Need Advice On Becoming A Licensed Mental Health Counselor

[XNutty98]

Here's my info:

Your Location: New York (moving to VA or FL in 18 months)
Your Age: 42
What kind of degree do you want?: MA in counseling, psychology, or similar. 
Current Regionally Accredited Credits: 128 (Finishing UMPI CRJ this term. 14 classes in 1 term. Rest of credits come from Sophia)
Any certifications or military experience?: No
Budget: $20,000
Commitments: I own a business and only work about 5 hours a week.
Dedicated time to study: 30+ hours a week
Timeline: 1 Year without clinical work which I believe is 1,000 hours.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: I'm paying for myself.

So far, I looked at Kairos, but I can't find much information about them and don't know how legit they are. I would REALLY prefer CBE if possible because I really like to get through classes quickly (I have the time). I also looked at LU, but they won't take me because I currently live in NY, and their licensing programs aren't available here. 

My END goal is to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, so if there's a better path, I'm all for it. My thought was to get the LPC and do therapy while I go on to ABSN and then a practitioner program.

Thanks!!!

[ss20ts]

To become an NP, you need an RN first. I would start there.

https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/nur...quirements

[Heartstrings]

For the therapist part I would start by looking at your states you're interested in living in the requirements for becoming a therapist. Some states require CACREP accreditation and other states do not. Then choose your school based on that. With mental health counseling master's programs CACREP is the gold standard. I have worked in the counseling/ human services field for over 20 years. I suggest you take whatever time is needed to complete your program. You are going to be working with people who have serious mental health issues and you want to go through a class as fast as possible. I personally would be disappointed if my counselor completed a course in two weeks. On that note I don't think there are any license-eligible programs that are CBE. As the person stated above if your end goal is to become an NP then you have to start with your BSN. You can get your BSN and then apply to a counseling program and then later a NP program.

[XNutty98]

For the therapist part I would start by looking at your states you're interested in living in the requirements for becoming a therapist. Some states require CACREP accreditation and other states do not. Then choose your school based on that. With mental health counseling master's programs CACREP is the gold standard. I have worked in the counseling/ human services field for over 20 years. I suggest you take whatever time is needed to complete your program. You are going to be working with people who have serious mental health issues and you want to go through a class as fast as possible. I personally would be disappointed if my counselor completed a course in two weeks. On that note I don't think there are any license-eligible programs that are CBE. As the person stated above if your end goal is to become an NP then you have to start with your BSN. You can get your BSN and then apply to a counseling program and then later a NP program.

I hear what you're saying about going through the classes quickly. The thing is, I've been working with people for 17 years that have serious mental issues. Not all of them but a lot of them. My issue is that I spend probably 70% of my time running the company and 30% of the time actually working with people. I want to be able to spend all of my time working with the people and I'd honestly do it for free if I could. What I've found, after working with over 300,000 people (mostly groups, courses, events, etc. but some one on one) is that what they really care about is the results they get from the help you're providing. For example, if I was depressed and went to someone who dramatically changed my life in 2 sessions but went through classes in 2 weeks, I'm perfectly fine with that. On the other hand, if I went to someone who went to school for 12 years and it took them 6 months to get anywhere with me, I wouldn't be happy. The result is all that matters and that's what people pay for.

I do agree that the BSN is the way to go and I most likely will eventually get to that point. Right now though, I just want to officially get into the field, exit my business, and just focus on helping a lot of the same people I help now but without having to actually run a business.

[Stonybeach]

Congratulations on finishing up your bachelor's with UMPI. Many Psych NP programs are now at the DNP level. The Accelerated entry BSN/RN-second bachelor program is around 12 to 18 months full-time if you have the prerequisites, and the DNP Psych NP full-time program is at least 3 years long and usually requires at least one year of RN experience to be accepted. Additionally, check the state you want to practice in for details on post-graduate supervised psych np requirements until full autonomy. My state requires 3500 hours. My point is that it is a long journey, but if that is your goal, go for it! There are master-level psych NP programs, but I don't think you are saving much time or money, and the "new" entry to practice is the DNP.

*Link to a NY school (Take note of the prerequisites, which may require a year to complete): https://nursing.stonybrookmedicine.edu/u...calaureate

BS to Psych NP timeline: 1 year prerequisites + 1 year ABSN + 1 year RN experience +3 years Psych NP with DNP = 6 years. In my state, add two more years of clinical experience to practice with full autonomy. You will eat, breathe, sleep, and crap nursing for 6 to 8 years full-time!

