O*NET-SOC 21-1014.00

Mental Health Counselors

Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 5 – Extensive preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresExtensive skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Social Perceptiveness2.B.1.a4.8808/2021
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.7508/2021
Speaking2.A.1.d4.2508/2021
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.1208/2021
Service Orientation2.B.1.f4.008/2021
Writing2.A.1.c4.008/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.6208/2021
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.508/2021
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.2508/2021
Speech Clarity1.A.4.b.54.1208/2021
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.24.1208/2021
Written Expression1.A.1.a.44.1208/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.Core7308/2021
Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.Core7308/2021
Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.Core7308/2021
Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.Core7308/2021
Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.Core7408/2021

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Social6.7611/2023
Investigative4.4411/2023
Conventional3.4511/2023
Artistic3.0611/2023
Enterprising2.9111/2023
Realistic1.3211/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 5

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.