Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Jobs & Career Guide 2023
What's in this guide?
What Is a Licensed Professional Counselor?
A licensed professional counselor (LPC) is a mental health professional who is licensed by their state to provide counseling services to individuals, families, and groups. LPCs typically have a master’s degree in counseling psychology, counseling or a related field, and have completed a certain number of hours of supervised clinical experience.
LPCs assess clients’ mental health needs, develop treatment plans, and provide counseling services, such as individual and group therapy, family therapy, and couples therapy. They monitor clients’ progress and adjust treatment plans as needed, collaborate with other mental health professionals to ensure coordinated care, and maintain accurate records of clients’ treatment and progress.
LPCs adhere to ethical and legal standards for the practice of counseling and play an important role in helping clients to improve their mental health and overall well-being.
What Does a Licensed Professional Counselor Do?
The core responsibilities of an LPC include conducting assessments of clients’ mental health needs and developing treatment plans based on their specific needs and goals. They provide counseling services, such as individual and group therapy, family therapy, and couples therapy, to help clients work through emotional and behavioral challenges. They monitor clients’ progress and adjust treatment plans as needed to ensure that clients are making meaningful progress toward their goals.
In addition to providing counseling services, LPCs collaborate with other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists, to ensure that clients receive coordinated and comprehensive care. They also maintain accurate and complete records of clients’ treatment and progress, adhere to ethical and legal standards for the practice of counseling, and engage in ongoing learning and professional development to stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the field.
“As an LPC, I have the privilege of helping others work through some of life’s toughest challenges. It’s an incredibly rewarding career that requires dedication, empathy, and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. Each day brings a new opportunity to connect with clients, listen to their stories, and work together to find solutions that promote healing and growth. It can be a challenging job, but the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others makes it all worthwhile.”
Dr. Russell Fulmer, a licensed professional counselor and professor of counselingHere is an example of a typical daily schedule for an LPC who works in a community mental health center:
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Check email and voicemail messages, review client charts and prepare for the day’s appointments.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Conduct individual therapy sessions with clients, providing support and guidance for their mental health needs.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Attend a team meeting with other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists, to discuss clients’ progress and coordinate care.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Take a lunch break and recharge for the afternoon.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Conduct more individual therapy sessions with clients, addressing a range of mental health concerns.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Meet with a client’s family or partner for a family therapy or couples therapy session.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Complete progress notes and other documentation for the day’s appointments, ensuring that records are accurate and up-to-date.
Where Do Licensed Professional Counselors Work?
LPCs have a range of employment options:
- Community mental health centers: LPCs may work in community mental health centers that provide counseling services to individuals and families who may not have access to other mental health resources.
- Private practice: Some LPCs may choose to open their own private practice and provide counseling services to clients on a fee-for-service basis.
- Online therapy: increasing numbers of LPCs work via the various online therapy platforms conducting video calls with their clients.
- Schools and universities: LPCs may work in schools and universities providing counseling services to students, faculty, and staff.
- Hospitals and healthcare organizations: LPCs may work in hospitals and other healthcare organizations as part of a multidisciplinary team providing mental health services to patients.
- Government agencies: LPCs may work for government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, providing counseling services to veterans, military personnel, and their families.
- Non-profit organizations: LPCs may work for non-profit organizations that provide counseling services to underserved populations, such as survivors of domestic violence or refugees.
- Employee assistance programs: LPCs may work for employee assistance programs that provide counseling services to employees and their families.
How to become a Licensed Professional Counselor
Obtain a bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field is typically required as a prerequisite for admission to a master’s degree program in counseling. Some programs may also require specific undergraduate coursework in psychology or related fields.
Obtain a master’s degree
Most states require LPCs to have a master’s degree in counseling psychology, counseling or a related field from an accredited program. The program should include coursework in counseling theory, techniques, and ethics, as well as supervised clinical experience.
Supervised clinical hours
Most states require LPC candidates to complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours, typically ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 hours. The exact number of hours required varies by state.
Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE)
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a standardized exam that assesses the knowledge and skills of individuals seeking to become licensed professional counselors in the US. The exam is developed and administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
The NCE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover a range of topics related to counseling theory and practice, including human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, helping relationships, group work, career and lifestyle development, assessment and testing, research and program evaluation, and professional ethics and practice.
The exam is administered in a computer-based format at testing centers throughout the US. Test-takers have four hours to complete the exam, and are provided with a tutorial on how to use the computer-based testing software before beginning the exam.
