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- What are some mental health career pathways we can consider?
- Are there any careers in mental health without a degree?
- What are the different types of psychologists one could be?
- What are some mental health counselor careers in psychology?
- Are there rewarding careers in the mental health field?
Mental Health Career Pathways
Mental health careers generally require some background or knowledge in psychology.
Psychology is the study of mind and behavior using scientific investigation.
So what are the various mental health career pathways a person must consider when deciding to pursue a career in this field? Well, there are several different options, most of which require specific education. This could mean going to college, but not always. Other options, such as certificates and licensures, could also allow a person to start a mental health career.
Later, we'll discuss what type of mental health careers are possible without college.
Mental Health Careers: Undergraduate Level
There are several different degree levels you can pursue if you are considering a mental health career. Colleges and universities often offer these degrees in their Arts & Sciences departments, but they may also be in the Sciences department.
Associate's degree: often a two-year, undergraduate-level program designed to prepare students with basic skills and knowledge to find employment or continue their studies.
Getting an associate's degree can be a great place to start if you are not sure what you want to study but are drawn to a career in mental health. An associate's degree doesn't always have to lead to more school. There are still several mental health careers that only require an associate's degree.
Bachelor's degree: an undergraduate academic level program often lasting between 3-6 years that colleges or universities award.
Obtaining a bachelor's degree in psychology can lead to several possible mental health careers. While you do not need an associate's degree to get a bachelor's degree, a bachelor's degree is required to obtain any other higher education degree.
Fig. 1 Some mental health careers require a degree, while others do not.
Mental Health Careers: Graduate Level
If you want to pursue a more specialized mental health career, it may be good to consider taking your studies to the graduate level.
Master's degree: a postgraduate academic program awarded by a college or university for advanced expertise in a specific field of study.
If you want to specialize in a specific field in psychology, a master's degree may be the pathway you want to take. To obtain a master's degree, you must first complete a bachelor's degree, usually in a related field but not always.
Doctoral degree: the highest and most advanced collegiate degree that can be attained in any given field of study.
You may achieve either a professional doctorate which centers heavily around the application of knowledge, or a PhD (or PsyD in some cases in psychology), which centers heavily around research.
Careers in Mental Health Without a Degree
As we've mentioned, not all mental health careers require a degree. College may not be for everyone, but there are still plenty of opportunities to gain the knowledge and experience required to start a mental health career. Here is a list of mental health careers that may not require a degree.
Teaching Assistant.
Health Educator.
Psychiatric Technicians.
Home Health Aides.
Counselling Assistants.
Social and Human Service Assistants.
Community Health Worker.
Peer Support Counselor.
Social Services Assistant.
Substance Abuse Counselor.
Types of Psychologists
Psychologists in the mental health field may have a variety of focuses. They often work in academics, business settings, and practice.
Practicing psychologists: psychologists who conduct assessments, diagnose, and treat patients with mental health challenges.
This section will explore the different types of psychologists in mental health careers.
| Types of Psychologists | Description | Required Education | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologists | Treat psychological disorders and provide therapy. May also engage in assessment, teaching, research, and consulting. | Requires a PhD. or PsyD. | Mental health service organizations, universities, schools, medical systems, nonprofit organizations, and military services. |
| Cognitive Psychologists | Study mental processes such as attention, language, perception, memory, problem-solving, intelligence, and decision-making. | Masters Degree + | Professor, human factors specialist, education, professor, consulting. |
| Developmental Psychologists | Studies age-related changes in behavior across a lifespan with a focus on biological, cognitive, social, and psychological aspects. | Masters Degree + | Educational psychology, child psychopathology, school psychology, public policy, gerontology. |
| Educational Psychologists | Study the psychological processes of learning as well as develop strategies to enhance learning. | Masters Degree + | Design effective tests, basic research, employee training programs, school or government agency. |
| Experimental Psychologists | Focus on how individuals interact with their natural environments and how we are influenced and affected by them. | Master's Degree + | Wildlife conservation, sustainable lifestyle choices, consulting, nonprofit sector, academic settings. |
| Environmental Psychologists | Scientists who study behavioral processes of both humans and animals. Focus is often on learning, motivation, comparative methods of science, perception, and language. Subfields in psychology rely on environmental psychology to conduct studies. | Masters degree + | Teach courses, supervise students' research; employed by zoos, businesses, research institutions, or government agency |
| Neuropsychologists | Study the interaction between neurological processes and behavior. Assess, treat, and diagnose disorders in the central nervous system (i.e. Alzheimer's disease). | Requires a PhD. or PsyD | Conduct research, teach, hospital neurology, neurosurgery, or psychiatric unit. |
Mental Health Counselor Careers in Psychology
Are you a people person? Do you love listening to your friends and offering advice and support? If so, it may be worth looking into mental health counselor careers in psychology.
