r/counseloreducation

Hey folks! As my wife just got to med school this past week and we are moving to Maryland, I’m finally able to narrow down and apply to in person programs for mental health counseling in the fall. I’m asking for some advice and insights regarding programs and jobs. Here are my questions:
1.) I’m thinking of applying to JHU, George Mason, and George Washington University. How many programs do folks recommend applying for? I’m really set on in person. Are there any additional programs that folks would recommend?
2.) what will set me up to be a competitive applicant? For context, I have a 3.98 GPA and a bachelors in psychology. I have about a year and a halfs worth of experience as a registered behavioral technician using ABA therapy with kids with autism. (now I’m a server full-time so I can make more money to help pay for my wife’s med school and that simply pays more.)
3.) what jobs are recommended for students in
these programs? I’m not interested in more ABA/autism work and want to do something different while I study.

Lastly, I’m particularly interested in working 1 on 1 with folks struggling with OCD and anxiety
Thanks and good luck to all!

I, 31(F), am thinking of going back to school to get my Master's in Mental Health Counseling in hopes of one day becoming an independent practitioner with a license. My state requires 4500 hours of supervised hours to attain a license. I am afraid that accumulating those hours is going to be a very difficult task. I have read in places that people even end up paying to get supervised hours, how true is that? What is the biggest roadblock apart from finance to actually becoming an LPC? Is it worth going back to school?

Hi everyone, this is going to be a lot, so thank you in advance for reading. I’m a blind future counselor, and I am currently completing my last semester before I am scheduled to begin practicum in the fall. Unfortunately, I have really been struggling to find sites that are willing to take me on for practicum and internship. I am currently an executive functioning instructor, and I have worked in multiple therapeutic settings, so after viewing my résumé I typically receive interest from sites. However, after I disclose my disability, they are immediately made uncomfortable.

I have been blind my whole life, so I am definitely no stranger to this particular brand of discrimination. However, I am struggling to navigate it in these situations, since I cannot force an internship site to take me on. My program sent me a list of approved sites in my area, but so far I have received rejections from almost all of them. The ones that have not rejected me outright have created a list of excuses as to why this would not work. They are concerned about paperwork, liability, and ability to interpret body language. Although I have explained the adaptations that I have made in order to mitigate these factors, many of the people that I have interviewed with remain uncomfortable. I know that this is a longshot, but do you guys have any advice? I’ve reached out to the internship coordinator at my university, as well as my advisor, but neither of them has been able to provide substantial answers.

Hey all, throwing this out there just in case maybe, possibly I get lucky. I'm currently half way done with my MS in counseling. The practicum I had set up for the fall just fell through, so I'm in a bit of a tight spot.

I live in Southwest Montana (where I'll be licensed post-graduation) and I'm wondering if anyone on here would be willing to supervise me for a practicum in the fall? I can do remote and can travel if necessary. I need to have something lined up by June 1 or my graduation will be pushed back a semester. I know, huge ask, short notice. Really throwing a dart out there in desperation!

Hope you're all well.

Hello, I am a current MA Counseling student at a CACREP-accredited institution. By the end of Fall '26 we have to secure our practicum/internship site.

I am based in the United States, but am transiting my life and career to Asia. I do not want to go back to the U.S. to complete my practicum/internship. However, I am having a very difficult time finding any place in Asia -- it could be Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China, Malaysia, etc., I'm not that picky -- where I could fulfill these requirements. It's difficult to even find any place that employs licensed counselors/therapists/social workers. That's not surprising, but I'm still doing my due diligence in searching.

I thus make this post in hopes someone can point me in the right direction. Thank you.

Are you therapist happy and feel well compensated for the work that you do? Do you have any regrets? Tag what you are as well. One love <3

Sincerely a curious future CMH grad student

I know for most people, the beauty of an online masters in mental health counseling is the asynchronous nature, but I've been trying (and mostly failing) to find a program that meets virtually, with SOME asynchronous content, sure, but that also has some classes that are synchronous online. Like - a class I HAVE to attend at a certain time on a certain day - but not actually be there in person, just virtually. Has anyone found the unicorn of a program that has this feature? Again, not looking for hybrid - basically, I'm only even looking at online options because there's a potential for us to relocate in the next couple of years.