The passing score for the NCE varies by state, but is typically set at around 96-98 correct answers out of the 200 questions. Test-takers who do not pass the exam on their first attempt are typically allowed to retake the exam after a waiting period of a few months.
Obtain state licensure
Once all educational and clinical requirements have been met, LPC candidates must apply for state licensure.
Licensure is the process by which a state grants permission to an individual to practice as a licensed professional counselor within that state.
The state licensing board may also require candidates to pass a state-specific exam, undergo a criminal background check, and provide references from colleagues or supervisors. The process of obtaining licensure can take several months to a year or more, depending on the state’s specific requirements and the candidate’s readiness to complete the process.
How Much Money Do Licensed Professional Counselors Earn?
The average salary for an LPC in the US is around $47,000 per year. However, salaries can range from around $32,000 to over $70,000 per year, depending on a few different factors such as the location of the job, experience in the field, and type of organization. Get more insights in our LPC salary guide.
Latest Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Jobs & Career Guide 2023 Listings
Position | Company | Location | Posted |
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Youth Mental Health Counselor | Youth & Family Services | El Reno, Oklahoma | 09/26/2023 |
Youth Mental Health Counselor Youth & Family Services, Inc. in El Reno, Oklahoma is currently seeking licensed (or under supervision) mental health therapist to serve adolescents, youth, and their families. Youth & Family Services is a fast-growing nonprofit organization who works to provide support for children, youth, and families in our community. All staff are trained in Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI). Counseling focuses on trauma, crisis intervention, ... More | |||
School Health Counselor | Undisclosed | White Cloud, Michigan | 09/25/2023 |
District Health Department #10 seeks a part-time or full-time School Health Counselor in Mason County Mason County Eastern Schools. This position will be based in Mason County. Part-Time Duties: Working independently, provides mental health therapy a school-based health center. Responsible for mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, groups, and referrals to outside agencies for students who attend Mason County Eastern Schools. ... More | |||
HIV Prevention Therapist | Oklahoma State University | Tulsa, Oklahoma | 09/25/2023 |
Job Summary: The Prevention Case Management Therapist will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary health care team to provide primary and secondary prevention case management services to all eligible patients. The Prevention Case Management Therapist provides patient screening/assessment, risk reduction education and counseling (i.e. sexual behaviors, substance abuse, mental health) and links the individual to appropriate providers, agencies and programs for mental ... More | |||
Lead Behavioral Health Counselor - Primewest | Bemidji, MN | Sanford Health | Bemidji, Minnesota | 09/23/2023 |
Facility:PrimewestLocation:Bemidji, MNAddress:3124 Hannah Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, USAShift:DayJob Schedule:Full timeWeekly Hours:40.00Salary Range:$28.00 - $44.00 Department Details Join the Behavioral Health ... More | |||
Licensed Mental Health Counselor - Abilene TCHATT | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Abilene, Texas | 09/23/2023 |
Position DescriptionProvides individual, family, and group counseling services to patients to address various mental health and wellness-related issues. Conducts assessments and helps patients to problem-solve areas of need. Helps to develop coping strategies and action-based goals and objectives for patients. May specialize in a particular area of counseling.Major/Essential FunctionsThe employee in this classification will be an essential team member of ... More | |||
Integrated Health Therapist - Children's Specialty Clinics | Sanford Health | Fargo, North Dakota | 09/21/2023 |
Facility:Veterans SquareLocation:Fargo, NDAddress:3955 56th St S, Fargo, ND 58104, USAShift:8 Hours - Day ShiftsJob Schedule:Full timeWeekly Hours:40.00Salary Range:$31.00 - $44.00Pay Info:$10,000 Sign ... More | |||
Behavioral Health Consultant | St. Charles Health System | Prineville, Oregon | 09/21/2023 |
What you can expect from us: We offer a COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS plan for full time positions Three medical plan choices: Caregiver Directed Health Plan (CDHP)/Prime PPO Plan Select /PPO Plan w/ Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) Dental plan: Delta Dental via Moda Health Two vision insurance plan choices: Full-service visual plan by Vision Service Plan (VSP)/Allowance plan administered by First Choice Health Retirement plans through Fidelity: ... More | |||
Licensed Mental Health Counselor - Wichita Falls ARPA | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Wichita Falls, Texas | 09/21/2023 |
Position DescriptionProvides individual, family, and group counseling services to patients to address various mental health and wellness-related issues. Conducts assessments and helps patients to problem-solve areas of need. Helps to develop coping strategies and action-based goals and objectives for patients. May specialize in a particular area of counseling.Major/Essential FunctionsThe employee in this classification will be an essential team member of ... More |