Counseling psychologists support people looking to make changes in lifestyle or adjust to challenging life transitions.
Counseling psychologists are similar to clinical psychologists but do not require a doctorate degree and do not treat severe cases of psychopathology. Typically, counseling psychologists conduct therapy to help a client's maladjustment, distress, crisis resolution, and improve overall functioning in life.
There are several types of counseling a counseling psychologist may offer including:
- Individual counseling (including child/teen counseling).
- Group counseling.
- Family counseling.
- Marriage/couple counseling.
If you were to become a counseling psychologist, you would focus on supporting and encouraging your clients' strengths and helping them develop coping skills. To practice independently, you would be required to obtain a state license allowing you to offer counseling services.
Fig. 2 Psychologists can specialize in different types of counseling, e.g. marriage counseling.
Rewarding Careers in the Mental Health Field
Some of the most rewarding careers in the mental health field can be challenging and even emotionally draining.
Listening to clients share their deepest troubles can become burdensome. Seeing the destruction that addiction can cause in a person's life can wear a person down.
But at the end of the day, mental health careers can help a person have a sense of purpose -- like they are making a difference. Additionally, even beyond any formal education, having a career in mental health can teach you a lot about yourself. Some of the most rewarding mental health careers include:
Social worker.
Substance abuse counselor/nurse.
Career counselor.
Special education teacher.
Art and music therapists.
Psychiatric technician.
Careers in Treating Psychological Disorders - Key takeaways
- There are several different mental health career pathways one can take, most of which require some education. This could mean going to college, but not always. Other options, such as certificates and licensures, could also allow a person to start a mental health career.
- College may not be for everyone, but there are still plenty of opportunities to gain the knowledge and experience required to start a mental health career. Thus, careers in mental health without a degree are a possibility.
- Different types of psychologists can work in mental health or in academics, business settings, and practice.
- Counseling psychologists support people looking to make changes in lifestyle or adjust to challenging life transitions. Counseling psychologists are similar to clinical psychologists but do not require a doctorate and do not treat severe cases of psychopathology.
- Counseling psychologists are similar to clinical psychologists but do not require a doctorate degree and do not treat severe cases of psychopathology. But at the end of the day, mental health careers can help a person have a sense of purpose -- like they are making a difference.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Mental Health Careers
What careers are in mental health?
Careers in mental health include:
- Counseling psychologist.
- Developmental psychologist.
- Educational psychologist.
- Clinical psychologist.
- Experimental psychologist.
- Neuropsychologist.
What is the best job in the mental health field?
A high rewarding career in the mental health field is becoming a psychiatrist.
What jobs are good for someone who is passionate about mental health?
Some rewarding careers in the mental health field are:
Social worker.
Substance abuse counselor/nurse.
Career counselor.
Special education teacher.
Art and music therapists.
Psychiatric technician.
How to get a job in mental health with no experience?
You can get a job in mental health with no experience by getting a degree or a certificate and looking for entry-level jobs such as:
Teaching Assistant.
Health Educator.
Psychiatric Technicians.
Home Health Aides.
Counselling Assistants.
Social and Human Service Assistants.
Community Health Worker.
Peer Support Counselor.
What are the four types of mental health professionals?
There are several types of psychologists and some examples are:
- Psychiatrists.
- Clinical psychologist.
- Counselors.
- Psychiatric social workers.
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