What Is Career Counseling, And How Can It Impact Mental Health?

Career counseling is a process in which a trained professional helps you explore your interests, skills, and values to make informed decisions about your education and work life. Because people often spend a significant portion of their lives at work, finding a fulfilling career that supports both professional growth and mental well-being can be valuable. Below, learn what career counseling involves, what career counselors do during sessions, signs that career support might help, and how to find the right professional for your needs.

What is career counseling?

Unlike casual advice from friends or family, career counseling typically involves structured conversations, assessments, and planning designed to help you understand yourself better and identify work that aligns with who you are.

Career counseling can address a wide range of concerns at different life stages. Some common areas that career counseling may help with include:

• Choosing a college major or field of study
• Exploring career options after graduation
• Navigating a career transition or change
• Addressing job dissatisfaction or burnout
• Identifying skills and strengths for career advancement

Working with a career counselor can provide structure and support as you work through these decisions, helping you move forward with greater confidence.

The difference between career counseling and career coaching

While career counselors and career coaches may play similar roles, there can be subtle differences in their approaches. Career counselors often have formal training in counseling and may address deeper psychological factors that influence career decisions, such as self-doubt, anxiety about change, or self-sabotaging tendencies. Career coaches, on the other hand, may focus more on short-term goals and specific action steps, like preparing for an interview or negotiating a salary. Neither career counselors nor career coaches typically specialize in mental health treatment, but licensed therapists can address career-related mental health concerns when needed.

What does a career counselor do?

A career counselor usually provides guidance and support as you explore your professional options and make decisions about your work life. During sessions, they may use a combination of conversation, assessments, and planning tools to help you gain clarity. The process often involves self-assessment, exploration, and action planning tailored to your unique situation.

Common activities in career counseling sessions may include:

1. Conducting intake conversations to understand your background, goals, and concerns

2. Administering personality, interest, or skills assessments

3. Exploring career options that align with your values and strengths

4. Setting short-term and long-term professional goals

5. Developing action plans for job searching, networking, or skill-building

6. Providing support with resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation

The specific focus of your sessions may depend on where you are in your career journey and what you hope to achieve.

Common assessments and tools used in career counseling

Some career counselors use standardized assessments to help you better understand your personality, interests, and skills. These might include personality inventories, interest assessments, or skills evaluations. The results can provide a starting point for conversations about which careers might be a good fit and what steps you might take to pursue them.

What to expect in your first session

Your first career counseling session typically involves an intake conversation where the counselor learns about your background, education, work history, and goals. They may ask about your values, what you enjoy doing, and any challenges you've faced in your career. Coming prepared to discuss your concerns and what you hope to gain from counseling can make the session more productive. From there, you and your counselor can work together to create a plan for future sessions.

How career counseling may support your mental health

A 2024 survey revealed that around half of US workers consider themselves extremely satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs overall. A career that makes you unhappy or leads you to feel drained or stressed could take a toll on your mental health. Career dissatisfaction can affect mental health in various ways, and addressing career concerns may be an important part of overall well-being.

An unhealthy work environment or career mismatch may contribute to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood changes
• Physical health challenges
• Difficulty maintaining work-life balance

Career counseling sessions may help a person better understand themselves and determine their talents, which can be especially helpful if workplace anxiety is prompting a search for less stressful jobs or a more rewarding career path. Counseling can help individuals make more educated life and career decisions by better understanding their wants, needs, personality, strengths, interests, and skills. Setting ambitious goals that align with your values may also contribute to a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction.

The connection between career satisfaction and well-being

When you spend a third or more of your life at work, how you feel about your career can influence your overall quality of life. Job satisfaction may be linked to better mental and physical health outcomes. Gaining clarity about your career direction through counseling may reduce stress and increase your sense of control over your professional life, which can positively affect your well-being beyond the workplace.

Signs you may benefit from career counseling

There are several reasons someone might seek out a career counselor during various life stages. If you're uncertain about your career path, feeling stuck professionally, or have no motivation to do anything at your current job, career counseling may offer support. Some signs that career counseling might be beneficial include:

• Feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your current role
• Dreading going to work most days
• Considering a career change but feeling uncertain about next steps
• Graduating soon and not being sure which career to pursue
• Returning to the workforce after time away
• Experiencing poor work-life balance
• Feeling like your earning potential is limited in your current field

Career counseling can also be valuable for someone who has been in one career for a long time and feels bored or has always dreamed of a new career path but is nervous about making the jump.

Career counseling for students and recent graduates

For students, career counseling can help with choosing a major, understanding what jobs are available with a specific degree, and planning the steps needed to enter a desired field. School counselors or advisors may assist in finding colleges that offer relevant programs and help identify internship or networking opportunities. One benefit of meeting with a school counselor is that their services may be free for enrolled students. Recent graduates may benefit from the support of a career counselor as they enter the workforce.

Career counseling for mid-career transitions

If you've been working in one field for years and are considering a change, career counseling can provide guidance on how to make a career change. A counselor can help you assess your transferable skills, explore new industries, and create a plan for transitioning to work that is more aligned with your current interests and values. Making a career change can feel daunting, but having professional support may make the process more manageable.

