DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
21-1014 Mental Health Counselors
Occupational Description:
Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. Excludes “Social Workers" (21-1021 through 21-1029), "Psychiatrists" (29-1066), and "Psychologists" (19-3031 through 19-3039).| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| EDR 9 - South Central | 60 | 12 | $32.09/hr | $1.06/hr | $17.73/hr | $29.50/hr | $33.57/hr | $38.48/hr | $43.15/hr |
| Minnesota | 2,180 | 222 | $24.07/hr | $0.63/hr | $16.39/hr | $19.43/hr | $22.24/hr | $28.75/hr | $35.10/hr |
| U S | 115,080 | 1,841 | $21.09/hr | $0.13/hr | $12.40/hr | $15.46/hr | $19.53/hr | $25.22/hr | $32.47/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | 730 | $17.66/hr | N/A |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 170 | $23.79/hr | N/A |
| Physical Therapists | 110 | $36.78/hr | N/A |
| Residential Advisors | 110 | $14.70/hr | N/A |
| Occupational Therapists | 90 | $25.46/hr | N/A |
| Recreational Therapists | 20 | $21.38/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Mental Health Counselors
- Counsels clients and patients, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes.
- Interviews clients, reviews records, and confers with other professionals to evaluate mental or physical condition of client or patient.
- Modifies treatment plan to comply with changes in client's status.
- Intervenes as advocate for client or patient to resolve emergency problems in crisis situation.
- Supervises and directs other workers providing services to client or patient.
- Plans and conducts programs to prevent substance abuse or improve health and counseling services in community.
- Monitors, evaluates, and records client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
- Formulates or coordinates program plan for treatment, care, and rehabilitation of client or patient, based on social work experience and knowledge.
- Counsels family members to assist in understanding, dealing with, and supporting client or patient.
- Refers patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness.