We surveyed 3,018 mental health counselors to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical mental health counselor. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a mental health counselor?
Low
High
Working as a mental health counselor typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that mental health counselors are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become a mental health counselor?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a mental health counselor typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a mental health counselor?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a mental health counselor. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for mental health counselors.
Do mental health counselors work full-time or part-time?
84% of mental health counselors work in full-time roles while 16% work part-time.
Is being a mental health counselor stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for mental health counselors, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a mental health counselor?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be a mental health counselor.
How competitive is the workplace for mental health counselors?
Low
High
Competition at work is not common for mental health counselors.
Does being a mental health counselor require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Mental health counselors will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.
Are mental health counselors allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Mental health counselors are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do mental health counselors have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Mental health counselors tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being a mental health counselor physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a mental health counselors is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are mental health counselors exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
While sometimes repetitive, mental health counselors tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.
Does being a mental health counselor require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a mental health counselor.
Does being a good mental health counselor require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Strong compassion and empathy are critical to success as a mental health counselor.