Looking to earn an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling? Walden’s online learning program is accredited by CACREP and has five diverse specializations to choose from, in addition to the General Program. The first step in choosing a specialization that aligns with your aspirations and career goals is to understand the differences between them. Below is a brief introduction to each specialization within Walden’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program.
Addiction Counseling: This specialization can prepare you to address the unique emotional challenges of individuals and families as they find their way to hope and healing. In addition to the various types of addictive behaviors, you’ll study contemporary treatment and intervention models used to promote recovery.
Forensic Counseling: Forensic counselors help determine the proper resolution of cases and the most effective treatment for offenders within the justice system. Through this specialization, you can build your knowledge of mental health law, enhance your competencies in conflict management and negotiation, and learn how those skills can be applied to resolve conflict situations within the criminal justice system.
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling: Couples and families can, at times, experience complex problems. Whether the issues stem from divorce, child rearing, family violence or other concerns, those affected often seek the help of a licensed counselor. This specialization can prepare you with the skills and knowledge required to assess and treat couples and families in order to promote healthy family functioning.
Military Families and Culture: Help families cope with the complex emotional challenges of military life with a specialization in Military Families and Culture. Explore the nuances of military culture as well as the common hardships associated with the military lifestyle—from prolonged separation and combat-related injuries to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Trauma and Crisis Counseling: When recovering from trauma or disasters, individuals and communities need the help of professionals trained in trauma and crisis counseling. Through this specialization, you can gain the counseling skills to help individuals heal from trauma and to assist communities in managing crisis. You will be able to master the theory, intervention strategies, and treatment models needed to counsel and support individuals and families in crisis.
The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offered by Walden’s School of Counseling can prepare you to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. As a licensed clinical mental health counselor, you’ll be prepared to work in a number of professional settings, including community mental health centers, private hospitals, correctional facilities, domestic violence centers, and more.* Regardless of which specialization you choose, this online graduate program will provide you with the necessary tools for preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders.
Aside from selecting the best specialization for your degree, you may wish to consider earning Walden’s MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling degree. Upon successful graduation, you will have earned two degrees from an accredited program and be able to pursue licensure or certification as both a mental health counselor and a school counselor.
At Walden, an accredited university, you can earn your degree online while you continue to work full time. That means you can better maintain a work-life balance while you advance your skill set. With online learning, there’s no need to completely rearrange your schedule or commute to campus—you can take classes at whatever time of day works best for you as you earn your master’s degree and work toward the career of your dreams.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as an array of psychology and counseling degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
*Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of a degree program.Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as a mental health counseling program under the 2001 standards. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and CACREP accreditation is a requirement for licensure in many states.
The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure issues, however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org