Behavioral Health Specialist: Career Information for Educators

• What behavioral health technicians do
• Educational and certification requirements
• Income projections
• Pros and cons of being a behavioral health technician

What behavioral health technicians do

Behavioral health technicians (also known as psychiatric technicians) work alongside doctors, nurses and counselors to help people who suffer from psychological, physical and addiction-related ailments. They deal directly with patients suffering from behavioral problems by helping them stick to treatment plans designed by doctors and nurses.

Behavioral health technicians interact daily with patients facing serious challenges including:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Physical and emotional abuse
• Psychological diseases
• Mental and physical disabilities

To help their patients heal, a behavioral health technician must understand and help execute each patient’s individualized treatment plan. They must also monitor and keep detailed records of patient behavior as well as their patients’ adherence to treatment plans.

Behavioral health technicians must serve as supportive advocates for their patients’ health and well-being, and ensure their patients receive treatment in a safe environment. They also may help their patients with simple daily activities and errands.

Behavioral health technicians work in hospitals, psychiatric treatment facilities, halfway houses, shelters and private residences.

Education and certification requirements

Behavioral health technicians usually need at least an associate’s degree, though most employers prefer a bachelor’s degree in a field related to mental health or medicine. Licensure or certification may be required.

Income projections

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that behavioral health technicians earned a median annual salary of $31,140 in May 2015. The BLS projects average job growth for this profession, rising 5 percent through 2024.

Here are a variety of estimates of what you might earn as a behavioral health technician:

• BLS: $31,140
• PayScale.com: $30,895
• Glassdoor.com: $24,610
• Salary.com: $32,363

Pros and cons of being a behavioral health technician

As you consider becoming a behavioral health technician, take into account the good and the bad that come with the job.

Pros

• Minimal education requirements
• Can be very rewarding to help people with serious problems

Cons

• Above-average work-related injury rate
• Low pay compared to other behavioral health professions
• Can include menial work such as changing bedpans
• Work can be unpleasant when dealing with uncooperative or violent patients
• Work hours sometimes include nights, weekends and holidays

• What behavioral therapists do
• Types of behavioral therapy
• Educational and certification requirements
• Income projections
• Pros and cons of being a behavioral therapist

What behavioral therapists do

Behavioral therapists teach their patients how to modify their behavior and cope with mental and emotional disorders. They work with patients to limit or eliminate negative behaviors and substitute them with positive alternatives.

Their work begins with an analysis of the patient’s behavior. Once they have identified problem behaviors, they use appropriate therapeutic techniques to address them and ultimately improve the patient’s health and well-being. If one technique doesn’t yield satisfying results, they will try other approaches until they find an effective solution.

Some unwanted behaviors that a behavior therapist may address include:

• Inability to focus
• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse and addictions
• Panic attacks
• Compulsions and obsessions
• Social anxieties
• Violent tendencies

Behavior therapists often work one-on-one with their patients, though in some cases they may operate in group settings. They may treat different ailments or specialize in treating particular disorders such as autism, anorexia/bulimia, depression or posttraumatic stress disorder

Mental health clinics, assisted living facilities, academic institutions, private medical practices and hospitals offer growing employment opportunities for behavioral therapists.

Types of behavioral therapy

While all behavioral therapists help their patients combat unhealthy behaviors, they may rely on specific therapeutic techniques. These three are among the most common:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) guides patients to alter how they think about and react to life’s challenges. Behavioral therapists using CBT encourage patients to think more positively and challenge their unhealthy thought patterns. In addition, they  discuss their desires and address obstacles to achieving their goals in life. CBT works to change patients’ mindsets with one-on-one consultations and homework assignments.

Dialectical behavior therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is generally used to treat patients with severe behavioral problems, including suicidal depression, compulsive self-harm and borderline personality disorder. The technique helps patients identify their strengths and build on them to improve their self-esteem.

At the same time, DBT challenges patients to recognize and resist negative thoughts, beliefs and assumptions that make life more difficult. DBT may include role playing to help the patient develop new ways of interacting with others. In some cases, DBT may teach patients to use meditation, mindfulness and deep-breathing exercises to deal with situations where they become upset and/or overly stimulated.

