Mental Health Counseling in Kansas
Kansas is a leading agricultural state, ranking 7th in the US for production. Its top crops include wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybeans. As a result, manufacturing is the state's top industry, supporting food processing. Kansas also has a strong mining sector, with petroleum, natural gas, helium, limestone, and salt being key resources.
Mental health counselors specialize in psychological disorders and use psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients address their challenges. They must hold a master’s degree and be licensed to provide therapy as a licensed professional counselor. While they may oversee medication management, only medical doctors can prescribe psychiatric drugs.
Some mental health workers, such as those in drug and alcohol rehabilitation or clinics, may not have advanced degrees but are essential to mental health institutions. While some, like addiction counselors, may hold state licensure, those credentials are not sufficient for conducting one-on-one psychotherapy.
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Online Mental Health Counseling Education in Kansas
The Kansas economy extends beyond natural resources. Its top five industries include real estate, professional services, social services (such as education), and wholesale trade, likely related to processed food production. Other key sectors include finance and information, showing that Kansas is keeping up with global trends.
An often-overlooked sector in the Kansas economy is clinical mental health counseling. While it falls under the state’s 4th largest industry, alongside education, social assistance, and healthcare, the demand for mental healthcare professionals remains strong. Those facing trauma, loss, or hardship require support to overcome their challenges. Access to quality mental healthcare helps individuals become more resilient, happier, and productive in the economy.
Kansas ensures its workforce is supported by strong psychology and counseling degree programs at its colleges and universities. Public funds help attract top academic talent, support research, and recruit new faculty. Students aiming to become licensed professional counselors (LPCs) may need to take the National Counselor Exam after completing their degree, but first, they must choose a counseling program.
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Online Associates (AS)
Mental healthcare careers can begin with an associate counseling degree. While Kansas requires a master’s degree for psychotherapy licensure, a community college degree can help launch your career. While some states offer addictions counseling licensure with an associate degree, Kansas requires a bachelor’s for this. However, this degree does not grant licensure as a professional counselor outside of addictions counseling.
An associate counseling degree is a great first step for many reasons. For starters, an associate degree requires that students complete the core college curriculum. With those courses out of the way, those who want to earn a full bachelor’s counseling degree can concentrate exclusively on their degree-specific courses once they enter a four-year college or university.
Online Bachelors (BS)
A bachelor’s counseling degree is a very strong first step on the way to a career in mental healthcare. Employers like to hire workers with a bachelor’s degree because those candidates have delved deeper into their chosen subject and are likely more invested in making it a career. However, a bachelor’s counseling degree still isn't quite enough to earn full licensure as a counselor.
A bachelor’s degree is still valuable, allowing graduates to counsel individuals in non-psychotherapeutic settings. A strong understanding of human behavior is useful across many careers. Those seeking psychotherapy licensure can use their bachelor’s to pursue a master’s in mental health counseling. Additionally, a bachelor’s degree can lead to licensure in addiction counseling, offering a long-term career in that field.
Online Masters (MS)
A master’s mental health counseling degree is essential for licensure as an independent counselor. It requires supervised practice, an exam, background check, and other qualifications. Master's students can specialize in areas like school, family, career, clinical, substance abuse, crisis management, and more.
A master’s counseling degree often involves intensive academic work but also internships where students apply their knowledge. These internships are often in free counseling clinics where students may meet some very challenging clients. Students are also asked to do a great deal of self-examination during this period. In fact, a master’s counseling degree is tantamount to two years of psychotherapy for many students. This process helps budding counselors learn more about the process from a first-hand point of view. The experience should help them more closely identify with their clients while providing them with enhanced objectivity and empathy.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
A PhD in mental health counseling is highly regarded, granting the title of psychologist with higher status and pay. Psychologists can charge higher hourly rates from insurance companies due to their expertise. The doctoral status also helps with publishing opportunities and opens doors to new career paths.
A PhD can also lead to a career in academia for those who choose that route. Though colleges often hire instructors who have a master’s degree, those positions are often part-time, adjunct positions. A PhD can lead to a full-time, tenured position which essentially ensures a permanent job. Some who receive their PhD alter course a bit and focus on research psychology rather than clinical work. They can then take positions as research faculty in which they are solely concerned with writing grants and conducting research.
