Career Plan: Licensed Mental Health Counselor Heydis T. Diaz ✓ Solved

Career Plan: Licensed Mental Health Counselor Heydis T. Diaz

Prepare a career plan focusing on your objective to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Discuss your current education path, including your intended major and any coursework that is relevant. Include an overview of your job market research, such as expected salaries and licensure requirements, as well as any additional experiences or skills that might improve your marketability after graduation. Please also discuss a parallel plan that involves other potential career paths should you not achieve your initial objective.

Paper For Above Instructions

The journey toward becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is both a personal and professional endeavor that I have meticulously planned. As I reflect on my career path, I recognize how my previous experiences as a healthcare professional have shaped my desire to assist individuals grappling with psychological stressors. Through this career plan, I will outline the essential steps I need to take to achieve my goal, discuss the expected job market outcomes, and explore parallel career options that align with my purpose of helping others.

Current Education Path

I am currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Florida International University (FIU), which is a fundamental step toward my goal of becoming an LMHC. My coursework has included classes in personality theory, psychopathology, and psychotherapy—areas that I find both fascinating and relevant to my future career. These courses have equipped me with theoretical knowledge and practical insight into human behavior, which I will apply in my counseling practice.

After completing my Bachelor's degree, my next objective is to pursue a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling Psychology, which is critical for obtaining my LMHC licensure. This program typically encompasses a two-year curriculum that integrates clinical knowledge with practical training. Furthermore, I will need to fulfill a requirement of 1,500 hours of direct client contact through an internship before I can sit for the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHE), which is the final step toward licensure (Florida International University, 2020).

Job Market Research

An essential component of my career plan involves researching the job market for LMHCs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019), the average salary for marriage and family therapists nationwide is about $50,000 annually. However, the expected salary can vary significantly based on location and experience. In Miami, for example, the average salary for licensed mental health counselors is slightly lower at around $49,000, which is less than the national average (Pay Scale, 2020).

Salary disparities also exist between different geographic areas. While Miami's top earners in the field can make approximately $72,000, adjacent Tampa can boast averages of over $101,000. In contrast, licensed mental health counselors in other major cities like New York and San Diego see lower average salaries of about $48,000 and $53,000, respectively (Pay Scale, 2020). Awareness of these salary variances will guide my geographical job search after completing my education.

Licensure Requirements

Being aware of the requirements to practice as an LMHC is crucial. To achieve licensure, I must successfully complete my Master's program, accumulate the necessary direct client contact hours, and pass various post-graduation assessments. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is also a prerequisite for graduate school application, which adds another layer to my preparation (Florida International University, 2020). Understanding the significance of these requirements has prompted me to begin preparing early, ensuring I have ample time to meet all the qualifications.

Improving Marketability

In order to enhance my marketability as I progress through my education, I plan to attend relevant professional conferences and workshops focused on mental health counseling. These events will not only improve my knowledge base but will also provide networking opportunities with industry professionals. If possible, I would like to leverage my current position in healthcare to make a transition to a mental health facility as an intern or assistant, which would allow me to gain valuable experience while still in school.

The costs of education can be daunting, and understanding these financial implications is critical for making informed decisions. At FIU, the cost of the Master’s program in Professional Counseling Psychology is approximately $28,560 (Florida International University, 2020). In contrast, Albizu University’s program is somewhat more expensive at around $39,752. Knowing this has influenced my preference for FIU not only due to cost but also because their program is structured to include significant clinical hours, facilitating a swifter path to licensure.

Parallel Career Discussion

While I am dedicated to becoming an LMHC, it is prudent to consider alternative careers that would still allow me to fulfill my passion for assisting others. One option is to pursue a career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which also focuses on helping individuals navigate social and emotional challenges. This role has parallels with mental health counseling and could be a suitable alternative if my primary path does not materialize.

If unforeseen circumstances arise that prevent me from pursuing graduate studies in counseling, another avenue to consider would be nursing. Although my current studies do not directly qualify me for nursing, my background in healthcare and my associate degree with a pre-nursing concentration would ease the transition. Securing a nursing position at a mental health facility could still fulfill my desire to help others, and the salary potential in nursing is significantly higher, with national averages ranging from $50,800 to $106,500 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019).

Education costs for nursing can vary widely, with Miami Dade College offering programs at approximately $16,237 (Miami Dade College, 2020). Examining these financial aspects allows me to establish a well-rounded perspective on potential career outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, my career plan to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor is anchored in a robust educational framework complemented by strategic job market insights. By systematically preparing for licensure requirements and exploring alternative career paths, I am setting myself up for success in the mental health field or related professions. The journey ahead is challenging yet deeply rewarding, as I remain committed to my ultimate goal of aiding individuals through their mental health struggles.

References

  • Albizu University. (2020). Master of science in psychology (M.S.) major in mental health counseling. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2019, September 4). Occupational outlook handbook: Marriage and family therapists. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2019, September 4). Occupational outlook handbook: Registered nurses. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
  • Florida International University. (2020). Department of Psychology: Getting licensed. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  • Miami Dade College. (2020). Academics. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  • Nova Southeastern University. (2020). Master of science (M.S.) in counseling program: College of psychology. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  • Nova Southeastern University. (2020). Entry bachelors of science in nursing program: BSN degree: Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  • Pay Scale. (n.d.). Average licensed mental health counselor salary in Miami, Florida. Retrieved February 1, 2020.

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