These health behavior jobs are very important, because they deal with finding an approach for dealing with people and families that are struggling with emotional problems. These problems could be varied, or they could be very specific. For instance you could be dealing with a stress problem, or even individuals with suicidal tendencies. In addition to that there are those who find themselves addicted to drugs and alcohol. This is a very important job, and so far the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported favorably for this career choice. There are currently about 100,000 Mental Health counselors working in varied settings around the United States. They can work in HMO's, federal buildings, private practice, and even hospitals. The median income as of right now is about $39,000 per year, which is not exactly pocket change.
If you wish to pursue this career, there are a number of things that you will need to do. First of all you need a Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work. You will also need to make sure you have a Master of Science in Mental health. Before you can truly come into your own, you will need to complete two years of clinical work, and of course pass a state certification exam.
You also have the option of becoming a Behavioral Therapist. These therapists pursue behavioral health jobs that involve helping those who suffer from mood disorders, anger management, and even other mental conditions that may hamper the ability to fit in to society. A behavioral therapist can work alone, or they could work as part of a group. They will typically open a private practice or work at a social services center. No matter where you work as a behavioral therapist, your practice is very important, and with the right education you can help many people.
There are of course a certain number of skills required for this type of job. You will need to have the ability to relate to people, and often times you will need to be able to take a leadership position. In addition to this you need to be able to take legible notes and relay your findings to others. You might be able to get away with using a tape recorder however, so long as you are in your own private practice.
The medial wage for therapists in these behavioral health jobs is somewhere around $40,000 - $50,000 per year. This is above average when it comes to the majority of health jobs, and you can expect to spend quite a bit of time training to be qualified for a job of this nature.
In the beginning you will not have your own practice, and you will of course be working under someone. You will need to make sure you have a decent resume when you apply for a job of this nature, and that being the case, you should make sure you not only have a good description of your experience, but also a good cover letter that talks about who you are and what you can do for the institution for which you are applying.
There are quite a few different jobs out there for aspiring therapists. Behavioral therapists are a very important part of the medical community because they tend to the wounds that are unseen by the human eye, and in many cases the wounds that hurt the most. Because of that fact however, you will have a huge responsibility, and many people will rely on you. That being said, it is a job that you will need to take very seriously.
Are you ready to take on this type of enormous responsibility yet? Do you think it is something that you can do? If so, then it's time to get started with the education, the training, and most of all the certifications. People are depending on you, and there are many job positions open. When you feel that you are ready, you can take on one of these behavioral health jobs, knowing that you are helping others, and maybe even helping yourself in the process.