Become a Mental Health Counselor in Kansas
- Step 1: Bachelor's
- Step 2: Master's Degree
- Step 3: Gain Supervised Clinical Experience
- Step 4: Pass the Required Exams
- Step 5: Apply for Licensure
- Step 6: Complete Continuing Education and Maintain Licensure
- Step 7: Pursue Specializations or Advanced Certifications (Optional)
You'll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, human services, or a related field. Some entry-level positions in mental health counseling can be pursued with this degree.
Enroll in a master's program in mental health counseling or a related field. Complete the required coursework and clinical training.
Complete a specified number of hours of supervised clinical practice, often as part of your master's program. This experience is crucial for licensure and gaining hands-on counseling skills.
Take and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or other state-required exams, such as the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Submit your application to the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Ensure all requirements are met, including educational qualifications, supervised experience, and exam results.
Once licensed, you’ll need to complete continuing education to maintain your LPC license. Participate in workshops, seminars, and courses to stay current in the field.
After gaining experience, you may pursue additional certifications or specializations in areas like marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, or school counseling. This may enhance career opportunities and expertise.
If you're interested in becoming a mental health counselor in Kansas, you'll need to follow specific steps. First, you'll need a bachelor's degree, typically in psychology, covering topics like research methods and theory of personality. Make sure the program is accredited and offers counseling-specific courses.
Next, a master’s degree is required. The Kansas board mandates 60 graduate hours, including 45 hours of counseling-focused coursework. Key areas of study include theory and practice, a helping relationship, individual appraisal, research, and a supervised practicum/internship. You'll also need to pass a required exam.
The practicum requires at least 280 hours of direct client contact, including assessments or psychotherapy. After completing your master’s program, you'll need 2 years (3,000 hours) of supervised experience, including 1,500 hours of psychotherapy.
You have options for your graduate degree. Many choose a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, which can lead to a PhD and the title of psychologist. Alternatively, a Master of Social Work (MSW) can also lead to a career in counseling or social work.
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- Psychiatric Aides
These mental health workers assist psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists in their daily work. Aides may help to restrain patients who are experiencing a disturbance but normally they help distribute medications, manage patient movements, and other tasks. Psychiatric aides in Kansas don't currently need a special state credential but some states, such as California, do have licensure requirements. - Mental Health Counselor
These mental healthcare professionals must hold a master’s degree in clinical psychology or perhaps a Master of Social Work. Each counselor must earn their licensure from their state by completing the requisite number of supervised hours, both while as a student and after graduation. Counselors must also pass an exam and show proof that they are fit to serve the general public. - Social Worker (LCSW)
A licensed clinical social worker is a mental healthcare worker who has been licensed by the state to conduct one-on-one psychotherapy. They can also open a private counseling practice. Since their degree is a Master of Social Work, LCSWs often enjoy the fact that they can work in the social work field. In fact, some may use their credentials to work part-time as social workers on top of a private counseling practice. - Case Manager
These social workers are often required to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or some related field. The duties of a case manager are mostly administrative in that they help clients find the resources they need and then follow up with the client to monitor their success. - Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs are near the top of their profession. Registered nurses may take on a specialty in their career such as surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, or oncological nursing. Some nurses work in mental health as psychiatric nurses. Registered nursing requires state credentials and significant coursework. - Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
This entry-level healthcare profession is a great way to get started in the field. CNAs are certified by the state and are highly valued on hospital wards. Their duties often involve the more menial tasks such as assisting patients with hygienic matters, transporting patients to appointments, and perhaps custodial tasks. The educational requirements for this position are nominal, so getting started working as a CNA is a good option for many. - Psychiatrist
To become a psychiatrist, it is necessary to complete medical school. Medical doctors then work through a psychiatric residency before entering the workforce. Psychiatrists spend most of their time evaluating patient blood samples and moderating medications. Since the rise in psychiatric drugs, the profession has mostly moved away from psychotherapy, though many still do use talk therapy in conjunction with medications. - Career Counselor
These counselors needn't earn a state license, but they typically are required to have a master’s degree in their field. Career counselors work on university campuses where they help students achieve their career goals. A big part of their work involves arranging career fairs and other campus events that expose students to career opportunities with local and national firms.
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