Applied behavior analysis

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) helps patients with significant emotional and mental disorders develop healthy response behavior. Applied behavior analysts teach people involved in the patient’s life to help change response behavior. ABA prioritizes teaching patients useful life skills and addressing negative behaviors that may harm them. ABA is frequently used to help autistic individuals, including children on the autism spectrum.

Educational and certification requirements

Most behavioral therapy jobs require a bachelor’s degree at minimum. However, some employers may require only a high school diploma while others may require a master’s degree or additional clinical training and certification. Behavioral therapists with more education and training can provide more services to patients and usually require less supervision than those with less education. They typically earn more as a result.

Depending on the specific job and location of the employer, you may need a state license to practice therapy. Many state licenses require a master’s degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of clinical experience. Licensure requirements may include passing a state-issued exam and completing continuing education every year.

Annual income projections

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted a 22 percent increase in jobs for behavioral therapists through 2024. This profession is growing with plenty of opportunities available.

The BLS also reported that the median annual wage for this field in May 2015 was $39,980. Here are a handful of estimates of what you might earn as a behavioral therapist:

• BLS: $39,980
• PayScale.com: $36,336
• Glassdoor.com: $32,000
• SalaryExpert: $70,266
• SimplyHired: $32,000

Pros and cons of being a behavioral therapist

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of working as a behavioral therapist.

Pros

• Higher pay than behavioral health technicians
• Rewarding to help clients change their lives for the better
• Get to work one-on-one with interesting people
• Satisfying to see patients make progress and eventually overcome problems

Cons

• Higher education requirements than behavioral health technicians
• Difficult to remain compassionate, understanding and professional at all times
• Work is often emotionally charged and tense
• Often large workloads
• Stressful to work with agitated patients or those who resist treatment

• What mental health counselors do
• Educational and certification requirements
• Income projections
• Pros and cons of being a mental health counselor

What mental health counselors do

Mental health counselors help patients work through a variety of life challenges. Some work with people who have normal cognitive processes but face difficult life events such as physical illness, grief, job loss or divorce. Others help patients manage serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder.

The patients of mental health counselors may suffer from a wide range of difficulties including:

• Aging
• Parenting
• Low self-esteem
• Interpersonal relationship problems
• Stress
• Addiction
• Phobias
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Uncontrollable rage
• Constant panic
• Chronic unexplained pain
• Schizophrenia
• Anhedonia
• Psychotic depression

Mental health counselors provide services such as assessment, diagnosis, therapy, substance abuse treatment and crisis management. The day-to-day duties of a mental health counselor include:

• Helping patients discuss their emotions and experiences honestly
• Advising patients making decisions about the future
• Diagnosing mental and emotional disorders such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, phobia and addiction
• Helping patients learn to modify their thoughts, behaviors and reactions to difficult situations
• Referring clients to other resources or services, such as support groups or inpatient treatment facilities

Mental health counseling happens in a wide variety of settings. Patients may see the counselor one-on-one, in couples’ sessions or in family therapy. Mental health counselors may also lead group therapy sessions.

Educational and certification requirements

To become a mental health counselor, you will need a master’s degree in psychology, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related mental health field. You will also need a license to provide mental health counseling services. Licensure requirements vary by state, but typically include a master’s degree, a certain number of hours of clinical work, and an exam.

Annual income projections

Here are estimates of what you might earn as a mental health counselor:

• BLS: $43,190
• PayScale.com: $39,505
• Glassdoor.com: $45,000
• SalaryGenius: $53,550
• U.S. News and World Report: $40,850

Pros and cons of being a mental health counselor

Here are some things to keep in mind when thinking about getting a job as a mental health counselor.

Pros

• Highest pay of behavioral health specialist jobs
• High-growth field (increase in employment of 19 percent in the next decade)
• Work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, mental health facilities and private offices
• Constantly interact with interesting people
• Make a meaningful difference in people’s lives

Cons

• Advanced education required
• Complex and stringent state licensing requirements
• Can be high stress and emotionally exhausting, particularly if patients are suicidal or prone to crisis
• Evening and weekend hours may be required