Types of career counseling professionals

Career counseling may take many forms and can be provided by various professionals, depending on your goals and needs. Understanding the differences between these professionals can help you choose the right type of support.

School counselors and career advisors

A school counselor or advisor can offer support through one-on-one conversations if you're a student or alumnus trying to decide on a major or want to understand what jobs you can pursue with a specific degree path. They may assist you in finding colleges that offer majors in line with your career needs and help you identify what you want out of your career after college. Their advice often relates to immediate next steps, such as what classes to take or what on-campus networking events to attend.

Certified career counselors

Certified career counselors typically have formal training and credentials, such as being a National Certified Counselor (NCC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a specialty in career development. The National Board for Certified Counselorsoffers a search tool to help you find credentialed professionals in your area. These counselors may take a more in-depth approach to career exploration, addressing both practical concerns and underlying factors that influence career decisions.

Career coaches and life coaches

Career coaches and life coaches may take a goal-oriented approach to career guidance. They could encourage you to envision your ideal life, including what you see yourself doing for your career, and then help you break down the steps needed to get there. Career coaches may focus on specific outcomes, like landing a new job or negotiating a promotion. They may or may not have a degree or license in job counseling or a related field, so it can be helpful to ask about their background and approach.

Licensed therapists who address career concerns

Working with a licensed therapist can allow you to receive guidance on your career while also addressing mental health factors that may be affecting your professional life. Therapists may take a broader view of your life, outlook, and mental health status, considering your career as one piece of that. They may help you get to know yourself better so you can choose a fitting career, build self-confidence for the roles you seek, and set healthy boundaries with bosses and colleagues at work.

How much does career counseling cost?

The cost of career counseling can vary depending on the professional's credentials, location, and the format of sessions. Generally, career counseling sessions may range from $100 to $250 per session, though how much therapy costs can be higher or lower based on various factors.

Some options may be more affordable or even free. School counselors typically offer services at no cost to enrolled students. Some employers provide career counseling or coaching through employee assistance programs (EAPs). Online platforms may offer different pricing structures that could be more accessible than traditional in-person sessions. When considering career counseling, it can be helpful to ask about fees upfront and inquire about any sliding scale options that might be available.

How to find a career counselor

Connecting with your university counselor or advisor can be a beneficial first step if you're a student. If you're interested in finding a licensed career counselor, you can try a search engine like the one offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It may also be worth visiting any career centers in your local area. If you're looking for a life coach, you can search through an online directory or look on a social media network. Remember that you can also find career counselors through online platforms, which may result in a faster connection with a professional who meets your needs and preferences. Starting your career counselor search the right way may involve exploring multiple options to find the best fit.

Questions to ask a potential career counselor

When considering working with a career counselor, asking questions can help you determine if they're the right fit. You might ask about their credentials and training, their approach to career counseling, and what a typical session looks like. Inquiring about their experience with clients in similar situations to yours can also be helpful. Understanding their process and what they expect from you as a client can set the stage for a productive working relationship.

Working with a therapist for career-related concerns

A career counselor can be a great option, but if you'd prefer a holistic approach to career concerns or want support with career-related mental health factors, finding a therapist near you may be beneficial. Therapists can help you get to know yourself better so that you can make life and career choices that work for you. If you're wondering what career is right for you, a therapist can help you explore that question while also addressing any anxiety or stress that might be making decisions feel overwhelming.

Therapists can also work with you to build healthy habits that can benefit your career, such as:

• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Stress management skills
• Decision-making confidence
• Boundary-setting with colleagues and supervisors

Setting healthy career goals and working toward them may feel more achievable with the support of a mental health professional who understands the connection between work and well-being.

Benefits of online therapy

Online therapy can offer accessibility and flexibility that may be especially helpful when you're navigating career concerns alongside a busy work schedule. You might attend sessions during your lunch break or after work without needing to commute to an office. When career stress makes it hard to add another appointment to your calendar, the convenience of online therapy may make it easier to prioritize your mental health.

How online therapy may support career-related stress

Online therapy can be a practical option when career concerns are tied to stress, anxiety, or low mood. According to a 2026 meta-analysis, online career counseling appears to be a promising approach for enhancing career-related psychological development. BetterHelp's 2024 platform outcomes may also support the efficacy of online support options, with virtual therapy sessions receiving an average rating of 4.9 out of five, based on over 1.7 million user reviews.

For someone weighing career counseling alongside mental health support, online therapy may offer a flexible way to address both at the same time. The cost of online therapy via BetterHelp ranges from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, with costs based on your location, referral source, preferences, any applicable non-insurance discounts, and therapist availability. Some providers on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain health plans for eligible members, and average co-pays may be about $23 per session when covered. Learn more about insurance coverage. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability.

BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through UpLift as an additional care option alongside therapy. Psychiatry services may include medication management when clinically appropriate and based on a licensed psychiatric provider's evaluation. Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member's insurance plan.