A 6-Step Guide for Starting a Career in Mental Healthcare

The need for mental healthcare experts is growing. It’s not that mental illness has become so rampant. A greater focus on mental wellness has caused a surge in the demand for professionals in the field.

Joining the mental healthcare sector guarantees consistent career progression. It encompasses numerous other fields in both private and public categories. Moreover, new technology is opening up new possibilities for mental healthcare practitioners to advance.

Whether you’re still in the process of choosing a college major or looking to make the switch to a career in psychiatry, it’s still a great time as any to make your move in this thriving industry. Read the guide below and start your journey to a successful career as a mental healthcare expert.

1. Clarify your goals

A career in psychiatry or mental healthcare is right for you if it’s built on solid principles. If not, you can end up wasting time and money preparing for an industry you’re not even a good fit for. Even though being a psychiatrist is frequently associated with a sense of prestige, you shouldn’t let that be your primary driving force for entering the field.

Consider personal principles you hold dear. If you have a heart for service or have a genuine passion to help people who are depressed or are suffering from alcohol addiction, then you’ll know the field is right for you. Don’t focus on the money you’ll be making as a practitioner. Instead, focus on the lives you will help transform.

2. Know which career path you’ll take

Specifying your objectives will help you choose a career trajectory. Before selecting a training program or college course, this should be done. You currently have a variety of options to think about. Maybe you want to be a neuropsychologist or a school counselor. Perhaps a job as a social worker in mental health appeals to you.

Whichever the case, it’s crucial to pick a professional path you believe most closely adheres to your values and vision. Having it sorted out will make it simpler for you to receive the training you require to fulfill the role. 

3. Acquire formal education

Like any other role in the medical sector, building a career as a mental health expert requires serious training. Not everyone can do what an occupational psychiatrist does because there’s a whole ocean of principles, theories, and ethical concepts to learn to do the job well. For that, choose an undergraduate degree from an institution that’s known globally for quality training in the field you have chosen. 

In case you’re switching careers, you can opt for diploma programs and short courses accredited by your state. Keep in mind that not many of these programs will automatically qualify you for a licensure exam that’s required before practicing. 

4. Get as much hands-on experience

You can learn a great deal outside of the lecture hall about the field you wish to work in. How much you are exposed to real-world scenarios will determine a large portion of your understanding of how mental healthcare professionals operate in the real world. Internships and residency programs offer the most effective opportunities for gaining practical experience.

Another option is to handle volunteer work. Find a non-profit organization that offers mental healthcare services to marginalized communities and start taking up administrative roles. Your exposure to actual work environments will give you everything you need to know about the field. This will prove valuable once you begin working in a public institution or as a private practitioner. 

5. Learn the best practices from veterans

Practitioners who have worked in the field for many years can fill you in on the most important elements of managing a career in the mental healthcare sector. These may range from basic practice management principles to more creative areas like marketing your services and generating therapy referrals through past clients.

It pays to build networks with professionals in the field. Professors and even friends and family members you know who are active in the mental healthcare sector are great sources of information that will support your journey. 

6. Get a license

Completing your professional education is only a part of the process. Becoming a full-fledged mental healthcare practitioner won’t be complete without a license. Exams for licensing assess your knowledge of and aptitude for handling actual situations of mental illness. Many of these exams are given on a nationwide level, but you will often need to pass one in your state and field. 

You must take the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination and obtain at least a passing score if you want to work as a mental health counselor. This will require a few extra months of studying, but it will all be worthwhile once you have finally obtained your license and started working your dream job!

All you need to start a successful career in the mental health sector is to follow the guide above and navigate your way toward transforming lives and helping others.