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How to Become a Mental Health Counselor In Illinois
Illinois offers two different levels of mental health counselor licensing: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). In order to become an LCPC, you will need to work your way up gradually and complete any extra examinations that are required.
Mental Health Counseling Requirements
In Illinois, the minimum degree level required to become a mental health counselor is a master's degree. Unlike many other states, in Illinois it is not required that you graduate from an accredited counseling program.1 Graduating from a CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accredited program like the one offered at NLU, however, can help open more doors and simplify the process for you.2
In addition to your degree, to become a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Illinois, your education must include studying the following areas:3
- Counseling technique
- Counseling theory
- Family dynamics
- Group dynamics, counseling and processing
- Human growth and development
- Maladaptive behavior and psychiatric illness
- Professional, legal and ethical responsibilities
- Research and evaluation
- Social and cultural foundations
- Substance abuse
An internship or practicum is also required to become a licensed mental health counselor in Illinois.4
Two years of supervised experience are required to earn higher licensing. This includes a minimum of 960 hours of face-to-face counseling with clients, which must be completed within at least 48 weeks. If you complete your supervised experience in the state of Illinois, then your professional supervisor must be a licensed psychiatrist, clinical social worker or clinical psychologist. If you complete your supervised experience in another state, your supervisor must hold a master's or doctoral degree.5
- "How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois." CareersInPsychology.org. http://careersinpsychology.org/how-to-become-a-licensed-professional-counselor-in-illinois/
- "How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois." CareersInPsychology.org. http://careersinpsychology.org/how-to-become-a-licensed-professional-counselor-in-illinois/
- "How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois." CareersInPsychology.org. http://careersinpsychology.org/how-to-become-a-licensed-professional-counselor-in-illinois/
- "How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois." CareersInPsychology.org. http://careersinpsychology.org/how-to-become-a-licensed-professional-counselor-in-illinois/
- "How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois." CareersInPsychology.org. http://careersinpsychology.org/how-to-become-a-licensed-professional-counselor-in-illinois/