Rhode Island had an estimated 1520 mental health counselors and 1088 marriage and family therapists working in the state in 2010. The majority of these professionals were employed in Providence. The State expects job opportunities to increase by 18 percent in the next five years to meet the demand for mental health services, such as counseling and substance abuse treatment.
The Rhode Island Office of Health Professions Regulation offers two licensure options, either as a marriage and family therapist or mental health counselor. Employment is usually found in social service agencies, mental health clinics, residential addiction recovery centers, health care organizations, or in private practice. Licensed counselors or therapists provide psychotherapy and assessment for individuals or couples depending on their specialty. They are not authorized to prescribe psychiatric drugs. Both licenses are renewed every two years.
Some of the top graduate psychology programs in Rhode Island for aspiring counselors or therapists include:
Rogers Williams University: Located in Bristol, Rogers Williams University offers a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology for those individuals seeking occupations in the forensic field. Students have the option to select either a practitioner track or a thesis track in preparation for a doctoral program. This path of study is geared toward counselors seeking to work in the prison system, treat sex offenders, or work with law enforcement and the court system.
Salve Regina University: A private Catholic institution, Salve Regina University offers a Master of Arts in Holistic Counseling in Newport. Students can specialize in either mental health or expressive and creative art therapy. Both concentrations focus on the connection of mind, body, and spirit in healing in a clinical setting.
Rhode Island College: One of the oldest higher educational institutions in the state, Rhode Island College offers various master's degrees in its graduate department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, and School Psychology, These degrees are geared toward those seeking careers in social service agencies, addiction treatment centers, and student counseling. Successful graduates will be able to sit for the exam to become a Rhode Island state certified school counselor or licensed mental health counselor.
