Posted on February 4, 2010.
How is the job market and salary range in counseling and psychotherapy? I want to go back to university and get my master's degree in counseling and psychotherapy, nobody knows how the market is working and what is the salary range?
Employment of counselors is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. However, employment growth varies by location and occupational specialty. Job prospects should be good due to growth and the need to replace those leaving the field.
overall employment of counselors is expected to increase by 21 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is much faster than average for all occupations. However, growth should vary according to specialty.
The use of substance abuse and behavioral counselors will grow by 34 per cent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. As society becomes more knowledgeable about addiction, it is increasingly common for people to seek treatment. In addition, drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than prison.
The use of educational, vocational and school counselors should grow by 13 per cent, which is almost as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for career counselors or career that is expected to grow more jobs and career changes become common and as workers become increasingly aware of counseling services. In addition, state and local governments employ a growing number of counselors to assist beneficiaries of welfare programs who exhaust their eligibility and must find a job. Other opportunities for employment counselors will arise in employment centers, private training providers that offer training and other services to displaced workers and others who seek to acquire new skills or careers. Demand for school counselors may increase due largely to increased enrollment in schools and colleges of advanced education and that several states require elementary schools to employ advisers. Expanded responsibilities for school counselors should also lead to increased employment. For example, counselors are increasingly involved in crisis and preventive counseling, helping students deal with issues ranging from drug and alcohol abuse to death and suicide. Although schools and governments realize the value of advisors to help students with academic success, budget constraints at all grade levels will dampen job growth of school counselors. Federal grants and subsidies may help to compensate for tight budgets and allow the reduction of the adviser-student ratios continue.
The use of mental health counselors is expected to grow by 30 per cent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Mental health counselors are needed to staff statewide networks that are established to improve services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances and their families. Under the management of health care systems, insurance companies are increasingly reimbursement of counselors as a less costly alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists.
Jobs for rehabilitation counselors are expected to grow by 23 per cent, which is much faster than the average for all professions. The number of people who will need rehabilitation counseling is expected to grow as advances in medical technology allow more people to survive injury or illness and live independently again. In addition, legislation requiring equal employment rights for persons with disabilities will spur demand for counselors, who not only help these people make the transition to the labor market, but also help companies comply with the law .
Marriage and family therapists will grow by 30 per cent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This is due in part to increased recognition of the field. It is more common for people to seek help for their marriage.