Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Jobs & Career Guide

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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 counseling

Here 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Private practice: Some LPCs may choose to open their own private practice and provide counseling services to clients on a fee-for-service basis.
  3. Online therapy: increasing numbers of LPCs work via the various online therapy platforms conducting video calls with their clients.
  4. Schools and universities: LPCs may work in schools and universities providing counseling services to students, faculty, and staff.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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 Listings

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Position Company Location Posted
Licensed Mental Health Therapist Daybreak Health Remote 05/11/2023
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Assistant Professor - Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Program - Fresno Campus Alliant International University Fresno, California 05/11/2023
Alliant International University is a professional practice University committed to excellence in four areas:Education for Professional Practice, Scholarship, Multicultural and International Competence and Community Engagement.The University provides students with the highest quality of education through excellence and innovation in academic scholarship, applied training and research, and community service, particularly to underserved populations.Through its Mission, the University's ... More
Assistant Professor - Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Program - Fresno Campus Alliant International University Fresno, California 05/11/2023
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Assistant Professor - Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Program - Fresno Campus Alliant International University Fresno, California 05/11/2023
Alliant International University is a professional practice University committed to excellence in four areas:Education for Professional Practice, Scholarship, Multicultural and International Competence and Community Engagement.The University provides students with the highest quality of education through excellence and innovation in academic scholarship, applied training and research, and community service, particularly to underserved populations.Through its Mission, the University's ... More
Assistant Professor - Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Program - Fresno Campus Alliant International University Fresno, California 05/11/2023
Alliant International University is a professional practice University committed to excellence in four areas:Education for Professional Practice, Scholarship, Multicultural and International Competence and Community Engagement.The University provides students with the highest quality of education through excellence and innovation in academic scholarship, applied training and research, and community service, particularly to underserved populations.Through its Mission, the University's ... More
ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT TEAM COORDINATOR Loudoun County Government Leesburg, Virginia 05/10/2023
The Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services is currently seeking an energetic and dynamic LMHP for the position of Assertive Community Treatment Team Coordinator. This position provides clinical, administrative and supervisory responsibility to the team. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) provides support to adults with serious mental illnesses, and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. The ACT team serves individuals throughout Loudoun County and ... More
THERAPIST, ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT Loudoun County Government Leesburg, Virginia 05/10/2023
The Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services is currently seeking an energetic and dynamic mental health clinician for the position of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Clinician. This position will provide assertive community treatment services to adults with serious mental illnesses, and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. The ACT team serves individuals throughout Loudoun County and is responsible to respond with treatment interventions in ... More
TEAM COORDINATOR: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OUTPATIENT PROGRAM Loudoun County Government Leesburg, Virginia 05/10/2023
The team coordinator provides a clinical leadership role on the Behavioral Health Outpatient (BHOP) Team which specializes in providing evidence based, trauma informed, integrated services for individuals with substance abuse, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. This position provides supervision and oversight of treatment services while assuring appropriate diagnostic, preventive, and treatment services are provided to youth who are at risk or have Serious Emotional ... More
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