• Make a Difference: Help people overcome challenges, heal from trauma, and live healthier lives.

• Variety of Populations and Issues: Work with children, teens, adults, families, or groups on many different behavioral health concerns.

• Every Day is Different: Each client and session is unique, so the work stays interesting and fresh.

• Growth Opportunities: Learn new skills, earn advanced credentials, and choose from many specialties like addiction, family therapy, or trauma counseling.

• Flexibility: Find jobs in schools, clinics, hospitals, private practices, or even offer telehealth from home.

• Strong Job Demand: Mental health professionals are needed now more than ever, which means better job security.

• Creative Approaches: Use music, art, writing, or movement in your work—especially in creative therapy roles.

• Personal Growth: Many counselors say their work helps them better understand themselves and others.

• Teamwork and Support: Collaborate with other professionals like doctors, teachers, and social workers.

• Personal Fulfillment: Experience the satisfaction of contributing to others' mental health.

• Continuous Learning: Engage in ongoing education and professional development.

A career as an LPC offers both personal and professional rewards, allowing you to make a meaningful impact every day.

With a master's degree or higher: 

• Mental Health Therapist

A Licensed Professional Counselor who provides therapy helps people manage mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, and more. They meet with clients to talk about what’s going on, help them set personal goals, and teach healthy ways to cope with tough emotions or life situations. Their support can make a big difference in how people feel, think, and move forward.

• Addiction Therapist

An Addiction Therapist works with people who are struggling with drugs or alcohol. They provide counseling to help clients understand why they use substances and how to make positive changes. They may also run group therapy or support families dealing with addiction. [Learn more about Substance Use Disorder Treatment Careers→]

• Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants work with adults who care for young children, such as  parents,  teachers and child care workers. They help adults understand how to support children’s emotions, behavior, and development. If a child is having a hard time with big feelings or changes, the consultant provides tools and suggestions to help. They don’t usually work one-on-one with children, but they help create safe, caring places for kids to grow. [Learn more about Early Childhood Mental Health careers →]

• Program Manager

A Program Manager plays a vital role in helping to transform the lives of patients. They oversee the day-to-day operations in mental health and/or addiction treatment programs. They collaborate with staff to plan services, manage personnel, and ensure the program meets clients’ needs. In behavioral health, they also track program results and ensure the programs comply with ethical standards and state rules. [Learn more about Management careers→]

• Policy Advocate/ Analyst

A Policy Advocate/Analyst works to change laws or rules to make mental health care better for everyone. They study problems, suggest solutions, and speak up to leaders and lawmakers. Their work helps improve services and support for people across Ohio.  [Learn more about careers in Advocacy →]

• Primary Care Behaviorist

A Primary Care Behaviorist works in a doctor’s office to help patients with mental health, stress, or behavior problems. They’re part of the healthcare team and work closely with primary care providers. If someone is feeling anxious, depressed, or having trouble sleeping, the behaviorist can step in to help right away—often during the same visit! They also provide short-term therapy services and help people make healthy changes, like quitting smoking, managing weight, or dealing with chronic illnesses.

• Clinical Case Manager

A Clinical Case Manager helps people manage their mental health treatment. They connect clients to services, check on their progress, and make sure all parts of their care are working together. They support clients every step of the way on their wellness journey.  [Learn more about careers in Care Coordination →]

• Clinical Supervisor

A Clinical Supervisor is a key leader in the counseling profession, responsible for mentoring less experienced counselors. Clinical supervisors provide feedback, consultations, and evaluations to help develop the skills and knowledge of the counselors they oversee. They review casework to ensure that therapeutic practices meet the ethical and legal standards of the State of Ohio. Clinical supervisors build strong teams, encourage collaboration, and handle conflicts. They also help shape the culture of their organization while making sure that diversity and cultural differences are respected in every part of the process. In Ohio, clinical supervisors need a special supervisory endorsement for their professional license.  [Learn more about careers in Clinical Supervision →]

• Chief Clinical Officer (CCO)

Chief Clinical Officers (CCOs) in behavioral health are top leaders who ensure that people receive high-quality mental health and addiction care. In Ohio, CCOs can work in hospitals, clinics, or community programs. They oversee the provision of services,ensuring they meet state laws and professional standards. They also lead teams of therapists, doctors, and support staff, helping create treatment plans, guide staff training, and make sure patients are treated with respect and safety. CCOs often collaborate with other leaders to develop new programs, manage budgets, and enhance services. [Learn more about careers in Clinical Supervision →]

