4 Types Of Counseling And The Jobs To Pursue With an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Career paths for prospective counselors are diverse. With so many options available to students after completing their master's degree and passing licensure exams, the process can feel overwhelming. To help you choose the counseling path that best fits your goals and reduce any uncertainty, we’ve outlined four counseling specialties below, including their typical responsibilities and salary information.

Rehabilitation counseling is a specialized field dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling, productive, and independent lives by maximizing their functional abilities. Whether the disability is mental, developmental, or emotional, the primary objective of rehabilitation counseling is to facilitate the client’s achievement of an optimal level of functioning within their unique circumstances.

As a clinical rehabilitation counselor, you will work with clients who have emotional, physical, developmental, or mental disabilities and create a personal plan that fits their goals, education, and physical abilities. The age of clients can range from children to seniors marking each work environment have its own unique challenges and opportunities for professionals in this field. Professionals in this field collaborate with families, employers, and other stakeholders to create an space that fosters the optimal functioning of individuals with disabilities.

The average rehabilitation counselor’s salary in the U.S. is $46,110 annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.* The employment rate is projected to grow at about an average rate for rehab counselors.

*Data gathered in 2024.

Military counselors play a vital role in supporting active service members and veterans as they navigate the complex challenges of military life. This specialized area of trauma counseling focuses on the unique mental health needs of individuals who have served in the armed forces, as well as family members of those who have served. The scope of military counseling includes a wide range, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the everyday stressors inherent in military duty.

As a military counselor, you will design interventions that promote mental, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Counselors in this field are trained to understand the complexities of military life, including combat exposure, deployment-related stress, and the challenges of reintegrating into civilian society. This specialized training enables you to provide the most effective support to their clients. In addition to individual therapy, military counselors often facilitate group therapy sessions, creating a supportive community where service members and veterans can share their experiences and learn from one another. These group settings offer a unique opportunity for individuals to connect with peers who have faced similar challenges, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and understanding. Military counselors may work in veterans services departments in hospitals and schools, outpatient clinics, recovery centers, and on active-duty bases.

The average military life counselor’s salary in the U.S. is $53,857 annually according to the ZipRecruiter.* Depending on where professionals practice, the salary ranges from $29,000-89,000.

*Data gathered in 2026.

Substance abuse counselors work with individuals who struggle with addiction to drugs and/or alcohol and are seeking treatment, as well as with the families of those who struggle. Counselors work closely with clients to develop strategies and tools that empower them to navigate life’s stressors without resorting to substance use.

What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

As a substance abuse counselor, you will help identify problematic behaviors that may contributing contribute to addiction as well, and develop a proactive plan for coping with stress. This may involve teaching effective stress management techniques, building healthy coping mechanisms, and developing a support network that promotes positive lifestyle changes.

Substance abuse counselors work not only with the individuals seeking treatment but also with their families. By educating families about addiction, facilitating open communication, and providing guidance on how to best support their loved ones, these counselors help create a holistic and sustainable recovery environment. Group therapy is also used in substance abuse counseling to support clients in their healing journey and foster camaraderie throughout recovery. Substance abuse counselors might work in a rehabilitation center or hospital setting.

The average substance abuse counselor’s salary in the U.S. is $59,190 annually according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.* The employment rate is projected to grow within the substance abuse counseling field by 17% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average.

*Data gathered in 2024.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Clinical mental health counselors use psychotherapy and problem-solving techniques to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with mental and behavioral health concerns with the goal of improving their life quality. The clientele may include individuals, groups, couples, families, children, adolescents, military personnel, and the elderly.

What Does a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Do?

As a clinical mental health counselor, you will evaluate a client's overall health and behaviors to develop a treatment plan and establish goals for each client, maintain client document records, and support client discharge planning. With the wide range of clients treated, mental health counselors typically take a holistic approach to treatment, usually; considering the environmental and physical factors that may contribute to a client’s mental health. They may work in public schools, universities, recovery centers, and private practices.

If you're interested in this type of counseling, Saybrook University offers an M.A. in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization that can help you pursue this career path. The three-year program is hybrid online and is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This program is designed to prepare to address the urgent mental health care crisis, build the knowledge, skills, and professional preparation needed to become a clinical mental health counselor.

Clinical Mental Health Counselor Salary

The average mental health counselor's salary in the U.S. is $59,190 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.* The employment rate is projected to grow within the substance abuse counseling field by 17% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fields can you work in with a counseling degree?
As a counselor, you can choose from a variety of fields depending on your interests and preferred work setting. You might work in healthcare, in schools, or in community-based organizations. Ultimately, your career path will depend on your specializations, level of education, and your state licensure requirements.

What degrees are needed to become a counselor?
The bachelor's degrees you pursue to become a counselor will depend on your desired specialty. Common undergraduate majors in counseling include psychology, social work, and sociology. To become a licensed counselor, most states require a master's degree or a doctorate in counseling.

What licensure requirements are needed to become a counselor?
In most states, the typical requirements for counseling licensure include:

• A master's degree in counseling or a related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• A supervised clinical experience of 2,000- 3,000 hours is completed after your master's degree.
• Passing state-administered exams and national exams related to your specialization.

When planning your counseling career path, be sure to review the specific licensure requirements in your state.

Can you become a counselor with an online degree?
Yes. An online counseling degree is valid as long as it meets state licensure requirements and is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). An example of a reputable online counseling degree program is the M.A. in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization offered by Saybrook University.