Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) programs in Florida provide the essential training and qualifications needed for individuals aiming to pursue a career in mental health counseling. The LMHC credential opens doors to various career opportunities within the mental health sector in Florida.
LMHC programs typically include a combination of coursework and extensive hands-on clinical practice, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to tackle the diverse challenges presented in mental health care settings.
This article explores some of the popular LMHC programs available in Florida, highlighting their unique features and how they cater to the needs of aspiring mental health professionals.
LMHC Programs in Florida
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering LMHC programs in Florida:
Florida State University
In theFlorida StateClinical Mental Health Counseling program, you will go through five full semesters that include coursework, practical training, and an internship. Once you complete the 60 credit hour program, you will receive both a Master of Science (M.S.) and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree.
The focus of the program is on working with individuals who have a variety of mental health issues. Additionally, you will learn about prevention, early intervention, and promoting wellness among generally healthy populations. Some of the courses that you will take include:
Throughout the program, you will work in several different environments. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has partnered with various organizations, providing you with opportunities to gain practical experience in settings such as independent practices, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, hospitals, military settings, hospice care, employee assistance programs, student counseling centers, prisons, and substance abuse centers.
In your first year, you will participate in a practicum. This part of your training is designed to help you apply your knowledge, skills, and professional values in real community settings. It offers you a chance to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience. This experience is beneficial for both the students and the placement sites; you provide your labor in exchange for valuable on-the-job training and experience. This setup helps you develop professionally, integrate knowledge and skills, and build up your professional competence and identity. The interactions and responsibilities you encounter during your placements will also enhance your understanding and commitment to the counseling profession.
You will complete your practicum hours at community mental health agencies in or near the Tallahassee area. You will meet with your faculty supervisor or clinical coordinator at least one semester before your practicum to discuss the requirements and expectations. You will be informed about the available practicum sites and will receive an orientation on how to start your clinical practice.
You will also need to develop program-appropriate audio/video recordings for use in supervision or live supervision of your interactions with clients. Your performance will be evaluated and you will receive feedback throughout your practicum. Some agencies may cover these costs, while others might require you to pay.
To be eligible for admission to the program, you must have:
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida’sClinical Mental Health Counseling Program (CMHC) is a 60-credit hour, full-time program that fulfills the educational requirements for licensure in Florida as an LMHC. This program is focused on practical application, requiring you to complete 1,000 hours of field-based experience before graduation.
The curriculum provides a mix of courses designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective counseling professional. Some of the courses that you will take include:
The curriculum allows you to explore various foundational aspects of behavior, practice psychotherapeutic and diagnostic skills, and engage in extensive field experiences to apply your learning in professional settings. The CMHC operates on a cohort model with two groups of 24 students each, enrolled annually.
During your first year, you will complete 100 hours dedicated to Professional Identity Development, which are volunteer hours in the mental health field aimed at enhancing your professional identity. In your second year, you will undertake 900 hours of Practicum/Internship hours at one of over 30 community partner sites, including private practices, community non-profits, hospitals, and schools, with 320 of these hours being direct counseling service with clients.
The CMHC program aims to prepare graduates who:
More specifically, the program prepares you to:
Admission requirements for the program include:
A $30 application fee is required. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid prior to the review of your application.
Hodges University
Hodges Universityoffers a 60-credit online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree that’s designed just for you. If you are aiming to start a career in mental health or substance abuse counseling, this could be your first step. Once you are through, you will also be able toget licensed as a Mental Health Counselor.
Some of the core courses that you will take include:
All classes will be online, but you will still have interactive sessions. For about 6-8 hours, you will meet with your classmates and instructor over Zoom. There, you will discuss concepts, see presentations, and more.
During the program, you will have to join 4 weekend residency sessions. These will be spread out over fall and spring. It’s a full weekend from Friday to Sunday morning. This is where you will get hands-on practice and dive deep into core counseling techniques.
You will also be involved in real-world practice. There’s a 155-hour practicum where you will directly care for clients for 40 hours. After that, you will do two internships totaling 300 hours, with 120 hours directly interacting with clients. Expect to commit about 20 hours a week for these internships. Plus, during this time, you will be supervised for 45 hours per session.
To apply, ensure you have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You will need to send in your official college transcripts to show your degree. Sometimes, there might be an essay or interview as part of the admission process. Once everything is ready, fill out the application for the program.
Nova Southeastern University
You can enroll in the CACREP accredited Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration atNova Southeastern University. This program is available in both online and in-person formats. You can enroll on a full-time or part-time basis.
To earn your M.S. in Counseling at Nova Southeastern University, you will complete 33 graduate semester hours, alongside the Clinical Mental Health Counseling focus. In total, you are looking at completing 60 credits.
This program equips you to:
Some of the core Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration courses that you will take include:
You will need complete all courses for the degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, including satisfactory completion of practicum and internship.
To apply, ensure you:
Kesier University
Keiser’s online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is tailored for busy individuals like you. This program aims to fully equip you to become a professional counselor, ready to work in various settings like private clinics or rehab centers.
Here’s what you should expect:
How Long Does It Take to Become an LMHC in Florida?
Additionally, you must passthe National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)and apply for licensure throughthe Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
How Much Does an LMHC Make in Florida?
As of November 2024, the average salary for an LMHC in Floridais $81,853per year. More experienced LMHCs working in Florida make well over $130,000 per year.
