Counseling
Helping Those With Addiction as a Substance Abuse Counselor
Discover how substance abuse counselors help those recovering from addiction. Learn how to become an addiction counselor.
About Saybrook's Online Master's in Counseling Program
Do you want to put your compassion to work facilitating the healing journeys of others?
To learn to do this effectively, we offer a training program that aligns with national training standards for the master’s in counseling program.
Saybrook’s hybrid online M.A. in Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation ensures that the content and quality of our program have been evaluated and meet standards set by the profession. As a graduate, you will be equipped with the clinical skills, theoretical grounding, and ethical foundation needed for competent practice and to pursue licensure as an LPC, LPCC, or LMHC.
Through a hybrid-online learning format that includes 700 hours of field experience, our clinical mental health counseling master's program will prepare you for career opportunities across the broad field of clinical mental health counseling.
You will graduate equipped to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), depending on your state.
Guided by faculty with years of experience in the field, you can complete the M.A. in Counseling program without relocating. In this low-residency program, you will become part of a cohort, interacting online and meeting at the beginning of each semester while attending Residential Learning Experiences.
This cohort model mirrors the collaborative nature of clinical practice, helping you build real professional relationships from day one.
The Counseling Department has adopted a set of professional and personal qualities all students and faculty are expected to demonstrate. These qualities are directly linked to the mission and core values of Saybrook University and inform the related program objectives. The Master's in Counseling program learning outcomes were born directly out of the department’s core values. All members of the counseling community are expected to embody these qualities inside and outside of courses to the greatest extent possible. Upon completion of the counseling programs, students will demonstrate the associated learning outcomes.
Learn more about our M.A. in Counseling program outcomes by reviewing our Student Handbook or Annual Assessment Reports:
- 2024-2025 Annual Assessment Report
- 2023-2024 Annual Assessment Report
- 2022-2023 Annual Assessment Report
- 2021-2022 Annual Assessment Report
As a graduate from this counseling program, you will have satisfied course requirements to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Different states have different licensing requirements, and we will work with you from the very beginning to help you qualify for licensure in the state where you wish to practice. Learn more about the program’s alignment with state professional licensure requirements.
Annual Program Related Student Outcomes
The Counseling Department is pleased to share the following student outcomes, to both meet ongoing CACREP requirements and to share the success of our graduates. 2024-2025 (summer 2024, fall 2024, spring 2025)
- 100% of graduates who took the exam in this window passed the exam on the first attempt (3 out of 3) *as reported by NBCC
- 0% of graduates did not pass the exam on first attempt *as reported by NBCC
Number of graduates:
- 32 students graduated during the 2024-2025 academic year, representing a 90% completion rate.
Job Placement Rates: This data is based on a 42% response rate to the survey. Six out of 14 students responded to the most recent survey (summer 2022). Data will be collected again in fall 2025.
- 82% are employed within the mental health field
- 16% are currently seeking a position
Other Counseling Programs
Interested in advancing toward a counseling doctoral program? We offer an additional counseling program that may align more closely with your goals.Â
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization Job Outcomes
Graduates of Saybrook’s CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling program are prepared for a wide range of clinical and community-based roles. Below are the most common career paths pursued by alumni.
| Career / Role | Common Work Settings |
|---|---|
| Mental health counselor | Private practice, community mental health centers, hospitals |
| Counseling program coordinator | Nonprofit organizations, behavioral health systems, VA centers |
| Crisis intervention counselor | Crisis hotlines, emergency departments, and community agencies |
| School counselor | K-12 public and private schools (may require state credential) |
| Substance abuse counselor | Rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, outpatient programs |
| Rehabilitation counselor | Vocational rehab agencies, disability services, and hospitals |
Program Components
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for the M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization degree must submit the following documents: Â
- Application for admissions
- An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion of a bachelor’s degree, with a 3.0 GPA or better
- Professional resume or CV
- Personal statement
- One letter of recommendation from a professional referenceÂ
Invest in Your Future
Saybrook University remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
Cost
Saybrook wants you to have the information you need to make an informed decision about your academic and career aspirations. Our cost calculator provides an estimated cost of attending Saybrook to earn your master's degree in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization degree. Â
FAQs
What are common clinical mental health counseling careers?
Saybrook's M.A. in Counseling qualifies graduates to pursue licensure to join careers as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
What is the job outlook for counseling professionals?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19% job growth for mental health and substance abuse counselors through 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Demand is driven by expanded access to mental health care through telehealth, mental health parity legislation, and growing recognition of behavioral health needs in schools, workplaces, and community settings.
How much do counselors make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned a median annual wage of $53,710 in 2023, with the top 10% earning over $97,000. Salaries vary significantly by licensure type, specialization, geographic region, and work setting.
Licensed counselors in private practice or telehealth settings often earn at the higher end of this range.
Is Saybrook's master's in counseling CACREP-accredited?
Yes. Saybrook University's M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
CACREP accreditation is recognized by state licensing boards across the U.S. and is often required to sit for the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program strengthens your licensure application in most states.
Can I complete the master's in counseling program fully online?
Saybrook's M.A. in Counseling is a hybrid online program. All coursework is completed online, making it ideal for working adults and students who cannot relocate. The program includes two five-day in-person Residential Learning Experiences (RLEs) per year, held in California at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
These on-campus intensives are a core part of Saybrook's community-based learning model and cannot be waived.
