Mental health counselors

Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and 

emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals 

deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated 

with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital 

problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, 

interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, verbal interactions were required constantly (every few minutes) for 31.6 percent of mental health counselors, 

and were required not constantly, but more than once per hour for 44.5 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of mental health counselors with cognitive and mental 

requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 72.4 27.6

Interaction with general public >99.5 <0.5

Working around crowds <0.5 >99.5

Telework 23.6 76.4

Work review: Supervising others 10.1 89.9

Work review: Presence of supervisor 20.5 79.5

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 84.2 percent of 

mental health counselors. 

Prior work experience was 

required for 34.4 percent and 

on-the-job training was 

required for 77.6 percent.

A master's degree was 

required for 85.0 percent of 

mental health counselors.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ 

critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of mental health 

counselors were not exposed to extreme cold, and 

greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to 

extreme heat. Wetness was not present for greater 

than 90 percent, greater than 99.5 percent were not 

exposed to heavy vibrations, and 89.7 percent were 

not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to 

perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in 

some cases, duration of these activities are 

published.

In 2023, keyboarding was required for greater 

than 99.5 percent of mental health counselors 

and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. 

For less than 0.5 percent of workers, 

keyboarding was seldom performed, for 76.0 

percent keyboarding occurred occasionally, 

24.0 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 

percent keyboarding occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required 

for 12.2 percent of mental health counselors 

and was not required for 87.8 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 88.7 percent of mental health counselors. On 

average, workers spent 85.3 percent of the workday sitting and 14.7 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of mental health counselors with physical demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 88.7 11.3

Driving 32.7 67.3

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 16.5 83.5

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey