The online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program from Lamar University equips students with the skills, knowledge and clinical experience needed to help others navigate emotional and psychological challenges. The fully online program prepares graduates to guide people coping with substance abuse, family or relationship conflict, career stress and other concerns through evidence-based counseling techniques.
Although “mental health counselor” and “therapist” are often used interchangeably, there are meaningful distinctions between the two roles. Both roles focus on improving clients’ emotional well-being, but their education, licensure and scope of practice differ. Understanding these differences can help prospective students determine which path best aligns with their career goals.
What Does a Mental Health Counselor Do?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors help people manage conditions related to addiction, stress and emotional health. They assess client needs and develop treatment plans, providing counseling in settings such as community agencies, hospitals and private practices. Lamar University’s clinical mental health counseling program gives graduates the practical training and supervised experience necessary to support clients through recovery and growth.
Counselors often work with individuals or groups on specific issues like substance abuse or family conflict. The goal is to help clients recognize patterns, build coping strategies and make healthier decisions. As the BLS notes, the field is growing rapidly due to increasing awareness of mental health needs and the integration of behavioral health services into primary care.
What Does a Therapist Do?
Healthline explains that “therapist” is a broader term for licensed professionals trained to provide psychotherapy. Therapists can include marriage and family specialists, social workers or psychologists. Their work often explores the causes of emotional distress and long-term behavior patterns, including trauma or depression.
Psychology Today adds that therapy is typically more exploratory, focusing on understanding a client’s deeper experiences, while counseling addresses immediate challenges. The American Psychological Association explains that counseling psychologists focus on overall well-being and lifespan development, whereas clinical psychologists tend to treat individuals with more severe mental health disorders.
Education, Licensure and Training
Mental health counselors and therapists share similar commitments to ethical practice but follow distinct educational paths. Lamar University’s program prepares students for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Texas through graduate-level coursework in counseling theory, multicultural issues, ethics and assessment. Students also complete face-to-face residencies and supervised internships that develop their practical counseling abilities.
Healthline notes that counselors typically need a master’s degree in counseling and 2,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised experience before licensure. Therapists, by comparison, may hold a master’s or doctoral degree depending on their specialization and often complete additional years of supervised clinical training. SAMHSA emphasizes that all behavioral health professionals should be culturally aware and prepared to work in a range of community and healthcare settings.
Work Settings and Client Populations
Both counselors and therapists serve clients across a wide range of environments. The BLS reports that mental health counselors often work in outpatient centers, hospitals and private practices, while therapists may be employed in schools, community organizations or their own clinics. SAMHSA notes that behavioral health professionals play vital roles in prevention, crisis intervention and rehabilitation across the public and private sectors.
Client populations can include individuals recovering from addiction, families managing conflict or veterans coping with trauma. Counselors may focus on immediate needs, such as developing coping strategies, while therapists help clients explore longer-term patterns that contribute to emotional distress. Both aim to improve quality of life through sustained emotional and psychological support.
Salary and Career Outlook
According to the BLS, substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $59,190, with employment projected to grow 17 percent through 2034 — much faster than the average for all occupations. This robust growth reflects increasing public awareness of mental health issues and expanding insurance coverage for counseling services, creating strong career prospects for qualified professionals entering the field.
Psychologists, who often serve in therapist roles, earn higher median wages but face slower growth. According to the BLS, psychologists, who make up many therapist roles, earn a median annual wage of $94,310, with employment projected to grow 6 percent through 2034. SAMHSA warns that despite rising demand, workforce shortages persist nationwide, which may increase opportunities for graduates entering the field.
Choosing the Right Path
For those deciding between counseling and therapy careers, the choice often depends on personal interests and professional goals. Individuals who prefer structured, client-centered work focused on practical skill-building may be drawn to counseling. Those seeking long-term psychotherapy and diagnostic work may find a better fit in therapy or psychology. Both roles require empathy and clear communication.
Students interested in counseling can begin with Lamar University’s Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online, which prepares graduates to meet the growing need for skilled, compassionate professionals ready to make a lasting impact in their communities. With comprehensive training in evidence-based therapeutic approaches and clinical practice, graduates are positioned to pursue licensure and build rewarding careers helping individuals navigate mental health challenges.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
