Mental Health Advisor Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
To become a mental health advisor, a health practitioner must obtain a license. Formal education is of utmost importance in this case. This may include 4 years of undergraduate school and 4 years of medical school.
Training and Education
Employees often obtain a master's degree before starting. The percentage of mental health advisors with college degrees is 73%. Workers with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 18% of the total. Some employees, about 9%, had a high-school education.
Job Overview
The primary job of mental health advisors is to help people overcome their mental illnesses and emotional problems. These health care professionals have to assess and treat mental problems by combining psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, medication and hospitalization. Their job demands regular discussions with the patients in order to help them find solutions to their behavioral problems. Their work also involves closely examining the patient, questioning and interviewing him/her and conducting clinical studies.
Job Requirements
Mental health advisors may benefit from enrolling in the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. certification program. The United States provides licensures to its mental health advisors after an examination is passes. Completion of 1 to 7 years of graduate medical education is also mandatory. Certification in a sub-specialty will require an additional 1 to 2 years of residency for a physician a medical practitioner.
The American Association of Pastoral Counselors offers certifications to mental health advisors. These certificates prove one’s credentials and can help further the career of a mental health advisor.
Apart from the academic qualifications, mental health advisors need to possess the willingness to serve patients. They should be extremely patient and have high levels of motivation and emotional stability and the ability to make proper decisions in times of emergency. Mental health advisors need to discuss problems and solutions with their patients, so communication skills have to be strong. They also have to keep themselves updated with the latest developments in medical science throughout their careers.
Nature of Work
Mental health advisors study their patient’s behavioral patterns, explore their past experiences and conduct family and group therapy sessions. They are also required to provide electroconvulsive therapy to mental patients who are not able to respond to medications.
Mental health advisors generally work in clinics or private offices. Nurses and other administrative personnel also assist them. Their job may require them to work long and irregular hours. Mental health advisors may also need to travel frequently in order to handle emergency cases.
Area Job Conditions
Popular locations for mental health advisors include Taunton (Massachusetts), Gadsden (Alabama), and Scranton (Pennsylvania). Fewer are found in Greensboro (North Carolina), Dallas (Texas), and Charleston (South Carolina).
Workers looking for high salaries should look at Bakersfield (California), Vineland (New Jersey), and Lafayette (Indiana), and should avoid Coeur d'Alene (Idaho), Houma (Louisiana), and Elkhart (Indiana).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Part-time mental health advisors are 15% of all surveyed. Some workers, about 6%, work for themselves.
Career Videos
Mental Health Advisors by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $36,000 | 190 | -51% |
| Huntsville | $34,000 | 50 | -69% |
| Montgomery | $44,000 | 160 | +28% |
| Tuscaloosa | $39,000 | 50 | -25% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $60,000 | 200 | +56% |
| Fairbanks | $58,000 | 30 | +40% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $44,000 | 1,040 | -26% |
| Tucson | $41,000 | 220 | -18% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $43,000 | 120 | -24% |
| Fort Smith | $46,000 | 80 | -13% |
| Hot Springs | $51,000 | 30 | +23% |
| Little Rock | $55,000 | 200 | -27% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $55,000 | 90 | -56% |
| Los Angeles | $48,000 | 1,920 | -41% |
| Napa | $34,000 | 80 | +79% |
| Oakland | $46,000 | 1,170 | +47% |
| Oxnard | $52,000 | 80 | -66% |
| Redding | $34,000 | 90 | +112% |
| Riverside | $40,000 | 600 | -38% |
| Sacramento | $53,000 | 500 | -28% |
| Salinas | $53,000 | 90 | -26% |
| San Diego | $46,000 | 610 | -42% |
| San Francisco | $54,000 | 820 | +3% |
| San Jose | $39,000 | 470 | -34% |
| Santa Ana | $41,000 | 140 | -88% |
| Santa Barbara | $45,000 | 110 | -14% |
| Santa Cruz | 100 | +57% | |
| Santa Rosa | $42,000 | 220 | +65% |
| Stockton | $35,000 | 140 | -14% |
| Vallejo | $41,000 | 120 | +34% |