Entering a master's level clinical mental health counselor program and graduating within two years is reasonable and an excellent entry into practice! I am curious if there are one-year programs that lead to licensure, but I doubt it because they require 60 credits and many clinical hours. Your bachelor's from UMPI should get you into a reputable program with the possibility of taking some prerequisites. Go for a reputable accredited program!

*Link to Liberty University, a CACREP accredited school! https://www.liberty.edu/online/behaviora...ounseling/

Prerequisites: "Students must have 3 credit hours in statistics (ex: MATH 201) either on their transcripts or must complete this requirement as a prerequisite to specific graduate courses."

*I am not endorsing any school but reference them to understand what to expect when pursuing these pathways with accredited programs. Additionally, after graduation, expect to study full-time for three months to prepare for the board exams. NCLEX, PSYCH-NP certification, Mental Health Counselor certification, etc.

[Stonybeach]

Obviously, the two professions are completely different in scope and practice, with the job outlook very promising! I'm excited for you!

[Heartstrings]

For the therapist part I would start by looking at your states you're interested in living in the requirements for becoming a therapist. Some states require CACREP accreditation and other states do not. Then choose your school based on that. With mental health counseling master's programs CACREP is the gold standard. I have worked in the counseling/ human services field for over 20 years. I suggest you take whatever time is needed to complete your program. You are going to be working with people who have serious mental health issues and you want to go through a class as fast as possible. I personally would be disappointed if my counselor completed a course in two weeks. On that note I don't think there are any license-eligible programs that are CBE. As the person stated above if your end goal is to become an NP then you have to start with your BSN. You can get your BSN and then apply to a counseling program and then later a NP program.

I hear what you're saying about going through the classes quickly. The thing is, I've been working with people for 17 years that have serious mental issues. Not all of them but a lot of them. My issue is that I spend probably 70% of my time running the company and 30% of the time actually working with people. I want to be able to spend all of my time working with the people and I'd honestly do it for free if I could. What I've found, after working with over 300,000 people (mostly groups, courses, events, etc. but some one on one) is that what they really care about is the results they get from the help you're providing. For example, if I was depressed and went to someone who dramatically changed my life in 2 sessions but went through classes in 2 weeks, I'm perfectly fine with that. On the other hand, if I went to someone who went to school for 12 years and it took them 6 months to get anywhere with me, I wouldn't be happy. The result is all that matters and that's what people pay for.

I do agree that the BSN is the way to go and I most likely will eventually get to that point. Right now though, I just want to officially get into the field, exit my business, and just focus on helping a lot of the same people I help now but without having to actually run a business.

I am not saying you can't do it but I am really unaware of any mental health issues being solved in 2 sessions.we start out first with immediate goals in the first 30 days and start to develop the treatment plan from there for 90s days, 6 months, and so forth. Even mental health issues involving psychiatric medication can take months to adjust and sometimes years to find the right medication. Let alone talk therapy. I think you have achievable goals just trying to be realistic on the time frame. I also looking out for patient safety. Even in classes that are not practicum or internship you learn and practice communication skills with your clients. Something I don't think can be achieved in a two week CBE session.

---

Ì wanted to add too that even if you're not working for yourself you will be working for a business. Very rarely will they allow you to terminate therapy with a client after 2 sessions. Like I said you're working for a business that is how they make their money and that is also in the case with grant funded programs. The business that has a grant has to show that the services are needed in the community so they can get additional years of funding. If the session ends after 2 sessions it doesn't look like the services are really needed.

[bjcheung77]

For any profession that requires certification or licensure, it's best to decide (if you have a few pathways to get there) which method you want to use to obtain the requirement. I highly suggest getting in contact with your state agency on prerequisites, regulations and rules, etc. Once you have the needed details, create a pathway and update us with this sample pathway.

Essentially, you want to have a short list of institutions that you're really interested in, the degree/program should be within your budget, time, etc. You should also have a backup option just in case you change your mind, update us with all this info and we can provide further advice. I would review similar positions that require licensing and see if those fit your needs as well.

[rixbae]

The other option for being a therapist is Clinical Social Work. Which requires a Masters of Socail Work from a CSWE Accredited school, it's possible you could also take some Healthcare related courses in the Program. I have an MSW and am licensed to practice therapy in VA, FL and MD and work entirely online.

[SteveFoerster]

This is not really my strong suit, but my understanding is that there are some counseling programs that have add-ons that allow for the ability to write prescriptions. If that's why you want to become a nurse practitioner, when it would otherwise not really seem to enhance your goal of being a counselor, then ask questions about this as an alternative.