Would appreciate any and all suggestions! Also, I'm in Texas currently, so would love to find a school that has flat rate tuition or I guess is in state.

Also totally okay with programs I have to visit in person a time or two, just not regularly.

I am in my masters at Cumberlands. I am in the never ending process of getting my permanent accommodation approved by the student center who approves them. I have followed up a few times with them and NO RESPONSE. I kind of find that unacceptable to be honest. But anyways I emailed my two professors for this bi-term asking for an extension on my three assignments due yesterday. One was a paper and that professor said yes and gave me an extension. The other professor made no sense in his replies (he said back “yes please” and “no please”). I asked for clarification and did not get any. Anyways now I’m late for my 2 assignments for the professor that denied me extended time even though that’s what I’m asking for when I’m experiencing mental health issues as outlines in my accommodations request. My question is professor #2 who denied me extended time allowed to do that? Even if he is I’m quite frankly disappointed in that. I reached out early and explained my situation. I asked for further clarification and he never replied. :/ I’m disappointed in the overall accommodation process at Cumberlands to be honest.

greetings everyone. I (f23) am looking for some advice whether going back to school is the right decision, in this economy. I live in the US, in a northeastern state. I have my B.A. in psychology, and I have some experience in social services, mental health, and working in childcare, and a few years in beauty (skincare, makeup, etc.) sales. I have always dreamed/planned on going to school to become an adolescent mental health counselor; I have already been accepted into a Master’s program this fall. When planning for the next 3 years (it’s a projected 3 years + 1 semester program) I am dreading if I am able to afford it. I’m afraid I will put myself in a bad financial situation and struggle to graduate. I have about $20k in federal sub/unsubsidized loans for my undergrad degree. I’ve worked 35-40 hours/wk, during the last four years to pay for school, and my living expenses. I get basically no help from my mom. I am no contact from my biological father. I live with my partners family, living with my mom is an option but not a good one for my mental health. I currently pay rent, my expenses (car insurance, gas, food, etc.) and trying to pay down my student loans. As the deadline gets closer, I’m so worried about my mental and physical health. I have been pretty burned out from leaving a toxic job (finally at a better one, but I had to take a pay and benefits cut) and I am have anxiety and depression for which I have been unmedicated. I lost my PCP last year, and I won’t have an appointment with another Dr until this July. I want to take some time off of working before school to help my mental health, but also this would put me in an even worse financial situation (I have no one supporting me).

All this being said, I am worried about going back to school. I have always supported myself with little/no help from anyone (family, partners). I anticipate the cost of this degree being another 75k, without carrying insurance or needing to pay for supervisory training (which will happen around year 2/3). I don’t know if I can afford it. but this has always been my career goal
I am considering if going back to school is a good decision (given how expensive and unpredictable the economy is currently). I’m afraid : of not being able to finish/ afford to finish school I won’t be able to work enough to support myself, or finish my classes. I took 15 credits a semester in undergrad, while working multiple jobs.- but I’m tired!

I also want to be able to move out into an apartment with my boyfriend in the future, have any expendable income, etc. I know going back to school would prohibit that for years. I am beginning to worry if this is the right choice, and whether I should try to pivot and find a new career? I’ve never really considered other career options, and I don’t know if having a B.A. in Psychology will be too limiting.

I am just asking for some other perspectives. I should to talk with my mom about this (not that she helps at all financially), but I am afraid of telling her I’m basically giving up on my dream. I need a few more opinions, before I’m able to approach her.

Thank you all for reading and giving advice!! I really appreciate it!

