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Select a license for details |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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- Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues.
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- Complete documentation required by programs or regulations.
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- Write reports or evaluations.
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- Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
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- Teach life skills or strategies to clients or their families.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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