Blog Update on September 24, 2025.

There’s never been a greater need for qualified mental health care. According to Mental Health America’s 2024 report, The State of Mental Health in America, more than 1 in 5 adults — almost 60 million people — experienced mental illness in the previous year. After being diagnosed with a mental health disorder, they need caring and professional experts to help them manage symptoms and improve their well-being and quality of life.

Mental health is a challenge for many Americans, with 29% of adults reporting a depression diagnosis at least once in their lives. Additionally, 5% of adults and 13% of youth reported having suicidal thoughts. Left untreated, these and other mental health conditions can be damaging and far-reaching.

However, there’s a growing understanding of the importance of treating these conditions, reducing harm, and even helping individuals to thrive. Clinical mental health counselors are at the core of this effort, providing invaluable help to those who need it most. It can be a rewarding career for those equipped with an advanced degree in mental health counseling. However, what does a clinical mental health counselor do?

What Is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor?

According to the American Counseling Association, “Professional counselors help people gain personal insights, develop strategies, and come up with real solutions to the problems and challenges we all face in every area of life.” While there are many effective types of counseling, clinical mental health counselors are specifically focused on psychopathology, including diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.

Clinical mental health counselors assist their clients using several techniques designed to support mental, emotional, and behavioral health. As licensed professionals, they’re uniquely suited to help their clients overcome challenges and develop skills that assist their personal growth.

Mental health counselors take on many roles, from offering therapeutic intervention directly to clients to advocating on their behalf to health care professionals and insurance companies. Counselors may also be tasked with communicating with families, courts, and law enforcement officials on behalf of their clients.

Because of the diversity of client needs within this profession, counselors must demonstrate critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of psychotherapy practices. For those who want to pursue careers as licensed clinical mental health counselors, a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling offers practical training and foundational education that equips them to serve clients and communities well.

What is the Role of a CMHC??

Throughout the history of mental health counseling, clinical mental health counselors have helped people in many different settings and through many different methods. There’s never been a more urgent need for counselors to join the workforce in various capacities. In a recent survey, 24.58% of adults who experienced 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month reported that they couldn’t find the treatment they needed. Additionally, 77% of adults dealing with a substance use disorder in the past year went without treatment. Simply put, clinical mental health counselors do many things, and there’s a dire need for all of them. 

Treat Mental Health Issues

From generalized anxiety to substance abuse to depression to OCD, clinical mental health counselors treat clients for mental health disorders. Treatment can occur in individual, family, and group settings. It can involve different therapeutic techniques depending on the individual’s needs and the counselor’s expertise.

Support Individuals During Times of Transition

Even if someone isn’t dealing with a mental health condition, times of change, loss, or transition can prompt them to seek professional help. Clinical mental health counselors provide clients with support and opportunities for reflective growth when life feels uncertain or difficult.

Study How People Relate to One Another

Relational issues drive many people into a counseling office for the first time. Through studying interpersonal dynamics, clinical mental health counselors can educate their clients, providing them with skills for managing conflict, setting boundaries, and healing from relational trauma.

Advocate for Positive Environmental, Social, and Occupational Changes for Mental Health

Clinical mental health counselors can sometimes be found in the public sphere, working with local and state officials to create policies that benefit their communities. They also guide individuals through necessary changes that can positively affect their mental health.

Respond to Clients in Distress

Most clinical mental health counselors respond to urgent situations, from clients who’ve had a traumatic experience to those experiencing depressive episodes. Sometimes counselors go to hospitals, prisons, or courtrooms to advocate for their clients. Counselors are also involved in crisis response for events ranging from natural disasters to community trauma.

Essential Skills for Clinical Mental Health Counselors

Clinical mental health counselors continue their training and education beyond their degree. They’re consistently learning and growing to help support the clients they work with. Some of the skills they can cultivate include: 

• Communication. Counselors should know how to share potentially complex information, how to ask good questions, and practice good listening skills.
• Empathy. Mental health professionals need to balance professional boundaries and empathy. This includes knowing how to separate their personal lives from the difficult circumstances and stories they often face at work.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking. Each new client brings a new situation with unique challenges and treatment opportunities, and counselors should use their skills to know how to best treat them. 

Effective counselors cultivate the proper dispositions for therapeutic settings. Qualities such as emotional stability, self-awareness, cooperativeness and professionalism, openness and flexibility, and cultural sensitivity help counselors serve clients in many situations. They also help them meet the demands of the job and enjoy success in their careers.

Types of Clients Clinical Mental Health Counselors Support

What clinical mental health counselors do can vary based on the many specialized populations they serve and the titles they hold. With a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, you can seek positions such as group counselor, clinical director and Child and family therapist. Additionally, clinical mental health counselors support a variety of clients, including:

Clients Who Are Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers mental health services to more than 1.7 million veterans annually, according to the organization’s most recent data. Through this program, veterans are treated for PTSD, grief, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.