How long does it take to complete a master's in counseling at Saybrook?
The M.A. in Counseling program is designed to be completed in three years with full-time study. The program requires 60 credit hours, including 700 hours of supervised field experience completed through two internship courses.
Some students may take longer depending on their pace, life circumstances, or state-specific field placement requirements.
What licensure will I be eligible for after graduating?
Upon completing Saybrook's master's in counseling, you will have satisfied the educational course requirements to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), depending on the state in which you plan to practice.
Note that most states also require post-graduate supervised clinical hours (typically 2,000–4,000 hours) before you can sit for the licensure examination. Saybrook's Counseling Department will help you identify your state's specific requirements from the start of your program.
What is the difference between the M.A. in Counseling and a clinical psychology program?
A master's in counseling (especially a CACREP-accredited program) prepares graduates to become licensed professional counselors (LPC, LPCC, or LMHC) who provide mental health therapy in outpatient, community, school, and private practice settings.
A clinical psychology doctoral program (such as Saybrook's Ph.D. in Humanistic Clinical Psychology) prepares graduates for a broader range of roles, including psychological assessment, research, and, in some states, prescriptive authority. Counseling master's programs typically take two to three years, while doctoral programs take four to seven years.
What are the admission requirements for Saybrook's counseling program?
Applicants to the M.A. in Counseling must submit:
- a completed application for admission,
- official transcripts from an accredited institution showing completion of a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher,
- a professional resume or CV,
- a personal statement, and
- one letter of recommendation from a professional reference.
GRE scores are not required. Saybrook accepts applications on a rolling basis for the summer and fall semesters.
Sample Courses
Basic Counseling Skills
This three-credit course develops foundational clinical skills for professional work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. The course integrates humanistic theories and techniques with an emphasis on self-exploration to cultivate the professional development of the counselor and psychotherapist. The course introduces foundations in clinical theory including stages of therapy, diagnostic assessment, and therapeutic intervention.
Cultural Humility and Responsiveness
This three-credit course explores psychological approaches in social constructs and emphasizes the following factors in individual and family development: language, acculturation, economics, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, sociopolitical factors, child-rearing practices, family structure, religious traditions, cultural values, and attitudes. The course focuses on clinical issues of cultural competence in the context of ethics, laws, and regulations that define cultural awareness in counseling and psychotherapy.
Internship 1
This three-credit internship is designed to provide students with a model for approaching crisis and critical issues in clinical work, while also providing an arena in which to compare and contrast field placement experiences with other students. Internship 1 focuses on professional development important in issues of cultural and spiritual diversity. Students develop case formulations to recognize issues in assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis, and review treatment models, interventions, and therapeutic outcomes.
Counseling Theories
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the major theoretical frameworks that guide professional counseling practice, with particular attention to humanistic and existential approaches central to Saybrook's philosophy. Students examine how theoretical orientation informs case conceptualization, the therapeutic relationship, and clinical decision-making. The course challenges students to begin developing their own integrated theoretical identity as a counselor, which serves as a cornerstone of Saybrook's developmental approach to training.
Psychopathology & Diagnosis
This course introduces students to the DSM diagnostic framework and its clinical application within a humanistic context. Students learn to assess, conceptualize, and respond to a broad range of mental health presentations across the lifespan, while critically examining the cultural, social, and systemic factors that shape how psychological distress is defined and treated. The course reflects Saybrook's commitment to seeing the whole person rather than just a diagnosis.
Group Counseling & Psychotherapy
This course examines the theory and practice of group work in clinical mental health settings. Students explore group dynamics, stages of group development, and facilitation techniques through both didactic instruction and experiential learning. Grounded in humanistic principles, the course prepares students to lead psychoeducational, process, and support groups across a range of community and clinical settings. These are skills directly required for CACREP certification and professional practice.
Catalog
Please refer to our academic catalog for more information on the M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization program.
Career Outcomes
Saybrook University’s Master’s Degree in Counseling prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand clinical mental health counseling careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with the M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization program.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this counseling master’s program*. Saybrook University is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions specialist.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics annual data update
Ă—
University Learning Experience
Our M.A. in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization program is a hybrid online program. Coursework is completed online and augmented with two five-day, in-person Residential Learning Experiences (RLE) per year. RLEs occur at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters in California. Every odd-numbered year, the RLE takes place during a larger Community Learning Experience (CLE), encouraging interaction with the larger Saybrook community. In this program, you will begin your studies with a virtual Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a program orientation, are held online during the week before the start of fall and spring semesters.
Counseling Faculty
Saybrook’s Counseling faculty are practitioner-scholars dedicated to advancing their field through continued practice and comprehensive instruction. Meet some of our faculty members below.
Program Director, Counselor Education and Supervision
- Program Director, Saybrook University
- Former Master’s and Doctorate Professor, Minnesota State University
- Active Member, American Counseling Association and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
UNBOUND: Counseling
Empower individuals to overcome challenges, achieve personal growth, prevent mental health crises through interventions, and contribute to healthier communities through essential counseling work.Â
Career Resources
A Guide to Hospice Care Jobs
Where compassion meets clinical expertise in health care lies a profound calling: end-of-life care careers, one of which includes the field of hospice.
Career Resources
A Look Into Thanatology: How Professionals Help Individuals Cope With Death, Dying, and Grief
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Submit an inquiry and one of our admissions specialists will connect with you to answer your questions and guide you through next steps.