| Visalia | $54,000 | 100 | -2% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $40,000 | 200 | +71% |
| Colorado Springs | $42,000 | 370 | +88% |
| Denver | $43,000 | 1,530 | +53% |
| Fort Collins | $30,000 | 340 | +260% |
| Grand Junction | $39,000 | 110 | +174% |
| Greeley | $36,000 | 60 | +15% |
| Pueblo | $51,000 | 130 | +224% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $46,000 | 330 | -2% |
| Danbury | $41,000 | 100 | +104% |
| Hartford | $40,000 | 480 | +5% |
| New Haven | $40,000 | 470 | +121% |
| Norwich | $47,000 | 120 | +30% |
| Waterbury | $36,000 | 270 | +455% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $38,000 | 200 | -22% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $53,000 | 1,820 | -7% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $41,000 | 80 | -46% |
| Deltona | $39,000 | 200 | +71% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $45,000 | 630 | +13% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $36,000 | 90 | +63% |
| Gainesville | $45,000 | 70 | -23% |
| Jacksonville | $39,000 | 360 | -25% |
| Lakeland | $43,000 | 160 | +10% |
| Miami | $46,000 | 640 | -18% |
| Naples | $39,000 | 70 | -16% |
| Ocala | $41,000 | 40 | -38% |
| Orlando | $38,000 | 670 | -17% |
| Palm Bay | $44,000 | 120 | -21% |
| Panama City | $34,000 | 60 | +21% |
| Pensacola | $36,000 | 90 | -20% |
| Port St Lucie | $40,000 | 150 | +68% |
| Sarasota | $47,000 | 170 | -11% |
| Tallahassee | $41,000 | 170 | +38% |
| Tampa | $36,000 | 560 | -39% |
| West Palm Beach | $38,000 | 270 | -34% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $39,000 | 1,260 | -32% |
| Augusta | $65,000 | 30 | -81% |
| Macon | $47,000 | 40 | -40% |
| Savannah | $38,000 | 30 | -74% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $37,000 | 150 | -57% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $49,000 | 110 | -46% |
| Coeur Dalene | $47,000 | 60 | +70% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $47,000 | 50 | -34% |
| Chicago | $42,000 | 4,250 | +41% |
| Kankakee | $31,000 | 70 | +149% |
| Peoria | $42,000 | 130 | 0% |
| Rockford | $39,000 | 150 | +41% |
| Springfield | $53,000 | 90 | +12% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | $42,000 | 50 | -62% |
| Fort Wayne | $54,000 | 80 | -49% |
| Gary | $38,000 | 70 | -67% |
| Indianapolis | $44,000 | 290 | -59% |
| South Bend | $44,000 | 60 | -38% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $40,000 | 50 | -53% |
| Davenport | $34,000 | 120 | -16% |
| Des Moines | $41,000 | 270 | +4% |
| Dubuque | $32,000 | 40 | +7% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $34,000 | 60 | -73% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $36,000 | 80 | -57% |
| Louisville | $33,000 | 450 | -7% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $30,000 | 350 | +663% |
| Baton Rouge | $44,000 | 160 | -46% |
| Lafayette | $29,000 | 80 | -26% |
| Monroe | $44,000 | 60 | +8% |
| New Orleans | $31,000 | 680 | +62% |
| Shreveport | $39,000 | 100 | -28% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $50,000 | 70 | +61% |
| Portland | $49,000 | 100 | -35% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $38,000 | 900 | -14% |
| Bethesda | $40,000 | 270 | -41% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $44,000 | 1,770 | +27% |
| Brockton | $41,000 | 140 | +111% |
| Haverhill | $36,000 | 180 | +200% |
| Lawrence | 90 | +113% | |
| Lowell | $39,000 | 100 | +11% |
| New Bedford | $52,000 | 160 | +246% |
| Pittsfield | $59,000 | 40 | +86% |
| Springfield | $46,000 | 620 | +166% |
| Taunton | $36,000 | 210 | +579% |
| Worcester | $48,000 | 660 | +237% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $37,000 | 140 | +9% |
| Battle Creek | $47,000 | 80 | +121% |
| Detroit | $41,000 | 280 | -47% |
| Grand Rapids | $53,000 | 350 | +18% |
| Holland | $51,000 | 50 | -30% |
| Kalamazoo | $48,000 | 40 | -61% |
| Lansing | $48,000 | 110 | -28% |
| Warren | $50,000 | 530 | -39% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $40,000 | 60 | -39% |
| Mankato | $41,000 | 40 | +1% |
| Minneapolis | $45,000 | 1,430 | +0% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $45,000 | 180 | -9% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $41,000 | 40 | +30% |
| Kansas City | $41,000 | 400 | -51% |
| Springfield | $33,000 | 60 | -59% |
| St Joseph | $27,000 | 60 | +69% |
| St Louis | $47,000 | 330 | -69% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | $34,000 | 90 | +145% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $40,000 | 200 | +63% |
| Omaha | $43,000 | 320 | -14% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $50,000 | 310 | -54% |
| Reno | $57,000 | 100 | -32% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $38,000 | 150 | +95% |
| Nashua | $41,000 | 170 | +64% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $44,000 | 70 | -36% |
| Camden | $45,000 | 650 | +56% |
