Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Walden University’s M.S. in Mental Health Counseling will prepare you to address and treat clients’ mental health needs knowledgeably, ethically, and with respect for diversity. While working on your own development you gain confidence, qualifications, and critical-thinking skills needed to apply practices that lead to change. This master’s degree in counseling will allow you to use your knowledge as an accredited practicing professional.

Examine a range of topics including assessment, legal and ethical concerns, and patient intervention. This program explores counseling techniques, including substance abuse counseling and career counseling. Participate in residencies that offer collaboration opportunities with faculty, staff, and other students. Choose from five available specializations.

Specializations

• Forensic Counseling
• Trauma and Crisis Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Addiction Counseling
• Military Families & Culture

Why choose a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

Clinical mental health counselors are highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. Walden’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling programme offers practical, problem-solving approaches that facilitate a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution for clients. Every year more than 100,500 mental health counselors are certified for independent practice in the United States. Clinical mental health counselors provide a variety of services for individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children, or other members of the general population.

Clinical mental health counselors offer a full range of services, including:

• Assessment and diagnosis
• Psychotherapy
• Treatment planning
• Solution-focused counseling
• Substance abuse treatment
• Prevention programs
• Crisis management

Study outcomes

Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

Apply ethical, legal, and business practices.

Implement counseling, prevention, and intervention services.

Employ various assessment techniques to meet the needs of diverse clients.

Use research literature to assist in your practice.

Use relevant diagnostic tools

Address the social and cultural diversity issues related to the counseling process.

Apply theories of career development which affect an individual’s lifestyle.

Achieve personal growth and sustainability in the profession.

Careers

Walden’s M.S. in Clinical Mental Health prepares students for employment in a variety of fields including:

• Public and Non-Profit community mental health agencies
• Career counseling centres
• Substance abuse programs
• Counseling with youth
• Crisis counseling
• Counseling persons who have experienced domestic violence
• Hospital and treatment centres
• Criminal justice settings
• Residental treatment programs

Courses include:

• Introduction to Mental Health Counseling
• Foundations for Graduate Study in Counseling
• Lifespan Development
• Group Process and Dynamics
• Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
• Techniques in Counseling
• Research and Program Evaluation
• Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster Response
• Assessment in Counseling and Education
• Counseling Practicum
• Internship I
• Internship II
• Diagnosis and Assessment
• Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories
• Multicultural Counseling
• Couples and Family Therapy
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Psychopharmacology
• Career Counseling
• Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Admission requirements for Walden’s programs vary but generally include the following:Official transcript(s)A bachelor degree or higherApplicable test scoresCompleted online applicationEmployment historyList of transfer creditsApplicants must have successfully completed a higher education/ university-level degree or a comparable university degree. Additional academic qualifications may also be considered.Applicants who do not have graduated yet at the time of the application deadline, but who expect to graduate before the beginning of the program, can also apply for admission subject to timely graduation. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 79

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Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• Flexible study schedule
• Experienced teachers
• Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Accreditation

Walden University’s M.S. in Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Walden enrollment advisors can provide guidance on licensure issues, state- by- state educational requirements, and internship and practicum requirements; however, it remains the student’s responsibility to evaluate and understand the licensure requirements for the state or international location in which he or she intends to work as requirements vary widely. Walden University makes no representation or guarantee that the completion of a degree or coursework for graduate credit will permit the student to obtain licensure.

Professional Accreditation

Walden’s M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation attests to the quality and relevancy of our program—a program that helps provide you with the skills and credibility to maximize your impact on your profession. In addition, earning a degree that is CACREP-accredited helps to streamline the licensing application process and provides you with an advantage when applying to doctoral programs