Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists work in variety of settings, such as mental health centers, substance abuse treatment centers, hospitals, and colleges. They also work in private practice and in employee assistance programs (EAPs), which are mental health programs that some employers provide to help employees deal with personal problems.
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The following table shows the industries with the highest percentages of mental health counselors in 2010:
| Individual and family services | 18% |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 16% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 12% |
| State and local government, excluding education and hospitals | 11% |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 10% |
The following table shows the industries with the highest percentages of marriage and family therapists in 2010:
| Individual and family services | 27% |
| State and local government, excluding education and hospitals | 22% |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 11% |
| Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians) | 6% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 4% |
Dealing every day with the array of problems that clients bring may be stressful.
Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists generally work full time. Because counseling sessions are scheduled to accommodate clients who may have job or family responsibilities, some counselors and therapists work evenings and weekends.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition
