What Do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Do?
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors advise people who have alcoholism or other types of addiction (drugs, gambling, etc.), eating disorders, mental health issues or other mental or behavioral problems. They provide support and treatments to help the client recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors by helping them identify behaviors and issues related to their addiction. They may also teach clients how to cope with stress and life’s problems in ways that help them recover. Many times, they help clients rebuild professional relationships and reestablish their careers. They may also help clients improve their personal relationships and find ways to discuss their addiction or other problems with family and friends.
Many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work with other health and mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, doctors, and nurses. Counseling sessions may be one-on-one, with families, or with groups of people.
For more information about substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, click here.
Where Do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Work?
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are most likely to work in outpatient care centers; they also work in individual and family service agencies and residential treatment facilities, mental health centers, community health centers, prisons, and private practice. Some work in a private practice alone or with other mental health professionals, and they may also work in hospitals or for public health programs.
How Much Do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Earn?
In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the United States was $56,230. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in New York earned a median annual salary of $56,375 (substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the 25th percentile made approximately $40,584 while those in the 75th percentile made approximately $73,659).
Supply and Demand
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the U.S. will increase by 22% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of jobs for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the state will increase by 33% between 2020 and 2030.
For more information on the need for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors by New York labor regions, 2018-2028, click here.
New York Educational Requirements
New York substance abuse counselors are credentialed by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). The official title is Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC).The Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) is a state certification that requires both academic and work experience and is for individuals who wish to provide alcoholism and substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling services in approved work settings in New York. In order to apply to become a CASAC in New York, applicants must be at least 18 years of age, reside or work in New York State at least 51 percent of the time, and must have earned at least a high school diploma or GED. CASAC applicants must meet specific competency and ethical conduct requirements, meet specific work experience requirements, meet minimum education and training requirements, and pass the credentialing exam.
For more information about CASACs in New York, go to: https://www.oasas.ny.gov/professional-credentialing
New York Licensure Requirements
New York State requires all mental health counselors to be licensed. For more information, click here.
Financial Support
Contact the financial aid offices of the education programs listed below to learn about financial support available at that school. Also, check the OASAS Resources page for additional support ideas and opportunities.
Education Programs in New York (subject to change)
| The College at Brockport-SUNY Substance Abuse Counselors Mental Health Counselor 350 New Campus Drive Brockport, NY 14420 (585) 395-2258 |
SUNY Plattsburgh Clinical Mental Health Counselor 101 Broad Street Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 564-2000 |
| Cazenovia College Counseling and Mental Health Alcohol & Substance Abuse Concentration CASAC 350 Hour Certificate 22 Sullivan Street Cazenovia, NY 13035 (800) 654-3210 |
Syracuse University Clinical Mental Health Counselor Addiction Studies (Minor) 259 Huntington Hall Syracuse, NY 13244 (315) 443-4752 |
| University of Rochester Mental Health Counselors Warner School of Education 500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd Rochester, NY 14627 (585) 275-3950 |
Canisius College Clinical Mental Health Counselor 2001 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14208 (716) 888-7000 |
| Orange County Community College Substance Abuse Counselor Training Program 115 South Street Middletown, NY 10940 (845) 341-4890 |
Lehman College-CUNY Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counselor 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West Bronx, NY 10468 (718) 960-8000 |
| Long Island University (LIU Post) C.W. Post Campus Clinical Mental Health Counselor & (OASAS) Substance Abuse Counselor Training 720 Northern Blvd. Brookville, NY 11548 (516) 299-2900 |
Long Island University (LIU Brentwood) Michael J. Grant Campus Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 1001 Crooked Hill Rd Brentwood, NY 11717 (631) 287-8500 |
| Long Island University (LIU Hudson) Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase, NY (914) 831-2700 145 College Rd, Suffern, NY (845) 574-4356 |
Manhattan University Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 4513 Manhattan College Parkway Riverdale, NY 10471 (718) 862-8000 |
| Iona College Mental Health Counseling Alcohol & Substance Abuse 715 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10801 (800) 231-4662 |
Clinton Community College Alcohol & Chemical Dependency Counseling 136 Clinton Point Drive Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 562-4192 |
| Corning Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 1 Academic Dr. Corning, NY 14830 (607) 962-9222 |
Dutchess Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling Mental Health Assistant 53 Pendell Rd Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845) 431-8000 |
| Erie Community College Mental Health Assistant- Substance Abuse Counseling 121 Ellicott St Buffalo, NY 14203 (716) 851-1322 |
Finger Lakes Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 3325 Marvin Sands Dr Canandaigua, NY 14424 (585) 394-3522 |
