To be a counseling psychologist, you typically need a doctorate, though you can work in some limited capacities with a master’s degree. This would require you to be supervised by another psychologist. You must also pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and complete one or two years of supervised experience.
A clinical psychologist evaluates, recognizes, and treats emotional and mental health issues. Clinical psychologists help people resolve a variety of issues, from transient personal issues to long-term, chronic psychological issues. While counseling psychologists focus more on less severe mental health issues, clinical psychologists typically address more serious mental health issues.
13 mental health careers without a degree
If you want to work in the field of mental health but lack a degree, take a look at these 13 positions, listed in order of average salary, to help you choose which path might be best for you:
Primary responsibilities: Whether in special education settings, public schools, or private facilities, a teaching assistant frequently works with students with disabilities or those who have mental health conditions. They support student growth and individual progress for teachers, parents, students, and other school personnel. Teaching assistants set up the classroom, respond to inquiries, and maintain order among the students. Despite the fact that many go on to earn degrees, many teaching assistants
A health educator’s main responsibilities are to inform the public about issues related to mental health as well as general health, wellness, and behaviors. They create programs, plan events, build relationships, connect patients with suitable services, and represent people and communities. Health educators frequently promote a variety of general healthcare practices and information while raising money for their organization or cause. They may focus on specific facets of mental health awareness, such as eating disorders, PTSD, or ADHD, or work with a variety of ailments and conditions.
Primary responsibilities: A home health aide visits a person in their home to help them with practical and daily activities like eating, bathing, and housekeeping chores. Many home health aides work with patients who have mental health conditions, and some work directly for organizations that deal with addiction, mental health, and substance abuse. Long-term or temporary work with a patient is possible for home health aides.
Using outreach and educational programs, community health workers connect individuals and groups of people in a community to a range of services and organizations. They make connections, offer referrals, and offer social support to people dealing with mental health issues in their family or friends. Community health professionals could, for instance, assist a client in registering for and receiving health care services, food stamps, or transportation to and from appointments.
Primary responsibilities include consultation, outreach, and crisis intervention during supervised group or individual counseling sessions, which a counseling intern leads and engages in. To make referrals or to assist in the creation of a counseling plan, they frequently conduct assessments and intake exams. Interns in mental health counseling typically report to qualified staff, such as licensed psychologists. Although most counseling interns don’t have degrees, many do.
A mental health case manager’s main responsibilities include creating patient care plans that are frequently focused on achieving particular life and wellness goals. To develop and approve patient plans, they work together and coordinate with other mental health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and counselors. A patient may work with a mental health case manager for a short while or for ongoing mental health needs. They also respond to and handle crisis situations when needed.
A peer support specialist’s main responsibilities include supporting people who are suffering from mental illness or those who are recovering from various addictions. Peer support specialists frequently have first-hand knowledge of the issues at hand and can provide information, tools, and advice on how to deal with difficult circumstances. A high school diploma and training are typically all that are needed for these positions, though some peer specialists are still in recovery.
An administrative assistant’s main responsibilities include taking phone calls, setting up appointments, managing invoices, billing, and payment collection, as well as working the front desk. Administrative assistants in the field of mental health can work in residential facilities, clinics, community health centers, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies.
A substance abuse counselor’s main responsibilities include managing clients’ alcohol and drug addictions as well as their recovery. They assist patients’ families and friends in navigating the support system for people in recovery and work with patients who choose to seek treatment or who are required to do so by a court order. Although substance abuse counselors frequently hold a variety of degrees, many begin their careers without one. They frequently work in medical facilities, jails, prisons, schools, social service agencies, and rehabilitation facilities.
A caseworker’s main responsibilities are to assist patients and underprivileged families on their path to wellness. Caseworkers frequently work together with other healthcare professionals when dealing with mental health issues to make sure patients are properly evaluated, treated, and supported by a variety of services. Caseworkers are frequently employed by healthcare, governmental, and nonprofit organizations and work with people of all ages, including children and the elderly.
A social services assistant’s main responsibilities include assisting clients in learning about and accessing services meant to address their physical, mental, and practical needs. To assist those dealing with mental health issues in managing their condition or circumstance, they conduct research on and coordinate the creation of support groups, housing options, financial services, medication services, and other helpful connections. Instead of diagnosing patients or offering treatment, social services assistants provide information and assistance. Additionally, they assist social workers, psychologists, and counselors in their work.
Primary responsibilities: A mental health medical secretary typically manages the day-to-day operations of a mental health medical office, including appointment scheduling, hiring and training staff, ordering supplies, composing emails and other correspondence, collaborating with medical staff, and using office technology. With a certification, medical secretaries can frequently find work or pursue higher education.
Primary responsibilities: Hospitals, treatment facilities, and other facilities have psychiatric technicians who are in charge of ensuring the health and safety of patients and staff. They support therapists, social workers, and others in individual and group therapy sessions and help restrain clients who exhibit aggressive or violent behavior. Psychiatric technicians frequently keep an eye on patients, assist with medication and treatment administration, and support patients with daily activities. A certificate or vocational program is frequently necessary for the job.
What are mental health careers?
Careers in mental health involve working with people of all ages in a professional capacity to address a range of life stresses, issues, challenges, or problems, including but not limited to:
There are many different careers in the mental health industry, and while some require advanced degrees and specialized training, others do not. Hospitals, clinics, schools, government organizations, research facilities, and private practices frequently employ people in mental health roles. Without a degree, beginning a career in mental health can frequently serve as an entry-level position with plenty of room for career growth and advancement through experience and additional education.
12 additional positions in the mental health career
For those without a degree, take a look at these 12 additional positions in the field of mental health care:
Mental Health Jobs That Don’t Require A College Degree Or Student Loans(HighPaying)
FAQ
How can I help someone with mental illness without a degree?
- Teaching assistant.
- Health educator.
- Home health aide.
- Community health worker.
- Counseling intern.
- Mental health case manager.
- Peer support specialist.
- Administrative assistant.
What type of counselor does not need a degree?
- Peer support counselors.
- Career counselors.
- Substance abuse counselors.
- Life skills counselors.
- Youth workers.
- Community outreach workers.
How do I start working in the mental health field?
- Get the proper education. Even though some mental health careers can be pursued with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree is frequently required.
- Gain volunteer experience. …
- Complete an internship or residency. …
- Get licensed. …
- Get the job. …
- Keep learning. …
- Latest Posts.
What are three careers in mental health?
- Clinical or Counseling Psychologist.
- Marriage and Family Therapist.
- Clinical Social Worker.
- Psychiatric Registered Nurse.
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
- Psychiatrist.
- Mental Health Counselor.