• Client’s Rights Officer

A Client’s Rights Officer makes sure people receiving mental health or addiction services are treated fairly and with respect. They help protect client rights, listen to complaints, and work to solve problems. They stand up for clients when something feels wrong.  [Learn more about careers in Advocacy →]

• Agency Director

An Agency Director provides the leadership and vision for the organization. They enforce best practices, accreditation, and ethical standards in all aspects of the work— from hiring staff and managing budgets to ensuring clients receive the care they need. They oversee clinical services, office operations, and work with local mental health and recovery boards to advance the mission of the agency to serve the community in the best way possible. [Learn more about Management careers→]

Other job titles you may see:

• School-Based Therapist

• Substance Abuse Counselor

• Crisis Therapist

• School Counselor

• Grief Therapist

The field of counseling offers various career paths, each with the opportunity to make a significant impact on individuals and communities.

• Listen and Learn: Build trust by listening with care and respect to understand each person’s unique story.

• Assess Needs: Help identify mental health challenges, strengths, and goals through conversations and tools.

• Create a Plan: Work together with clients to build a plan that supports their healing and personal growth.

• Provide Therapy: Offer one-on-one, group, or family sessions to talk through emotions, teach coping skills, and explore solutions.

• Support All Identities: Create a safe, welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, cultures, and identities.

• Track Progress: Celebrate successes, adjust plans when needed, and keep moving toward positive change.

• Teach Life Skills: Help clients build healthy habits, solve problems, and improve relationships.

• Partner with Others: Work as a team with doctors, social workers, teachers, and families to give the best care possible.

• Follow a Code of Ethics: Stay professional, protect privacy, and always put the client’s well-being first.

LPCs play a crucial role in supporting clients through various mental health challenges.

[Learn more about Therapy careers →]

• Schools and Universities

• Psychiatric and General Hospitals

• Primary Care Physician’s Offices

• Community Mental Health Centers

• Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers

• Nonprofit Organizations

• Residential Treatment Facilities

• Telehealth Services

• Correctional Facilities

• Faith-Based or Cultural Centers

• Private Practices

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

• Military and Veterans Programs

• Mobile Crisis Teams

• Home Based Services

• Child Care Centers

LPCs are employed in diverse environments, providing services to a wide range of populations.

• Children and Adolescents: Help young people manage emotions, behavior, school challenges, and trauma.

• Adults: Support people through life changes, stress, mental health conditions, and relationship issues.

• Families: Improve communication, strengthen relationships, and solve conflicts at home.

• Older Adults: Address grief, memory loss, loneliness, and other challenges related to aging.

• Individuals with Disabilities: Promote emotional well-being, build coping skills, and support independence.

• People in Crisis: Provide care during emergencies like suicidal thoughts, violence, or natural disasters.

• Veterans and Service Members: Help with trauma, reintegration, and mental health after military service.

• Substance Users and People in Recovery: Support people working to overcome addiction and avoid relapse.

• People Experiencing Homelessness or Poverty: Help address mental health while connecting to needed resources.

• Groups: Lead group sessions where people with similar concerns can learn and heal together.

• Communities: Work with schools, nonprofits, or local agencies to improve mental health in neighborhoods and communities.

Licensed counselors make a difference by helping people feel heard, supported, and empowered—no matter their age or background.

To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Ohio, here’s what you need:

• Bachelor degree: You start with a 4-year bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field.

• Master’s degree in counseling: Next, earn a master’s degree (about 60 credit hours) in clinical mental health counseling or a similar program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Your program must include both practicum and internship steps.

• Practicum (early field experience): At least 100 hours with 40 hours of direct client contact.

• Internship (deeper hands‑on training): Minimum 600 total hours, including 240 direct client hours

In Ohio, you need a license to work as a Licensed Professional Counselor. The following types of licensure is offered by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board: 

LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor): This is the first license you can get after finishing your master's degree in counseling. With an LPC license, you can start working as a counselor, but you must be supervised by a more experienced professional.

LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor): This is the next level of licensure once you have an LPC. As an LPCC you can work independently without a supervisor, open your own practice, and diagnose and treat mental health disorders.

LPCC-S (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervision Designation):With this license, you can supervise LPCs who are working toward their LPCC and help new counselors build skills, stay on track, and follow ethical rules.

Ohio joined the Counseling Compact in 2024–25. This means LPCs licensed in any Compact state can quickly get a compact privilege to practice in other member states without getting a full new license.

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.