M.S. in Mental Health Counseling

Mental Health Counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote positive overall mental health. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, mental and emotional health issues, and relationship problems. In addition, mental health counselors are involved in community outreach, advocacy, and mediation activities. The field of counseling includes knowledge and awareness of social justice, trauma, racial trauma, and inclusivity. Mental health counselors work in community health and social service organizations, day treatment programs, outpatient mental health clinics, hospitals, or private and group practices. Mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide a full range of services including assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, treatment planning and utilization review, brief and solution-focused therapy, alcoholism and substance abuse treatment, psycho-educational and prevention programs, and crisis management. The 60-credit M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program lays the groundwork for aspiring counselors to begin work in a highly competitive and rewarding field helping clients. This graduate program provides students with core knowledge to be effective helpers in a variety of clinical settings. This graduate program is registered with New York State Education Department (NYSED) and satisfies the educational requirements for the New York State Mental Health Counselors License. Upon completion of educational requirements, 3,000 hours of supervised experience in the practice of mental health counseling and a passing grade on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination are required for licensure.