Career Outlook
Your Future with an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
“William James provided me with the opportunity to expose myself to multiple agencies during a pre-graduation career fair. I was able to secure a job and start working just prior to graduation. I love my placement and I don’t think I would ever have known that without William James’ encouragement and connections.”
— Ashley B, Mental Health Professional at MCI-Cedar Junction
With a degree in clinical mental health counseling, you will have the training to work in a wide variety of settings and with a wide range of clients. You can customize your career path to focus on work with a specific population and in a preferred setting where you can have the greatest impact.
As a student in the on-campus MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you can enroll in an area of emphasis including Forensic and Correctional Counseling, Health and Behavioral Medicine, Substance Use and Addictions, or Couples and Family Therapy to further enhance your training and education. Many students also choose the General Track to get an introduction to a variety of topics.
Your professional experience begins with your field placement as early as your first semester in the program. Here is a sampling of settings in which you will be prepared to work.
- Community Mental Health Centers
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Residential Treatment Centers
- Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
- Correctional Centers
- College and University Counseling Centers
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Managed Behavioral Health Care Organizations
- Government Agencies
- Elder Care Facilities
- Faith Communities
Our Alumni can be found working at these organizations:
- Advocates
- Arbour Counseling
- Aspire Health Alliance
- Brockton Neighborhood Health Center
- Brookline Center for Community Mental Health
- Children’s Friends and Family Services
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Eliot Community Human Services
- Justice Resource Institute (JRI)
- Lighthouse School Inc
- Massachusetts Treatment Center/ Wellpath
- Mattapan Community Health Center
- NorthEast Health Services
- Pinal County Juvenile Court
- Quincy Police Department
- Riverside Community Care
- Signature Health Care (Brockton Hospital)
- South Bay Community Services
- Worcester Housing Authority
“I just started my new job as a Mental Health Clinician with Massachusetts General Hospital where I will be doing some crisis counseling. WJC prepared me for this exciting opportunity with their many elective opportunities to focus on trauma and the well-rounded education with their required courses taught by experienced and insightful professors.”
—Lyndsey Brinson, LMHC at Massachusetts General Hospital, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate
There are many employment opportunities in the Boston area and throughout the United States for qualified counselors. Once you have completed your post-master's work experience requirements and have passed the national licensing examination (known as the NCMHE), mental health counselors can also pursue independent practice. In Massachusetts, licensed mental health counselors are known as LMHCs.
At William James College, our Couples and Family Therapy Area of Emphasis leads to licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist, also known as an LMFT. Students are required to take three additional credits to obtain this credential for a total of 63 credits. This process allows students to have dual licensure.
Salary Guide
According to salary.com, there is a range of salaries, which vary by industry and occupation. We encourage you to do your own research on salary.com or the Bureau of Labor Statistics to explore salary expectations for your geographical region and industry, but here is a sampling below.
| Job Title | National Salary Range |
| Mental Health Clinician | $53,880-$80,232 |
| Substance Abuse Counselor | $42,998-$68,426 |
| Employee Assistance Program Counselor | $60,764-$90,949 |
| School Adjustment Counselor | $40,818-$70,841 |
The need for master's level mental health counselors is now greater than ever. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports on national employment growth for these professions.
| Job Outlook: Percent (%) Change in Employment for 2020-2030 | ||
| Marriage and Family Therapist | Up 16% |  |
| Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor | Up 23% | |
| Mental Health Counselor | Up 23% | |
| US News and World Report: Best Social Service Jobs in 2022 | ||
| Marriage and Family Therapist | No. 22 |  |
| Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor | No. 3 | |
| Mental Health Counselor | No. 15 | |
Are you ready to pursue your career as a clinical mental health counselor?
Connect with us at info@williamjames.edu to learn more.
Career Services at William James College
We offer career services through our Dean of Students Office including individual career guidance and employment counseling, workshops, events, and resources to students and alumni across all disciplines.
Read more about our services