Clinical Mental Health Counseling
At Stetson, our Clinical Mental Health Counseling program equips you with the skills and knowledge to help clients in various mental health settings. You'll gain theoretical knowledge and practical methods to pursue a career in public or private mental health agencies, including inpatient, outpatient and other clinical settings. Our Department of Counselor Education emphasizes educating students from diverse academic, geographic, religious/spiritual, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
You'll learn ethical behavior, develop personal strengths and fulfill professional counseling responsibilities, applying these skills to support a culturally diverse clientele.
Stetson's program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Upon completing the degree, you can apply for licensure as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern.
Why Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Stetson University?
In our Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, we aim to train you to become an exceptional leader in the field of clinical mental health counseling. Our curriculum adheres to the highest standards set by the American Counseling Association. Faculty members in the Counselor Education program are active practitioners and researchers deeply engaged in the counseling profession.
Our accreditation by CACREP ensures a rigorous curriculum and comprehensive fieldwork supervision, ensuring you receive top-notch training.
We prioritize your support throughout your journey. The Department of Counselor Education, Stetson's Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Student Success provide robust support and encouragement. This empowers you with the tools and resilience needed for a successful path in counseling.
Learn more about the Department of Counselor Education.
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“I saw a small quiet introverted child come out of her shell in her own way, and in her own time. I saw a vivacious outgoing powerful little girl find a way to be strong without intimidating others. I saw a little boy dealing with the arrival of a new baby in his home learn to adapt to the changes that were happening.”
Melissa Basso ’19 Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
“We create a treatment plan that is solely based on the child’s individual needs. Children will present their needs, wants, wishes and fears, but we sometimes have to listen in unconventional ways to truly understand them. Through playful interactions, we are allowing the child to process their situation and learn new ways of coping.”
Gloria Lopez ’19 Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Career Outcomes
In our counseling program, 95% of graduates seeking employment in the profession are currently working as professional counselors. This program prepares you for state-regulated professional licensure or certification. Upon graduation, you are eligible to apply to the State of Florida as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE), and accumulate the necessary hours to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) under qualified supervision.
Additionally, the Department of Counselor Education collaborates with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) to offer advanced students the opportunity to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the NCMHCE. Successfully passing these exams, along with completing other requirements, allows you to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and/or a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC). This credentialing saves you two years of post-master’s experience typically required to earn these distinctions. Graduation from a CACREP-accredited program, which aligns with the CACREP model of licensure, significantly enhances your ability to obtain licensure across different states.
Our graduates find employment in various settings, including local community agencies like Halifax Behavioral Health, Aspire Health Systems, Florida Hospital DeLand, and La Amistad Behavioral Health, as well as agencies outside of Florida and internationally.
As you begin your journey, you will work with some of our distinguished faculty and dedicated professionals who will provide you with personal attention and expert guidance to help you thrive academically and professionally.
- Sarah Brow Corrigan, LMFT
- Brooke Bugni, PhD
- Laura Cunningham, PhD
- Timothy Eng, PhD
- Jesse Fox, PhD
- Jessica Haas, PhD
- Melinda Hall, PhD
- Danielle Lindner, PhD
- Allanah Roberts-Headley, EdD
- Jude Singh, LMHC
Coursework within the program includes 51 credits of core classes and nine credits of practicum and internship (60 credits total). Our goal is to prepare you for a career in counseling while interacting with a wide-range of developmental, ethnic and cultural groups in a variety of settings.
The Graduate Council of Counselor Education sets the admissions standards for the Counselor Education program based on standards from the program faculty, the Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of Health and the Graduate Council of the College of Arts and Sciences. To seek admission to a graduate program, a candidate must hold a baccalaureate degree or a master's degree from a college or university with institutional accreditation.
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