Clinical mental health professionals can offer counseling services to veterans in person at VA facilities and online through the VA’s telehealth program. People who’ve served, particularly in active duty, often need support to process the difficult scenes and situations they’ve experienced, and serving this population is a rewarding experience for many counselors. 

Clients With PTSD

PTSD affects 6 out of 100 people at some point in their lives. This condition develops after a dangerous or scary event. PTSD symptoms are complex, and they often require professional treatment to overcome. Clinical mental health counselors employ various therapeutic techniques to help clients heal from traumatic events and live in the present instead of reliving the past.

Clients With Substance Use Disorders

The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 48.4 million people over age 12 had experienced substance use disorder in the previous year. From hourly counseling sessions to inpatient treatment and advocacy in the judicial systems, there are many ways for clinical mental health counselors to support this population. Clients dealing with addiction often need ongoing treatment and care to help them overcome this challenge and thrive in life.

Clients With Depression and Other Diagnosed Disorders

Depression and anxiety are central issues in our nation’s mental health crisis. Rates are on the rise for both of these disorders, and therapeutic work is often a core part of treatment. Clinical mental health counselors can diagnose and treat depression, anxiety, and other conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, and mood and eating disorders. They’re well-equipped to serve individuals dealing with these challenges, providing tools to help them navigate their mental and emotional health.

Clinical Mental Health Counselor Work Environments

Mental health professionals play a vital role in helping people find hope and build resilience. Clinical mental health counselors do this in a wide range of work environments.

Hospitals

Mental health is inextricably linked to overall health. Hospitals employ counselors to maintain the mind-body connection of each patient. A mental health counselor is also needed during emergencies and life-threatening situations.

Working as a mental health counselor in a hospital is rewarding but challenging work. Differences in treatment programs and types of hospitals can impact the course of your career.

Behavioral health departments in hospitals typically focus on treating people in both inpatient and outpatient settings. An inpatient program requires patients to stay for more than one day to deal with urgent or complex health concerns. Outpatient behavioral programs include therapy sessions and drug treatments that don’t require overnight stays.

Universities

University students encounter stressful environments from their first days on campus. According to a report by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34. The report also listed suicide as the eleventh-leading cause of death in the country, with more than 49,000 people dying by suicide in 2023.

You can find rewarding work as a mental health counselor in a university clinic or health center. In addition to helping students deal with depression, anxiety, and other disorders, those in the role typically get involved with campus outreach and education programs. In some cases, this can lead to them getting involved with academic research or teaching. 

Public Service

State and federal agencies employ counselors to help those not served by the private sector.

A mental health counselor working for a government agency tends to work in a specialized area. The VA is a good example of this type of work. State agencies also deploy counselors in educational and hospital environments. Therapists who specialize in developmental disabilities and educational psychology work for state education departments. A mental health counselor can also work on substance use, suicide prevention, and other programs for a state health department.

Private Practice

Private practice ranges from a single counselor to a group of multiple counselors with varying specialties. Popular culture envisions a mental health counselor often working in private practice.

According to a 2024 report from the American Psychological Association, 68% of psychologists work in private practice settings. While a popular option, private practice is an adjustment for any counselor who has worked in other environments. A mental health counselor in private practice balances the health of their business with counseling work.

Virtual Settings

Advances in videoconferencing and internet connectivity bring counseling services to homes around the world. The next generation of mental health counselor positions will likely involve at least some sessions held via video calls. Counselors can also work for online providers such as BetterHelp or Talkspace.

Earn Your Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

While what a clinical mental health counselor does can be varied and multifaceted, they all share a common goal of helping people. If you’re passionate about serving your community by becoming a mental health care professional, consider earning your online Master of Science in Education (MSED) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This graduate degree program will prepare you for your licensure exam and train you to begin or continue your counseling career as a skilled and empathetic professional.

If you’re looking for a qualified, flexible, and affordable program, St. Bonaventure University’s online MSED in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a good fit. As a student, you’ll learn from experienced faculty members through live videos, demonstrations, and interactive activities designed to help you excel in your counseling career.

St. Bonaventure’s CACREP-accredited counseling master’s degree program offers the flexibility you need to fit your life. You’ll gain hands-on experience; receive one-on-one access to faculty; and enjoy dedicated support throughout the program, including assistance with securing your internship placement site.

Your coursework is thoughtfully designed to help you succeed in many counseling settings. With classes that educate you on everything from psychopathology to best business practices, you’ll be fully equipped to sit for your licensure exam and serve your community.

Learn more about the online MSED in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at St. Bonvanture University and start your counseling career today.

Learn More About SBU’s Online Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling