Is Counseling a Sustainable Career? What Research Says About the Future of Counseling

Examine the future outlook for counselors, discover what you can do with a counseling degree, and explore how telemental health services are advancing the field.

When you’re considering which career path to pursue, the continued demand for professionals in your chosen area is likely a big concern. Since many jobs are being impacted by AI and other emerging technologies, it’s reasonable to wonder what effect these advancements will have on your desired field. Are you on a path to bright career prospects? Or will you find yourself in a field that’s growing obsolete?

If helping people is your passion, and you’re interested in pursuing a career in counseling or therapy, there’s good news: these jobs are in no danger of disappearing. Quite the opposite — the demand for these qualified professionals is actually increasing. The stigma against people seeking mental health support is decreasing in the U.S., and new technology in counseling is helping more patients access these services than ever before.

How much demand are we talking about? This is what the Bureau of Labor Statistics has to say about the future of counseling:

• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counseling is expected to grow 19% by 2033, with a median salary of $53,710 per year. ¹
• Marriage and Family Therapy is expected to grow 16% in the same timeframe, with a median salary of $58,510 per year. ²
• School and Career Counseling is expected to grow 4%, with a median annual salary of $61,710. ³
• Psychologist roles are expected to grow 7%, with a median salary of $92,740 per year. ⁴

Of course, you’re not just interested in the numbers. You’re also keen to discover how different degrees and career paths in counseling can shape your future and align with your passion for helping others.

What Skills Do I Need to Be a Successful Counselor?

Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or any other variation of the field, there are certain skills that every counselor needs:

• Empathy
• Active Listening
• Ethical Judgment
• Patience
• Cross-Cultural Communication

In short, you need to understand how others think and feel. You also need to be able to relate to others from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, building trust through compassion, boundaries, and professional rapport. 

Both the online BA in Psychology and BS in Counseling and Community Psychology at NMSU Global Campus equip you with these skills in unique ways:

• With a psychology degree, you’ll learn how to relate deeply to others through the application of research, theory, and scientific methodology. 
• With a counseling and community psychology degree, you’ll gain hands-on experience to build your therapeutic skills for real-world scenarios. 

In addition, online programs like these teach you a key element of counseling that often gets overlooked: technological fluency. Knowing how to navigate digital tools is key to staying connected with clients and offering modern, flexible care.

How Is Technology Advancing the Counseling Field?

The key term here is telemental health, which refers to the delivery of mental health support through digital communication. This can take the form of video chats, text messages, phone calls, and more, rather than traditional, in-person appointments. 

According to the American Psychiatric Association ⁵ as of 2021:

• Nearly four in ten Americans (38%) have used telehealth services for medical or mental health
• Nearly six in ten Americans say they would use telehealth services for mental healthcare

As the future of telemedicine changes, there are notable figures suggesting that younger adults are more likely to use telehealth for mental health services: 66% of 18- to 29-year-olds compared to 36% of individuals 65 and older. If you want to understand the future of therapy and mental health counseling, you need to know the key facts about telemental health care:

• With the emergence of the internet throughout the 2000s, telemental health services made treatment more accessible. 
• Telehealth services exploded in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic when many people were feeling high levels of stress, but in-person visits were not readily available. According to a national study by the National Library of Medicine, ⁶ private insurance claims data showed that telemedicine increased 766% in the first 3 months of the pandemic. 
• The quarantine was paradigm-shifting for the field, with remote mental health services maintaining their popularity ⁷ as people learned how to access them.

Nowadays, telemental health care continues to be a growing field with exciting, rapid developments. 

What Will Therapy Look Like in the Future?

Even in recent years, telemental health services have advanced significantly.  Better-functioning tech has benefits for both patients and therapists:

• Improved video and audio quality can make remote sessions feel more personal and less frustrating for patients. They can also help counselors better notice non-verbal cues.
• Data encryption is getting more advanced, which ensures the confidentiality of patient information. This can give peace of mind to patients who don’t want their sensitive information being revealed, as well as the therapists who are responsible for keeping this data private.

But when you think about the growing use of technology in the field, you might be wondering if counselors or therapists are in danger of being replaced. The answer is no. 

