Find an Online Psychology Program for You

Featured Online Psychology & Counseling Programs

Depression Employment

According to the United States Department of Labor, jobs for Depression Counselors will be increasing over the next 8 years at a rapid rate. While the average increase for employment (in general) is 5%; the projected increase in employment growth for mental health counselors (including depression counselors) is22%.  Three factors have contributed to this substantially positive outlook forDepression Counselors.

Federal Mandates

Recently implemented federal laws require both private sector insurance and state healthcare insurance programs to offer within their coverage plans the option of receiving both inpatient and outpatient treatment fordepression.  These requirements have created a new demand for qualified Depression Counselors in private practice as well as institutional and government settings.

Veterans Requiring Treatment

As soldiers return from recent global assignments, Depression Counselors are needed to assist in the Veterans Administration. Research has revealed that wars over the past two decades have resulted in more reports of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) than any other time in history. Since depression is the symptomatic indicator of PTSD, Depression Counselors will be increasingly needed for the treatment of veterans.

“After three tours of duty in Iraq, I can tell you that men returning home really need help dealing with the adjustments of continued military or civilian life. Transitional issues are one of the hardest things officers have to deal with when they are in command of any unit stateside.”

-E. Hoffenberg, Army Commissioned Officer (ACO)

RELATED:How to Help Those Considering Suicide

What Type of Positions Can a Depression Counselor Hold?

State and County Hospitals: On-Staff/Resident Counselor

To be in compliance with newly established federal laws, state and county hospitals will need to employ Depression Counselors to meet the escalating demands resulting from rights of coverage.

Private Hospitals: On-Staff/Resident Depression Counselor

Privately financed institutions will need to have in their employ qualified Depression Counselors to provide the mental health counseling new laws require. Since these are newly implemented mandates, these institutions will be creating positions which will need to be filled.

Consultant

For institutions that either cannot afford or choose not to have on-staff Depression Counselors, consultants would prove a viable option. A Depression Counselor would work for the organization either on a regular retainer or an ad hoc basis.

Colleges and Universities: On-Staff Depression Counselor

Increases in enrollment numbers at colleges and universities will result in an increased need for counselors specializing in depression.

Federal, State and Local Agencies: Depression Counselor

Government employees will be entitled to mental health care as a result of the new national healthcare framework. Since depression counseling is one of the required options that must be provided; federal, state and local agencies will have to have Depression Counselors in their employ.

Private Practice

Licensed Depression Counselors could choose to go into private practice. They can be solo-practitioners or join a related group or clinic.

Ways for Depression Counselors to Increase Desirability as a Job Candidate

Educational Degrees

Experience

Finding a way to factor experience into your employment resume as a Depression Counselor is always seen as an asset for a potential employer. For example, if there are college classes offered in your area regarding depression, you might find opportunities to speak with, mentor, or tutor students attending those courses. You might offer your services to the course instructors which would assist them in bringing the fullest experience possible to their learning curricula.

Volunteer Experience with Not-for-Profit Organizations

Non-profit groups routinely hire volunteers to work within their organizations. The following is a partial list of groups dealing with depression and/or anxiety. Please check your local city, county and states resources for additional ideas.

Depression Volunteer

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.home/

The American Association of Suicidology:https://www.suicidology.org/

More Than Sad:https://afsp.org/more-than-sad

Suicide Prevention Resource Center:http://www.sprc.org/bpr/

Postpartum Support International:http://www.postpartum.net/

Freedom From Fear:http://www.freedomfromfear.org/

Anxiety Disorders Association of America:http://www.adaa.org/

The Beacon Tree Foundation:http://www.beacontree.org/

National Alliance on Mental Illness:http://www.nami.org/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

“As a volunteer for the California Youth Crisis Line I am using my education and experience to help teens overcome their feelings in order that they may reach out and ask for help.”

-Patty Doyle, Volunteer in the Greater Los Angeles Area, California

Ways for a Depression Counselor to Increase His/Her Salary

Education: Degrees

Most employers (both private and public) recognize and reward employees furthering their knowledge and skills through additional education. Continuing throughout your career to seek higher levels of excellence through education will afford you greater earning potential either with a present employer or in obtaining alternative employment.

Education: Certifications

State and national organizations that involve Depression Counseling have various certification programs. Obtaining additional certifications will exhibit to your employer marked efforts at continuing education. For example, The National Board for Certified Counselors offer a number of certification programs for all levels of degree’d professionals.http://www.nbcc.org/ourcertifications/

Private Practice: Seeking Government Contracts

For those Depression Counselors in private practice, this is a fortuitous time period for seeking employment as a sub-contractor for local, state and federal governments. The counselor need not give up their regular clients in order to accept a contracted caseload from the public sector (unless of course the contract required it.)

Develop Public Presence Through Community Involvement

2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures formental health counselorsare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.

RELATED:How to Become a Suicide Prevention Counselor

Related ArticlesCan a Counseling Degree Make Me Rich?Employment Outlook & Career Guidance for Substance Abuse CounselorWhy Virtual Reality Is Set to Transform Mental Health TreatmentInternships in Counseling: Shedding Light on the Explosive “Match”Employment Outlook & Career Guidance for Domestic Abuse CounselorsEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Community CounselorsThe Ten Worst Habits for Your Mental HealthEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Child Abuse CounselorsMode of Therapy - Marriage CounselingEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Grief CounselorsWorking While in a Counseling Master’s ProgramMode of Therapy - Premarital Counseling7 Quick & Easy Mental Health Exercises to Help You Through Your DayEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Army Mental Health SpecialistsHow Your Counseling Degree Opens Doors in the Real WorldEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Geriatric CounselorsHow To Help Those Considering SuicideEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Suicide Intervention CounselorsTop Places to Work as a CounselorWhat You Might Pay in Student Loans in Order to Become a CounselorEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Mental Health CounselorsSigns of an Excellent Counseling Degree ProgramMode of Therapy - Pastoral CounselingHolistic Counseling on the RisePreparing for a Private Counseling PracticeEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Transformational CounselorsUndergraduate vs. Graduate Counseling DegreesDo I Need a PhD in Counseling?Employment Outlook & Career Guidance for Rehabilitation CounselorsMode of Therapy - School CounselingTop 3 Social Service Jobs of 2025

Related CareersDepression Counselor CareersSubstance Abuse Counselor CareerConflict Resolution CareersCareers in Vocational Rehabilitation CounselingMulti-Cultural Counselor Careers