Practice locations
Professional counselors and rehabilitation specialists serve people from the very young to senior adults (children and adolescents, young adults, individuals in unique groups, couples, families, adults and senior citizens) in schools, independent practice, community agencies, businesses, management, behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, employee assistance programs, substance abuse treatment centers, and hospital settings, always with the goal of improving the lives of their clients and consumers. |
Contact the Human Services Department
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Earnings and employment facts
Median annual earnings of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in 2002 were $30,180. The middle 50 percent earned between $24,350 and $37,520. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,540, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $45,570.
Median annual earnings of mental health counselors in 2002 were $29,940. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,950 and $39,160. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,760, and the highest 10 percent earned more than 50,170.
Median annual earnings of rehabilitation counselors in 2002 were $25,840. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,350 and $34,000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,840, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $44,940.
For substance abuse, mental health, and rehabilitation counselors, government employers generally pay the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Residential care facilities often pay the lowest wages.
Median annual earnings of educational, vocational, and school counselors in 2002 were $44,100. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,160 and $56,770. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,930, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $70,320. School counselors can earn additional income working summers in the school system or in other jobs.
Median annual earnings of marriage and family therapists in 2002 were $35,580. The middle 50 percent earned between $26,790 and $44,620. The lowest 10 percent earned less than 20,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,030. Median annual earnings in 2002 were $29,160 in individual and family social services, the industry employing the largest numbers of marriage and family therapists (Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics <http://bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm>)
More facts about counseling
More than 526,000 professional licensed counselors are in practice in the United States (Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Profession counselors and rehabilitation specialist adhere to rigorous code of ethics.
48 states license or certify professional counselors for independent private practice.
The majority of national behavioral health managed care companies reimburse professional counselor for services they provide
Counseling ethics
Professional counselors adhere to professional codes of ethics and standards of practice. You can review these sites to see them in detail.
American Counseling Association: Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. (click on Resources in top banner, then ETHICS on left)
American Mental Health Counselors Association (OMHCA)
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification(CRCC)
National Board for Certified Counselors(NBCC)
National Rehabilitation Counselor Association(NRCA)
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board(OCSWMFTB)
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