No matter how sophisticated it gets, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will never be able to replicate the experience of speaking to another human. Patients develop a professional relationship with their therapists based on trust, empathy, and understanding. This interpersonal aspect of the process is vital to patient healing.

That said, despite the importance of human interaction, future mental health professionals will know how to incorporate the latest technology into their practice. Rather than tech usurping their duties, however, it will instead be used to enhance and supplement patient sessions: 

• AI can optimize the patient screening process by predicting potential health problems earlier than humans can. Examining patient pathways creates avenues for improved care in digital healthcare, according to a study by the Journal of Medical Internet Research. ⁸ Eventually, AI may be able to identify unhealthy cognitive patterns early in the therapy process, informing the licensed professional of best practices.
• Virtual and augmented reality can help patients deal with anxiety, PTSD, and other struggles through exposure therapy, even from a remote environment. This technology is getting more affordable and accessible, and guided VR sessions will likely be a key to therapy in the future.
• Mental health apps can provide an added level of support between counseling sessions, with built-in reminders, check-ins, and exercises. As AI advances, it could be increasingly incorporated into these apps to provide progress reports to counselors and therapists.

Mental Health Course Offer through NMSU Global Campus

As the landscape of mental health care evolves, the integration of technology into therapeutic practices is becoming increasingly essential. One of the most exciting developments in this field is the use of virtual reality (VR) to create immersive simulations for mental health treatment.

The NMSU Global Campus microlearning course, “Building Mental Health Simulations in Virtual Reality,” offers a unique opportunity for professionals and students alike to explore this innovative approach. By harnessing the power of VR, mental health practitioners can create realistic environments that enhance therapeutic interventions, making them more engaging and effective for patients.

In a world where telemedicine is revolutionizing how we deliver care, the potential for VR in mental health cannot be overstated. This course equips participants with the skills to design and implement VR simulations tailored to specific therapeutic needs, such as anxiety, PTSD, and phobias.

By learning to create these virtual experiences, mental health professionals can expand their toolkit and provide patients with dynamic and interactive methods to confront and manage their challenges.

Enroll in the Building Mental Health Simulations in Virtual Reality microlearning course here. *

* This course is ideal for mental health professionals and educators interested in incorporating Virtual Reality into their therapeutic practice. You do not need to be a student at NMSU to join.

Changing Trends in the Field of Counseling: Why Does it Matter?

Ultimately, telemental health services are about expanding access to patient care. While innovations in counseling practice are certainly exciting, the most positive impact of these advancements is the growing number of people who can seek the help they need. Thanks to remote counseling and therapy sessions, barriers have been removed in several meaningful ways:

• Flexibility: One of the biggest barriers for those seeking help is time. With telemental health care, patients can schedule appointments around their busy lives, choosing a time and place that is most convenient for them. 
• Affordability: Not only do remote sessions eliminate travel costs, they also give patients the opportunity to search for the most affordable provider. For instance, if someone’s health insurance covers treatment from a great therapist in another city, the distance will no longer be a problem. 
• Accessibility: On that note, remote therapy removes geographical obstacles. As long as someone has internet access, it no longer impedes them if they live in an underserved or isolated area.

In short, telemental health resources have myriad conveniences. Although some patients will always prefer in-person appointments, technology is revolutionizing the logistics and practice of therapeutic care, making this moment an exciting time to break into the field.

NMSU Global Campus: Counseling Degree Options

At NMSU Global Campus, we understand that counseling is more than a career. It’s a commitment. You’re driven by the purpose of uplifting others, and we’re driven by the purpose of helping you get there. That’s why our counseling and therapy programs offer practical, evidence-based approaches to help you lead a life of impact.

• With a Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Community Psychology, you’ll learn how to improve the well-being of people with mental health struggles, all while being guided by the close supervision of licensed professionals.
• With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, you’ll discover the mysteries of the mind by unlocking the hows and whys of complex human behavior, giving you essential problem-solving skills and interpersonal communication tactics.

Both of these degree programs lay the groundwork for graduate work in counseling or therapy, if that’s the direction you wish to go in. However, there are plenty of other career tracks available to you with one of these degrees.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Counseling?

