If you have your bachorlor degree apply for mental health tech in a hospital..if you have associated degree focus on getting your bacholors degree. You can work with children trend and adults in various settings of you have your bacholors degree. The mental health field is always in need of workers. Good luck!

Hi, i am a little confused. You went to college and did childhood education and general education. But your focus is on recovery or mental illness....ok, not matter what you need to futher your education. If you like the psychology classes combined with your certifications you would be smart to do a doctor of psychology degree. In education a phd is required for you to advance yourself. Dont sell yourself short a phd in education is strong. I get you like the mental illness and recovery.. i think you need to ask yourself where do you see yourself in 5 years? What kind of life do you wish to live?. Do you want to be on call 24/7? Do you want to work so hard and perhaps never get a livable salary? I say this cause human services is a fulfilling job. Yet its exhausting. You rarely help any clients because policies do not allow. I wish someone explained this to me. You really need to focus on where you want your life to go first. Psychological deegrees are a dime a dozen. You need to specialize in an area that in 15 years is growing. Mental health and recovery in 15 years will be old. I am asking you to look inside you in 15 years and ask the tough questions. I dont know your age. But i would want you to jave something that others do not. College is great. You self taught yourself. You need to think about YOU IN 15 YEARS. yes its great to be happy and help people. But your education degree can put you in an array of positions. Including working outside of usa temporarily. Dont forget your salary and pension and when you retire. Its not a fast answer. Your thinking today or next week. Im saying think a long career path. You can always be happy with your choices. But no one gets to redo them over again. Please think about what i am saying.

Hi Lisa,

First you are going to need to ask yourself what population do you want to work with. Knowing that will help point you in the right direction. Do you want to work with Seniors?, Memory Care?, Adults? LGBTQIA+?, TAY?, AODS?, Adolescents?, Children?, ABA?. These are just a few in a myriad of populations that someone in the mental health field can work with. However, they also require specialized training...so continue with your education regardless of which population you choose to work with.
Contact the counseling office of the college you attended, ask if there is a counselor dedicated to Psych Majors at the school, reach out to that counselor and ask what employment resources they have available to you. If the college does not, ask the Dean of the Psych Department. You can also contact NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to see if they have available positions. You can also check with any hospital that has a Psych Ward, however, many require that you be a CNA to be hired. You can also contact shelters in your area to see if there are positions that you may qualify for. I hope that helps you get started. Good Luck!

Lisa,

First of all...Great job!

What field you are qualified to work within is based on your qualification and skills posted under that job. In the mental health field, they have specific requirements which are based on current laws for that state.

Try speaking with a school counselor and ask for help in finding a job placement for you. Also, you can contact your local Department of Labor and Employment Office. Each have information as to what field you are compatible with.

On another note, I’m not trying to discourage you, but you need too consider going back to school to continue your education and earn a Bachelors Degree. Most employers look for someone with a college degree. Associates degrees are a great accomplishment, but most of the time, jobs look for someone who have more education such as a Bachelors Degree or higher. Try considering this.

All in all good luck and message if you need additional information or help.

Talk to your school regarding career options, the next steps in education, and job placement. You may want to try local and government organizations which offer services to that population. In the meantime and if possible, try to volunteer at those or similar organizations to network. You got this. ☺️

Work as treatment assistant at a Rehab for addiction and with dual diagnosis mental illness

You’re going to want to advance to masters Level.... don’t stop the education process.

Check with your college counselor. Every state has different laws concerning what certificates and degrees are necessary to do different jobs in the mental health field. May God bless your efforts.o

Hi Lisa! I would reach out to your college for guidance and information concerning this. I am sure they could direct you to the best course of action!