LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor

Embarking on a journey to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) opens doors to a fulfilling career dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges. This profession attracts those who have a passion for understanding human behavior and a deep commitment to aiding others in achieving mental and emotional well-being.
As you consider counseling degree programs, it's important to recognize the vital role LPCs play in mental health care, offering therapy and support to a diverse range of clients. This article aims to guide prospective students through the essential aspects of becoming an LPC, highlighting the educational pathways, licensing requirements, and the impactful nature of this rewarding profession.

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What Is a Licensed Professional Counselor?

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is a mental health professional who provides counseling services to individuals, families, and groups. Trained in various therapeutic techniques, LPCs address a wide range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to relationship challenges and life transitions. To become an LPC, one must complete a master's degree in counseling or a related field, accrue supervised clinical experience, and pass a state licensure exam. This designation is not just a title but a commitment to ethical practice, ongoing education, and a deep understanding of human behavior and mental health.

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What Is an LPC Degree?

The approximately 33,000 individuals who hold LPC licensure are part of a larger community of well over 120,000 individuals who work in the mental health field. An LPC degree is one that prepares a student to qualify to take the LPC licensure examination.  The LPC credentials represent an advanced degree and prepare individuals as leaders in the mental health field.

Some people choose this path as early as high school. High school students should focus on elective classes that deal with science and mathematics to help them prepare for college and graduate-level courses. Additionally, courses dealing with the human condition, such as addiction and psychology, will prove beneficial. High school students should also seek volunteer opportunities in their community to help people in crisis.

Undergraduate degrees deemed especially helpful on the path to an LPC degree may include Psychology, Social Work, and Counseling. However, some people may completely change career paths after achieving an undergraduate degree in another field and decide to acquire an LPC degree. This path may require taking more prerequisite classes, but the goal is still achievable.

There is not a degree program that will earn you an LPC To achieve the title of LPC, you minimally need to complete a degree at the master's level from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition to coursework, the LPC degree program will also include a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. The coursework and experience will focus on core knowledge areas, ethical practices, effective counseling strategies, and human behavior and development.

Licensure requirements vary from state to state. Minimally, candidates must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or another state-recognized examination. Licensed individuals must also adhere to a strict Code of Ethics as defined by the state's counselor licensure board. Additionally, continuous education represents a core requirement to keep up with the industry's practices, advancements, and other changes.

Benefits of Earning a Degree

Earning a degree in counseling is a critical step towards a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor. This educational journey offers:

  • Deep Understanding of Mental Health: You gain comprehensive knowledge about psychological theories, human development, and effective therapeutic techniques.
  • Development of Counseling Skills: Courses and practical training refine your ability to listen, empathize, and guide clients towards solutions.
  • Career Versatility: With a counseling degree, you’re not limited to one specialization. You can work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, private practice, and community organizations.

A degree in counseling doesn’t just signify academic achievement; it lays the groundwork for a career devoted to making a positive impact on individuals and communities.

Benefits of Becoming an LPC

There are a number of benefits associated with becoming a licensed professional counselor:

  • Professional Recognition: Being licensed lends credibility and recognition to your practice.
  • Opportunity to Make a Difference: You’ll have a direct impact on people’s lives, helping them navigate and overcome mental health challenges.
  • Diverse Career Opportunities: LPCs can specialize in areas like addiction, family therapy, or child and adolescent therapy, opening doors to varied career paths.
  • Potential for Private Practice: Licensing allows you to establish your own practice, giving you control over your work environment and clientele.
  • Continual Growth and Learning: The field requires ongoing education, ensuring you stay updated with the latest in mental health care.

Becoming an LPC not only advances your professional life but also enriches your personal growth, as you continuously learn and contribute to the field of mental health.

What Is an LPC License for Professional Counselors?

Before pursuing the achievement of obtaining LPC licensure, consider your career goals along with your personal situation and family obligations. Becoming licensed as a professional counselor requires commitment and hard work involving hours of coursework and study and extensive clinical experience.