While counseling and therapy professions offer great fulfillment and promise of growth, you aren’t limited to one kind of job with a counseling degree. In fact, there are several career pathways to consider. ⁹ Depending on your specific program, you may find yourself qualified for a variety of growing, in-demand careers. 

With a BS in Counseling and Community Psychology from NMSU Global Campus, you’ll be equipped for work as a community case worker, behavioral health technician, social and community service manager, and more. You’ll also be well-prepared for graduate work in clinical mental health counseling, school psychology, and counseling psychology.

With a BA in Psychology from NMSU Global Campus, you’ll gain a vital understanding of the ways people think, feel, and behave. This kind of expertise lends itself to careers in a wide array of fields, including education, business, criminal justice, and social work.

What’s the Difference Between Counseling and Social Work? 

With both careers, you’re offering support to those who need it, but you’re doing so in different ways. Counselors assist with the emotional needs of clients, like those struggling with anxiety, depression, or general uncertainty about what to do in life. Social workers offer more logistical assistance, like helping individuals find community and housing resources. 

You can find a strong sense of fulfillment with either career, and that’s not the only similarity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ¹⁰ the job outlook for social workers is very similar to that of counselors and therapists, with growth of 7% by 2033 and a median salary of $58,380 per year.

Should I Pursue Counseling or Social Work?

If a job in social work has piqued your interest, and you’d like a more direct route to becoming a social worker, NMSU Global Campus also offers undergraduate and graduate programs for this rewarding field:

• Bachelor of Social Work: This program gives you foundational knowledge of generalist practice, helping you advocate for clients in the most effective way.
• Master of Social Work: Designed for those seeking to advance their social work career, this rewarding program teaches advanced generalist practice through online courses and practical fieldwork.

How Do I Get Started with a Counseling Degree?

If you’re ready to pursue a fulfilling career with strong projected job growth, and you want to gain essential counseling skills while also learning about the latest advances in telemental health technology, then earn your degree in psychology or community counseling from NMSU Global Campus. 

Both of these affordable, accredited programs offer 100% online coursework. That means you can start your journey to a fulfilling career while balancing your work and life responsibilities. 

Best of all, you don’t have to wait to get started. With multiple start dates and a free application, NMSU Global Campus is ready to help you achieve your goals as soon as you’re ready to take the first step. You have the potential to transform lives — you just need the tools to get there. 

You have the calling. We have the toolkit. Apply to NMSU Global Campus today.

Why Choose NMSU Global Campus?

At NMSU Global Campus, our dedicated advisors are ready to guide you through the admissions process, helping you get into a program that aligns with your passions and career aspirations.

As a Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredited institution, NMSU Global Campus is ready to support you at every step of your online learning journey. Our flexible, affordable, and 100% online degree programs make balancing your studies with other activities easy.

Our commitment to cutting-edge technologies and teaching methodologies ensures a dynamic and relevant education, preparing you for success. You’ll also join a supportive network of students and mentors worldwide who share your drive and determination to develop your talents.

References

1. “Occupational Outlook Handbook Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last updated 29 August 2024.

2. “Occupational Outlook Handbook Marriage and Family Therapists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last updated 29 August 2024.

3. “Occupational Outlook Handbook School and Career Counselors and Advisors.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last updated 29 August 2024.

4. “Occupational Outlook Handbook Psychologists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last updated 29 August 2024.

5. “New Nationwide Poll Shows an Increased Popularity for Telehealth Services.” The American Psychiatric Association (APA), 26 May 2021.

6. Shaver, Julia. “The State of Telehealth Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice, vol. 49, no. 4, April 2022, pp. 517–30.

7. Calkins, Hannah. “Online Therapy Is Here to Stay.” The American Psychological Association Monitor on Psychology, vol. 52, no. 1, 1 January 2021.

8. Allam, Ahmed, et al. “Analyzing Patient Trajectories With Artificial Intelligence.” Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 23, no. 12, December 2021.

9. “Types of Counseling Degrees: 6 Career Pathways to Consider.” NMSU Global Campus Blog, 26 January 2024.

10. “Occupational Outlook Handbook Social Workers.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last updated 29 August 2024.