Category: Future Students

Supporting Mental Health in a Changing World: The Role of Counseling Education

The mental health landscape has undergone profound changes in recent years, spurred by rising awareness and the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities across the world are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, creating an unprecedented demand for mental health services. A 2021 survey by the World Health Organization revealed that mental health conditions have surged by 25% since the start of the pandemic, straining our already limited resources. In the United States, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that nearly one in five adults lives with a mental illness, yet access to care remains inadequate, especially in underserved areas.

In this environment, the need for competent, compassionate counselors has never been greater. The Master of Arts in Counseling program at Central is uniquely positioned to continue to grow new clinicians who can help meet this ever-increasing need. Through the combination of excellent academic training in a faith-based environment with a foundation in cultural competence, our programs are equipping future counselors to address the mental health challenges of today and tomorrow.

The mental health crisis has revealed critical gaps in the availability of qualified professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for mental health counselors will grow by 22% from 2021 to 2031, far exceeding the average growth rate for other professions. The shortage of mental health professionals, especially in rural and underserved communities, leaves millions without access to timely care.

Counselors today face unique challenges beyond meeting demand. They must navigate complex societal issues, such as the effects of social media on mental health, increasing suicide rates among youth, and the enduring stigma surrounding mental illness. Moreover, they must contend with systemic barriers like inequities in healthcare access, funding shortages for community mental health programs, and cultural stigma around simply going to therapy.

Amid these pressures, counselors are called not only to offer clinical expertise but also to demonstrate deep compassion and adaptability. This dual need underscores the importance of education programs that prepare graduates to serve diverse populations while maintaining their commitment to self-care to avoid burnout and a clinician shortage.

At Central, our counseling education is grounded in the belief that true healing comes from addressing the whole person. Maintaining a mind-body-spirit foundation, our scholar practitioners work to provide students with an integrative and holistic counselor education.

Students at Central benefit from courses that address contemporary mental health challenges, such as trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and the integration of faith in therapy. For example, our class on trauma and post traumatic diagnoses provides students with tools to help clients process and recover from adverse experiences, a skill increasingly vital in the wake of collective crises like the pandemic. Similarly, coursework on cultural competence emphasizes the importance of understanding clients’ diverse backgrounds and tailoring interventions accordingly.

Practical experiences complement classroom learning. Central students engage in supervised clinical practicums, allowing them to work directly with clients under the guidance of experienced supervisors. These hands-on opportunities are essential for developing confidence and expertise, particularly in navigating complex mental health cases.

As our program grows, the influence of Central graduates is evident in the transformative work they perform in their communities. Alumni from the counseling program have gone on to serve in diverse settings, including hospitals, churches, community health organizations, and private practice.

One recent graduate, for example, works with the homeless population addressing the dual challenges of poverty and mental health stigma. Using techniques learned at Central and additional training opportunities they were exposed to while in their internship, they have helped clients overcome much adversity and build resilience providing resources, affordable care, and a counseling experience where their clients are met with dignity.

Other alumni and students are serving across the globe. From Seattle to Atlanta and Ghana to Canada, our students continue to combine their clinical skills, ever present desire to grow, and the spiritual perspective that brings comfort and healing to countless clients.

The far-reaching effects of a Central education, demonstrates that our students walk out the door as prepared counselors that have already begun to create ripples of change in their communities.

As we watch the mental health field stand at a critical juncture, with rising demand underscoring the urgency of equipping more professionals to meet the needs of struggling individuals, we at Central are preparing counselors who can offer both clinical excellence and compassionate care rooted in our faith. Together, we can build a future where mental health care is accessible to all, delivered by counselors who embody both competence and care. As the challenges facing society evolve, so too must our commitment to preparing those who can meet them with strength and grace.