Completing the coursework from an accredited university and the internship and supervised clinical work takes most of the time when pursuing LPC licensure. The time commitment for the course may take two years or more, with another two years expected to fulfill the internship. The final step involves setting up your National Counselor Examination in your state.

The requirements for sitting for and passing the LPC licensure exam vary from state to state, so make sure you understand the expectations of your state board. Additionally, if you reside in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, you will also need a license to work as a mental health counselor.

Pursuing an LPC license makes sense for those serious about a career in mental health counseling. It conveys to your employer and client that you possess the knowledge and completed the training to provide comprehensive care.

It also enables clients to use their health insurance to cover your services confidently.

An LPC license also gives you more opportunities to participate in interstate events and conferences and sets you up for advanced and additional educational opportunities.

Types of Online LPC Degree Programs

Achieving a graduate degree in mental health counseling and receiving your national certification and licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) opens up many career options. When considering your online degree, you may choose one that complements your career path or one that caters to a more generalized one. Below are a few examples of degree programs to consider when planning your LPC journey.

Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Often, students pursuing LPC credentials choose a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. This program teaches students about the analysis and diagnostic process. It prepares them to work with the public and assist clients based on their family history and diagnosis. It also thoroughly covers treatment options in accordance with the clients’ symptoms. This particular degree program provides a more generalized path, leaving the student with many directions to focus their career.

Online Master’s in Group or Family Counseling

The Group and Family Counseling degree provide an ideal opportunity for individuals who have a passion for working with families and other groups. Whether counseling couples, parents, and children or working to resolve workplace conflicts, the curriculum in this program gives you the tools and information you need for success. Throughout the United States, you will find CACREP online programs fitting this description that will help you achieve licensure.

  • FAQ: Is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) the same as a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)? Find out in our LPC vs LMFT comparison article.

Online Master’s in Counseling – Youth, Adolescent, or Geriatrics

Those who prefer to work with a specific age group may seek a counseling program specializing in one particular age group. Programs exist that focus on youth, adolescents, teenagers, and the senior population or geriatrics. Adolescents present a pivotal time when teens require social guidance. With the baby boomer generation continuing to age, the need for LPCs in the geriatric field continues to grow. These programs teach you the skills to deal with the needs of a particular segment of the population.

How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor

If you possess the compassion and drive to become a Licensed Professional Counselor with hard work and perseverance, it represents a career path achievable at almost any age. Again, some people pursue this vocation because of a positive experience with a counselor who helped them turn their lives around. Consider the following steps for those who find their calling earlier in life.

  • Take science, math, and courses focusing on the human condition, such as Psychology in high school.
  • Volunteer at places that need a helping hand, such as homeless shelters, food banks, crisis nurseries, or nursing homes.
  • When selecting an undergraduate program, ensure it is from an accredited college or university where your credits and program will transfer to a master’s program.
  • Consider an undergraduate degree in a related field such as Counseling, Psychology, Mental Health, or something in the medical or health services area.
  • Before enrolling in a master’s program, check with your state to ensure its accreditation qualifies you to sit for the licensure exam.
  • Once enrolled in your graduate program, establish a network to pursue future career or educational opportunities. Networking may also help with setting up your internship and required clinical hours.

Check with your state regarding the requirements for taking the licensure exam after receiving your graduate diploma.

Counseling Certification Paths

With an LPC degree, you may take your career in several different directions. Some LPC practitioners work in a clinical setting; others prefer a school setting or even a private practice.

Mental Health

Most LPCs work in a public health clinic or private practice, offering one-on-one services and group therapy to needy clients. These types of facilities are found predominantly in urban settings.

Healthcare

There is an excellent need for LPCs in a medical setting such as a hospital. Many people find themselves experiencing grief or loss in these institutions. Patients diagnosed with a severe illness may also seek the help of an LPC or mental health counselor. Many hospitals keep LPCs on call as they may need their services at a moment’s notice.