| Edison | $46,000 | 710 | -14% |
| Newark | $47,000 | 950 | +19% |
| Trenton | $45,000 | 230 | +30% |
| Vineland | $51,000 | 130 | +205% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $50,000 | 590 | +94% |
| Las Cruces | $45,000 | 50 | +9% |
| Santa Fe | $33,000 | 50 | +13% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $39,000 | 230 | -36% |
| Buffalo | $33,000 | 470 | +7% |
| Nassau | $39,000 | 760 | -25% |
| New York | $39,000 | 4,460 | +7% |
| Poughkeepsie | $31,000 | 200 | +4% |
| Rochester | $35,000 | 510 | +27% |
| Syracuse | $37,000 | 180 | -27% |
| Utica | $28,000 | 110 | +17% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $39,000 | 370 | +172% |
| Charlotte | $42,000 | 450 | -34% |
| Durham | $44,000 | 370 | +71% |
| Fayetteville | $41,000 | 180 | +89% |
| Goldsboro | $42,000 | 50 | +81% |
| Greensboro | $43,000 | 220 | -22% |
| Greenville | $43,000 | 110 | +126% |
| Hickory | $42,000 | 100 | -11% |
| Jacksonville | $45,000 | 50 | +71% |
| Raleigh | $38,000 | 380 | -7% |
| Wilmington | $37,000 | 210 | +103% |
| Winston Salem | $50,000 | 80 | -51% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $51,000 | 270 | +7% |
| Canton | $48,000 | 210 | +64% |
| Cincinnati | $43,000 | 840 | +4% |
| Cleveland | $41,000 | 820 | +0% |
| Columbus | $46,000 | 490 | -33% |
| Dayton | $48,000 | 350 | +16% |
| Sandusky | $50,000 | 60 | +157% |
| Springfield | $44,000 | 30 | -10% |
| Steubenville | $34,000 | 30 | +6% |
| Toledo | $43,000 | 280 | +21% |
| Youngstown | $48,000 | 580 | +229% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $49,000 | 70 | +151% |
| Oklahoma City | $49,000 | 450 | -2% |
| Tulsa | $40,000 | 340 | 0% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $51,000 | 310 | +190% |
| Medford | $43,000 | 60 | +7% |
| Portland | $47,000 | 1,280 | +57% |
| Salem | $58,000 | 70 | -38% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $41,000 | 690 | +153% |
| Altoona | $29,000 | 210 | +386% |
| Erie | $38,000 | 280 | +189% |
| Harrisburg | $46,000 | 570 | +126% |
| Johnstown | $35,000 | 350 | +782% |
| Lancaster | $40,000 | 280 | +53% |
| Lebanon | $48,000 | 50 | +59% |
| Philadelphia | $36,000 | 6,760 | +342% |
| Pittsburgh | $39,000 | 2,800 | +205% |
| Reading | $46,000 | 230 | +80% |
| Scranton | $33,000 | 990 | +385% |
| State College | $42,000 | 60 | +34% |
| Williamsport | $42,000 | 30 | -17% |
| York | $36,000 | 340 | +151% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $37,000 | 810 | +83% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $25,000 | 100 | -56% |
| Columbia | $44,000 | 160 | -42% |
| Greenville | $36,000 | 30 | -87% |
| Myrtle Beach | $63,000 | 40 | -51% |
| Spartanburg | $36,000 | 40 | -54% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $40,000 | 40 | -12% |
| Sioux Falls | $46,000 | 110 | +4% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $29,000 | 40 | -77% |
| Clarksville | $30,000 | 80 | +40% |
| Jackson | $29,000 | 70 | +68% |
| Johnson City | $35,000 | 30 | -42% |
| Kingsport | $32,000 | 140 | +53% |
| Knoxville | $30,000 | 160 | -39% |
| Memphis | $33,000 | 1,220 | +148% |
| Nashville | $36,000 | 460 | -22% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | 40 | -50% | |
| Austin | $40,000 | 400 | -36% |
| Beaumont | $30,000 | 70 | -43% |
| Corpus Christi | $32,000 | 240 | +75% |
| Dallas | $39,000 | 470 | -72% |
| El Paso | $36,000 | 40 | -81% |
| Fort Worth | $38,000 | 290 | -58% |
| Houston | $40,000 | 870 | -59% |
| Midland | $47,000 | 40 | -11% |
| San Antonio | $41,000 | 240 | -66% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provo | $44,000 | 170 | +30% |
| Salt Lake City | $45,000 | 310 | -36% |
| St George | $53,000 | 30 | -5% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $37,000 | 80 | -4% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $48,000 | 40 | -8% |
| Lynchburg | $36,000 | 310 | +323% |
| Richmond | $41,000 | 1,240 | +153% |
| Roanoke | $37,000 | 250 | +110% |
| Virginia Beach | $43,000 | 1,110 | +83% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton | $44,000 | 90 | +48% |
| Kennewick | $42,000 | 130 | +75% |
| Longview | $41,000 | 60 | +173% |
| Seattle | $44,000 | 1,680 | +49% |
| Spokane | $47,000 | 400 | +152% |
| Tacoma | $43,000 | 640 | +209% |
| Wenatchee | $43,000 | 30 | +14% |
| Yakima | $47,000 | 150 | +145% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $31,000 | 90 | -19% |
| Huntington | $29,000 | 170 | +99% |
| Morgantown | $29,000 | 50 | +34% |
| Wheeling | $36,000 | 60 | +29% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $46,000 | 90 | +5% |
| Eau Claire | $55,000 | 40 | -25% |
| Green Bay | $54,000 | 120 | -7% |
| Janesville | $44,000 | 60 | +33% |
| Madison | $45,000 | 320 | +20% |
| Milwaukee | $42,000 | 610 | -8% |
| Oshkosh | $51,000 | 50 | -23% |
| Racine | $48,000 | 40 | -26% |
| Wausau | $49,000 | 50 | +5% |