Jobs in the mental health field continue to expand as awareness of the importance of mental health has grown. If you are interested in sustainable mental health careers, you now have a choice between traditional jobs and remote job opportunities. This widens the range of opportunities since you are no longer restricted to finding a job within commuting distance or relocating.
Keep on top of all the latest mental health jobs with Behavioral Health Jobs. Our jobs board delivers up-to-date postings of on-location and remote job opportunities in mental health.
5 Popular Jobs in the Mental Health Field
Here are five popular jobs in the mental health field, some of which are now also offered as remote positions:
1. School Psychologist
As a school psychologist, you will meet with and observe students referred to you due to suspected learning disabilities, mental health conditions, or emotional problems that interfere with their school performance. After evaluating a student, you will develop a treatment plan that can include therapy sessions with you and referrals to other services through the school, such as occupational therapy or speech therapy.
Employers will require that you have a master’s degree in school psychology, supervised field experience, and completion of an internship.
2. Marriage and Family Therapist
Although marriage and family therapists were once limited to counseling couples and families, you may also counsel individuals in this position. This is one of those mental health careers in higher demand. Health insurance companies have started referring more people to marriage and family therapists instead of individual counseling with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Employers will require that you have a master’s degree in family and marriage therapy and are a licensed family and marriage therapist (LMFT) with two years of supervised clinical experience.
3. Mental Health Counselor
As a mental health counselor, you will help people work through their problems, whether an individual or a couple. You may work as part of a care team that includes a psychiatrist and social worker. Together, you will help diagnose and treat individuals with mental health conditions and help them find the necessary services through therapy groups and residential or outpatient treatment facilities.
Employers will require that you have a master’s degree in mental health counseling and are a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.
4. Clinical Social Worker
As a clinical social worker, you will diagnose and treat clients with mental health conditions while also serving as their advocate to secure the services they need for their health and well-being. This can include connecting them with other mental health or medical professionals and programs at behavioral health facilities.
Employers will require a master’s degree in social work and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) with three years of supervised clinical experience.
5. Child and Family Social Worker
As a child and family social worker, you will be responsible for following up on the well-being of children who have been referred due to issues with homelessness, abuse, or poverty. You may perform wellness checks at foster homes to ensure children are cared for while also conducting evaluations of families looking to foster or adopt.
Employers will require either a bachelor’s degree as a caseworker or a master’s degree in social work, depending on the work environment. You will also need to be a licensed social worker with supervised clinical experience. The amount of hours needed depends on the state in which you will be practicing.
Important Things to Consider Before Taking a Job in Mental Health
Taking a job in the mental health field is both rewarding and challenging. Before you decide to enter this career, there are a few important things to consider. Being prepared will help you to be successful and happy in your new role. First, think about why you want to work in mental health. Are you passionate about helping others? Do you have the patience and empathy needed for this type of work? It’s important to know your reasons because this job can be emotionally demanding.
Additionally, you should be aware of the skills and qualifications needed for a mental health job. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Education requirements – Many positions require a degree in psychology, social work, or a related field.
- Licensing and certification – Some jobs require specific licenses or certifications.
- Emotional resilience – Working with people who are struggling with their mental health can be stressful and sometimes upsetting.
- Communication skills – It’s important to be able to explain things clearly and listen well.
- Ongoing education – The field of mental health is always changing, so you may need to take additional courses or training throughout your career.
Finally, consider the type of setting where you want to work. Mental health professionals can work in hospitals, schools, private practices, or community centers. Each setting has its own environment and challenges. Understanding what each setting requires and what you are comfortable with will help you find the right fit for your skills and interests.
Find the Best Mental Health Jobs with Behavioral Health Jobs
Check out the jobs board on Behavioral Health Jobs for listings of the best new job opportunities in mental health. We provide postings of both standard and remote job opportunities so that you can find the right jobs in the mental health field for you.