Education

LPCs who work in a school or educational setting help students of all ages with problems related to school and their personal lives. These LPCs also help high school students with their college plans. Many times, these professionals may find themselves working on awareness programs related to the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse as well as bullying.

An LPC degree allows students to design their program, clinical studies, internship, and other aspects of their portfolio to align with their career goals. Students and professionals may also add certifications throughout their careers to expand their education and expertise. Many professionals find that adding certifications throughout their careers helps them advance and perform their positions more effectively. Some of the certifications that students may want to explore include the following:

  • Addiction Counseling
  • Loss and Grief Therapy
  • LGBTQ Counseling
  • Guidance Counseling
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Adolescent Counseling
  • Marriage Counseling
  • Foster Care Counseling

Typical Licensed Professional Counselor Salary

The salary of an LPC can vary widely depending on job title, employer, experience, and location. Take a look at some career options and their average national salary to get a better sense of salary expectations..

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Professionals in this field, as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, advise and support clients struggling with substance abuse, mental health issues, and behavioral disorders. While entry-level positions may require a bachelor’s degree, the scope of practice and salary prospects expand with advanced education and experience. The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $49,710 as of May 2022. Those employed in hospitals and private settings often have higher wages, with a median salary of $54,740 in such environments. The field is witnessing a robust growth rate, with an 18% projected increase in employment from 2022 to 2032, indicating a strong demand for these professionals in the coming years.

Marriage and Family Therapists

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) play a crucial role in addressing relational dynamics and mental health within families and couples. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for MFTs as of May 2022 was $56,570. This field offers a range of employment settings, impacting salary potential. For instance, MFTs in state government roles, excluding education and hospitals, earned a median of $77,000, while those in outpatient care centers earned around $59,870. Offices of other health practitioners and individual and family services offered median wages of $50,920 and $50,370, respectively.

The job market for MFTs is on an encouraging upward trend, with a projected growth rate of 15% from 2022 to 2032. This rate is much faster than the average for all occupations, indicating a robust demand for these professionals. Approximately 5,900 job openings for MFTs are expected annually over the decade, mostly due to the need to replace workers transitioning to other careers or retiring. This growth is reflective of the increasing recognition of the importance of mental health and relationship wellness in society.

School and Career Counselors and Advisors

School and career counselors and advisors hold a pivotal role in guiding individuals through their educational and professional pathways. As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these professionals earned a median annual wage of $60,140 as of May 2022. Earnings can vary significantly based on the workplace setting. For instance, those employed in elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private, earned a median wage of $65,930, while their counterparts in junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools earned around $50,370. Those working in healthcare and social assistance settings earned a median of $39,650.

The job market for school and career counselors and advisors is expected to grow by 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, indicating a faster growth rate than the average for all occupations. This growth is due in part to an increasing focus on career development in educational institutions and a heightened awareness of the importance of mental health and academic advising in schools. Approximately 26,600 job openings are projected annually over the decade, largely to replace professionals retiring or transferring to other occupations​.

Get Started on Your LPC Degree by Pursuing an Accredited Master’s Degree

If you are a compassionate individual who needs to help others and seek knowledge regarding mental health and the human condition, consider a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor or LPC.

Students holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university can pursue their goal to achieve an LPC degree today. Explore master’s degrees in an aspect of mental health counseling that aligns with your skills and passions. Accredited online degrees also provide guidance to students regarding internships and clinical setting requirements for licensure.

People who achieve their LPC degrees may select from many career choices. It makes sense to talk with a school counselor, academic advisor, or career counselor to help you get on the right path to pursuing your career goals.

Remember that continued education and experience in the mental health counseling field also set you up for future careers in research, writing, and academia. Feel good about your career choice by helping others and giving back to the community.

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