In the US, there’s an increasing demand for behavioral health services; here’s how counseling graduates can help.
According to Health Resources and Services Administration data analyzed by KFF, around four in ten Americans were living in areas identified by the federal government as having a shortage of mental health professionals, at the end of 2025.
By matching your skills to those needed to overcome this shortage, you can help close the gap. What’s more, the routes to becoming a counselor are now more flexible.
Why Master’s Level Counselors Matter
Typically, you’ll need a master’s degree and an internship to become a mental health counselor. All states also require mental health counselors to have a license. Add all that together, and it can take some time to get into the industry.
The good news is that you can study for your master of counseling degree online – which means you can work while completing your qualification, studying remotely. You’ll also complete supervised clinical work at approved locations, which can be local to you.
For context: the BLS projects employment of mental health and addiction counselors to grow by 18% between 2025 and 2035 – far greater than the average 3% across all occupations. Assuming that does occur then, by 2035, there will be almost 100,000 extra people in that role, on top of the approximately 533,400 there were in 2025. In terms of job openings: you’re looking at around 50,500 vacancies per year, once you factor in people retiring, or changing occupation.
Demand Is Outpacing Supply
Behavioral health use has increased by almost two-thirds since 2018, according to Trilliant Health’s 2026 report. Within that rise, the largest increase was for anxiety disorders, which went up nearly 90%.
However, there’s a massive shortage in this area, with the U.S. only meeting just over a quarter of its mental health workforce needs. Worrying figures indeed. The report projects that, even with the extra 100k roles mentioned, by 2038 there will still be around 100k fewer mental health counselors than needed. Burnout is affecting this industry; according to Allison Oakes, chief research officer at Trilliant, 83% of mental health providers report it.
By choosing a program with lots of supervised training, you can be set up for success.
The Benefits of Study Online, For Working Professionals
Flexibility
Many programs will offer part-time study; some will offer multiple entry points throughout the year. While you’re studying, you can still earn money. If you’re in a management role, you can get your staff to upskill while they remain in their roles.
More Choice
By studying online you’ll have more choice, as you can study remotely. First, ensure the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This ensures the program includes 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship. That’s lots of supervised training – it tends to match many state board requirements.
Planning
To be CACREP-accredited, clinical mental health programs require a minimum of 60 semester credit hours. That means it’ll likely take you several years if you’re completing the program part-time, so check how the placement works for each program. Some will offer you locations for your practicum and internship. This can be a huge benefit if you’re working.
Career Change
Some programs are happy to take students from varied academic backgrounds. If you want to switch careers from nursing or administration, this could be a great option. With two-thirds of behavioral health visits being done via telehealth (Trilliant report), studying online can also help you become accustomed to using telehealth platforms.
How to Plan Your Route to Becoming Licensed
Once you have your degree, you’ll need a license to make it a career. You need to pass a national exam, and complete supervised clinical work with a licensed counselor, according to the BLS. Furthermore, requirements can vary between states, so ensure any program you choose meets the educational requirements of yours. Make sure the number of placement hours will be accepted by your board. While there are online programs available nationwide, licensing is determined locally – a quick email to your board can save you lots of time in the future. CareerOneStop is a resource from the Department of Labor which can help you understand what requirements your state licensing board has.
Where Can Counseling Graduates Help Increase Capacity?
There are lots of opportunities available to you as a counselor; around 16% of counselors work in outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers, according to the BLS. Around 7% work in hospitals, which pay the highest median wage of the five largest industries employing counselors, at $63,310 in May 2025 – the overall median was $59,350.
Any licensed graduate will help increase capacity, but, with a degree, you can forge a career with high projected growth. Make sure you first know what the requirements are from your state board, then shortlist accredited programs that fit your schedule.