Clinical Mental Health Counseling

There is an ongoing need for mental health professionals who can work in a variety of settings with diverse individuals, groups, and families. This chapter will provide the information on the requirements for an entry-level Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that meets the requirements for accreditation by the CACREP, based on best practices from existing literature and the 2024 CACREP StandardsCACREP standards. The chapter will include a history of CMHC, a description of the 2024 CACREP Standards specific to the CMHC specialized practice, an example of a CMHC program of study, and a discussion of important considerations when developing a CMHC program, with a particular focus on social justiceSocial justice and advocacy. The chapter will end with current and future trends in the CMHC field that should be considered in CMHC programs.