This career is expected to grow 24 percent—much faster than average—through 2018. States are creating networks to improve services for children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. These networks need staffing.

Also, because counselors are a less-expensive alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists, managed care insurers increasingly prefer to hire and reimburse counselors.

In 2008, mental health counselors earned an average salary of $36,810. The middle 50 percent earned $28,930 to $48,580. The highest 10 percent earned more than $63,100.

For mental health counselors, government employers generally pay the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Residential care facilities often pay the lowest wages.

Mental health counselors work with individuals, families and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, problems with self-esteem and grief.

They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, marital, or other relationship problems. Mental health counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses and school counselors.

Counselors may work in a private practice, community health organization or hospital. Mental health counselors often work flexible hours to accommodate families in crisis or working couples who must have evening or weekend appointments.

Carefully check any licensing requirements your state may place on mental health counselors. State licensing requirements will vary widely depending on your employer, location and specialty.

Licensing: Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have some form of counselor licensure that governs the practice of counseling. Requirements for private practice typically include the completion of a master’s degree in counseling. You may also need to complete at least two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience beyond the master’s degree. Finally, you may be required to pass a state-specific licensing exam. Criminal background checks are required for most counseling positions.

Many counselors elect to be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors, which grants a general practice credential of National Certified Counselor.

Entering the Field: Many counselors specialize. Gerontology (old age) counselors are in increasing demand. Drug and addiction counselors also represent a growing specialty. Earning a certificate or associate degree in some special area of psychology (grief counseling) or some special population (women or the elderly, for example) can help you prepare to work in human services facilities and group homes.

Career Changers: Teachers, ministers and healthcare aides often cross over into counseling careers. Many who hold bachelor’s degrees in the liberal arts, philosophy, religion, humanities or social science advance to earn master’s degrees in counseling psychology.