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Licensed mental health counselor

Mental health counselors-often social workers or marriage and family therapists -provide counseling services for individuals, couples, families, teens, and children.

Mental health counselors must earn a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health field and complete a minimum of 2 years of clinical work after earning their degree.

Most mental health counselors are licensed by the state in which they practice and have passed a state-developed or national licensure or certification exam.

Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 25, 2007
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