The COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of unprecedented stress for individuals throughout the world. Isolation, challenges associated with remote learning or work and widespread unemployment have made recent years difficult in American history. As a result, the demand for qualified mental health professionals is higher than ever. While improvements in treatments and widespread access to vaccinations will hopefully make the COVID-19 pandemic a thing of the past, the need for well-educated, highly trained counselors will remain.
According to a recent article in CNBC, “the COVID-19 crisis has combined mental health stressors that have been studied before in other disasters, but which have never been seen consolidated in one global crisis … ” Simply put, this is an unprecedented disaster for people’s mental health. Some experts remain concerned that the feelings of anxiety and fear associated with COVID-19 may continue to plague society long after the pandemic is under control.
The following factors are among the many contributing circumstances that have increased the demand for certified counselors:
- devastating levels of unemployment
- widespread sense of individual isolation
- feelings of vulnerability
- debilitating financial strain
What Is the Professional Outlook for Counselors?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) predicts that the demand for mental health counselors will grow 25% between 2019 and 2029 — much faster than the national average for all other professions. By 2029, the BLS expects there to be an additional 79,000 certified counselors employed in the United States alone. These counselors will be employed in schools, mental health centers, prisons, non-profit organizations, private practices and community centers. Individuals who are interested in pursuing the necessary credentials to secure work as certified counselors can do so knowing that there will be abundant professional opportunities over the next decade.
What Is Required for Professional Licensure?
Each state has its own unique set of requirements individuals must meet in order to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Those seeking licensure in the state of Texas must meet the following requirements:
- completion of a master’s or doctoral degree (counseling or counseling-related field) from an accredited college or university
- completion of at least 300 hours of practicum
- passing both the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam to gain Texas LCP licensure
- completion 3,000 hours of Supervision (minimum of 18 months) with at least 1,500 hours of client contact under the direction of an approved supervisor
How Can a Certificate in Mental Health Counseling Help?
Lamar University offers a fully online Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling that students can complete in as few as 12 months. In addition to the affordable tuition and flexible schedule for the program, the “post-graduate online certificate provides the supplementary knowledge and experience needed to meet the 60-credit-hour academic requirements for the LPC exam in Texas and offers rigorous exam preparation.”
The program employs faculty members who help students develop the skills and understanding necessary to excel as mental health professionals. Graduates will need to complete the 3,000 hours of supervision, and the program certificate will put them on the fast track to a dynamic new career.
As the demand for certified mental health counselors continues to increase over the next decade, well-educated, service-minded individuals will be more important than ever. Educational experiences like the Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University let students explore advanced counseling topics and put them in prime position to dramatically impact the mental well-being of their future patients.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Program Certificate in Mental Health Counseling.
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