| Genesee Community College Alcohol & Substance Abuse Studies One College Rd Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 343-0055 |
Hudson Valley Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 80 Vandenburgh Ave Troy, NY 12180 (518) 629-4822 |
| Jamestown Community College Addictions Counseling 525 Falconer St Jamestown, NY 14702 (716) 338-1000 |
Jefferson Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 1220 Coffeen St Watertown, NY 13601 (315) 786-2200 |
| Kingsborough Community College Mental Health & Human Services Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 2001 Oriental Boulevard Brooklyn, NY 11235-2398 (718) 368-6547 (718) 368-5235 |
College of Staten Island Clinical Mental Health Counselor Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counselor 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, New York 10314 (718) 982-2000 |
| Adelphi University Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 1 South Ave Garden City, NY 11530 (800) 233-5744 |
Alfred University Mental Health Counseling 1 Saxon Dr Alfred, NY 14802 (607) 871-2111 |
| The College of Saint Rose Clinical Mental Health Counseling 432 Western Ave Albany, NY 12203 (800) 637-8556 |
Baruch College- CUNY Mental Health Counseling One Bernard Baruch Way (55 Lexington at 24th St) New York, NY 10010 (646) 312-1000 |
| Brooklyn College-CUNY Mental Health Counseling 2900 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11210 (718) 951-5000 |
City College of New York Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 160 Convent Ave New York, NY 10031 (212) 650-7000 |
| Fordham University Mental Health Counseling 113 W 60th St New York, NY 10023 (212) 636-6000 |
Hunter College -CUNY Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 695 Park Ave New York, NY 10065 (212) 772-4000 |
| Hofstra University Mental Health Counseling Addiction & Substance Abuse 900 Fulton Ave Hempstead, New York 11549 (516) 463-6600 |
Medaille College Clinical Mental Health Counseling 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY (716) 880-2000 1880 S Winton Rd, Rochester, NY (585) 272-0030 |
| Marist College Clinical Mental Health Counseling 3399 North Rd Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845) 575-3000 |
Mercy College Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 1200 Waters Place, Bronx, NY (877) 637-2946 |
| Mandl School-College of Allied Health Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling 254 W 54th St New York, NY 10019 (212) 247-3434 |
Mohawk Valley Community College Chemical Dependency Practitioner 1101 Sherman Dr Utica, NY 13501 (315) 792-5400 |
| Queens College-CUNY Mental Health Counseling 65-30 Kissena Blvd Queens, NY 11367 (718) 997-5000 |
St. Bonaventure University Clinical Mental Health Counselor 3261 West State Road St. Bonaventure, NY 14778 (716) 375-2000 |
| Molloy University Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol & Substance Abuse Training 1000 Hempstead Ave Rockville Centre, NY 11571 (888) 466-5569 |
Mohawk Valley Community College Chemical Dependency Practitioner 1101 Sherman Dr Utica, NY 13501 (315) 792-5400 |
| Monroe Community College Addictions Counseling 1000 E Henrietta Rd Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 292-2000 |
Nassau Community College Mental Health First Aid One Education Dr Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 572-7501 |
| New York University-Steinhardt Counseling for Mental Health & Wellness Mental Health Counseling-Online 246 Greene St 8th Fl New York, NY 10003 (212) 998-5555 |
Niagara University Clinical Mental Health Counseling 5795 Lewiston Road Niagara University, NY 14109 (716) 285-1212 |
| Niagara County Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd Sanborn, NY 14132 (716) 614-6222 |
North Country Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 23 Santanoni Ave Saranac Lake, NY 12983 (888) 879-6222 |
| Medgar Evers College Alcohol and Substance Abuse Training 1650 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11225 (718) 270-4900 |
Nyack College Mental Health Counseling 1 South Blvd Nyack, NY 10960 (845) 358-1710 |
| Pace University Mental Health Counseling (psychology/mental health dual degree) 861 Bedford Rd Pleasantville, NY 10570 (914) 773-3200 |
Schenectady County Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 78 Washington Ave Schenectady, NY 12305 (518) 381-1200 |
| Yeshiva University Mental Health Counseling 500 W 185th St New York, NY 10033 (212) 960-5400 |
St. John Fisher College Mental Health Counseling 3690 East Ave Rochester, NY 14618 (585) 385-8000 |
| St. John’s University Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Substance Abuse Training 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439 |
Suffolk County Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling Crooked Hill Rd Brentwood, NY 11717 (631) 851-6700 |
| University at Albany-SUNY Mental Health Counseling 1400 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12222 (518) 442-3300 |
SUNY Broome Chemical Dependency Counseling 907 Upper Front St Binghamton, NY 13905 (607) 778-5000 |
| SUNY New Paltz Clinical Mental Health Counseling 1 Hawk Dr New Paltz, NY 12561 (845) 257-7869 |
SUNY Old Westbury Mental Health Counseling 223 Store Hill Rd Old Westbury, NY 11568 (516) 876-3000 |
| SUNY Oswego Mental Health Counseling & Alcohol and Substance Abuse Training 7060 State Rte 104, Oswego, NY 13126 (315) 312-2500 2 Clinton Square, Syracuse, NY 13202 (315) 399-4100 |
SUNY Ulster Alcohol and Substance Abuse Training 491 Cottekill Rd Stone Ridge, NY 12484 (845) 687-5000 |
| Russell Sage College Counseling & Community Psychology with Alcohol and Substance Abuse Training 65 1st St Troy, NY 12180 (518) 244-2000 |
Tompkins Cortland Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 170 North St Dryden, NY 13053 (607) 844-8211 |
| Touro College Clinical Mental Health Counseling 1700 Union Blvd Bay Shore, NY 11706 (631) 665-1600 |
University at Buffalo Mental Health Counseling 12 Capen Hall Buffalo, NY 14260 (716) 645-2000 |
| Westchester Community College Chemical Dependency Counseling 75 Grasslands Rd Valhalla, NY 10595 (914) 606-6600 |
Alliance University Mental Health Counseling 2 Washington St. New York, NY 10004 (212) 625-0500 |
Additional Web Links
For more information on substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, go to:
- New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) http://www.oasas.ny.gov/
- Council for Accreditation Counseling and Related Educational Programs: http://www.cacrep.org/
- American Counseling Association: http://www.counseling.org/
- National Board of Certified Counselors: http://www.nbcc.org/