Hi there! I am reaching out to get some advice and thoughts on getting an online degree in mental health counseling. I'm currently looking at University of the Cumberlands (already applied) and Fort Hays State University as both are in an online format and are CACREP accredited. I live in the state of Ohio and currently work full time (work 3 12s in a hospital.) Any advice on how their online format is and information on either program would be super helpful! I'm happy to hear other suggestions from other colleges as well :)

I have just graduated with a B.S. in psychology. Due to health conditions, I completed my degree through an online university, so I didn‘t get much mentorship. Now, I’ve graduated and I’m not sure what I’m doing. I would like to become a licensed therapist or clinical psychologist and eventually work toward having a private practice. I know clinical psychologists have a PhD, and honestly, I’m not sure I would be qualified to get into the program. I plan to do this at WVU because it is close, affordable and their programs seem decent. I’ve heard the priority is to get the license, regardless of what school it’s from.
I will not be applying to the program until January of 2027 to begin the program in Fall of ’27.

My cumulative GPA is around a 2.8, not as high as I‘d hoped. I haven’t done any research programs or internships, or volunteering. Is that something that would make a real difference? Would it be worth it to reach out to WVU and audit classes or take a few more before applying? Is the GRE worth taking?

I don’t want my GPA to be the only representation of my character, and the 2.8 GPA wasn’t because I was partying or being reckless, I was literally trying to take care of my health. I‘m a first generation college student and graduate, I worked throughout my college career while also managing an autoimmune disorder. I spent most of my degree learning on the fly, since no one around me had ever gotten that far. I just want to represent myself positively and I don’t know if that’s possible at this point? Any tips or advice is appreciated.

Is anyone doing the PhD in Counselor Ed through Kansas State’s online program??? How do you like it??? Is it fully or partially funded??

Current public school teacher in NYC here. I've realized I can't see myself in the classroom long-term, although I do like getting to know students and helping them one-on-one. I'm considering getting a masters in Mental Health Counseling with the goal of one day providing counseling (through telehealth or private practice). My undergrad and grad studies were not in psychology. Are there any programs in NYC that might be suitable for a career changer such as myself?

For those currently in grad programs in NYC, are there any career changers enrolled in your program?

I understand I'd have to take the pre-req courses before applying.

Also, are there any part-time programs? From what I see, the programs in NYC are all full-time. I am currently working full-time and would prefer to continue working for as long as possible if I go back to school.

Thank you!

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I’m currently work in Tech as an engineer but want to switch to counseling in the long run. I found U of Cumberland and it offers part time online program which is exactly what I need.

While classes are manageable, I worried that internship might be hard since I only have weekend and late night available.

I can’t give up tech fully now but curious if anyone managed to have a full time job, complete the degree, internship and get license without quitting your full time.

Disabled counselling trainees are being blocked from qualifying because some professional bodies refuse online placements as a reasonable adjustment even when trainees are fully capable of practising safely and ethically online.

What makes this harder to justify is that some SCoPEd-aligned bodies do allow online placements as reasonable adjustments, while others don’t.

This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about equal access to qualification and whether disabled trainees are being unfairly excluded from the profession.

If you’re a trainee, therapist, tutor, supervisor, placement provider, or disabled professional or anyone affected in our profession please read, sign and share:

https://openletter.earth/demanding-equality-for-disabled-counselling-trainees-376b2817

The profession needs to talk about this

I'm curious what the experience of a mental health counseling masters program is actually like, and if it helps you with psychological healing and coping strategies etc for your own life

Anybody going to PAU for their online masters in counseling? I'm in SoCal and all of the CSU programs are extremely impacted and competitive. PAU is twice the price, but seems more reputable than something like Saybrook in Pasadena. I'm wondering with financial aid if I could stay out of major debt with PAU.

Also I'm curious how the online cohort is. I do like that the classes are synchronous so you actually attend online instead of just getting readings. I'm social and want the community, and think I could possibly meet up with anyone in LA who is in the cohort.

Anyone have any info? Thx!

Has anyone on here ever been in a dual degree program for CMHC and SC then, say, at the end of their program, decided they are fine not doing school counseling and never regretted it? i guess i need validation, HA

Thanks!