5 answers
Sandra
Student
Camarillo, California
1
Question
Asked
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How to find work in Mental Health without degree? #Spring25
I am going to the school for MFT but I would like to gain experience ahead of time. What kind of job can I get and how?
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2522
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Sandra !
You didn't mention if you are currently in high school or currently in college for what degree, so I will give you some general information.
Since you will be or are currently going to college for an ultimate career as a Marriage and Family Therapist, you should Major in Counseling or Psychology. You didn't say what grade or year of college you are in, so advising is kind of general for where to go to get experience. First and foremost, you will need to make strong connections with either your Guidance Counselor or Academic Counselor.
In general, you may not be able to work directly with clients if you have no experience, Your academic college path will prepare you for this, however, you can certainly do volunteer work in a social service organization or community service capacity. Years ago, client workers and case manager positions had been open with applicants requiring only a high school diploma, but now a days, people with Bachelors Degrees are filling up those positions. If you lived in a very large city or wanted to work at a Homeless Shelter in a major city, there still may be jobs open requiring only a high school diploma. You are going to need to read employment notices for your town to see what the trend is.
For volunteer work to introduce you to services and clients, some of your local places you can volunteer at are Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families, Camarillo Health Care District (they have positions for Care Consultants - see if you qualify. It's a social service.), ACTION, and the Ventura County Rescue Mission. Your teachers and/or professors may know more places so definitely communicate with them. Not every opportunity is listed online, so it pays to become familiar with the people at school.
If you are in college, for a major connected to Marriage and Family Counseling, ask your professor if you will have Internship Placement in your Junior and Senior year. Most of your opportunities are going to stem from your school right now and guidance by your teachers and staff at your school. Whether you are in high school or college there are supports through high school social workers or on campus Career Centers.
If you are currently in college, check your financial aid papers (if you applied for Federal Student Financial Aid) or check with your Financial Aid Officer on campus to see if you already were awarded Work Study. You can work a Work Study job in your major department on campus. If they say it's too late, negotiate with the major depart to create a position such as peer counseling, doing situational counseling for fellow students on campus. Verify all of this information with your academic counselor who can ask you questions about the details of you situation.
I hope this was a little help and I wish you all the best !
You didn't mention if you are currently in high school or currently in college for what degree, so I will give you some general information.
Since you will be or are currently going to college for an ultimate career as a Marriage and Family Therapist, you should Major in Counseling or Psychology. You didn't say what grade or year of college you are in, so advising is kind of general for where to go to get experience. First and foremost, you will need to make strong connections with either your Guidance Counselor or Academic Counselor.
In general, you may not be able to work directly with clients if you have no experience, Your academic college path will prepare you for this, however, you can certainly do volunteer work in a social service organization or community service capacity. Years ago, client workers and case manager positions had been open with applicants requiring only a high school diploma, but now a days, people with Bachelors Degrees are filling up those positions. If you lived in a very large city or wanted to work at a Homeless Shelter in a major city, there still may be jobs open requiring only a high school diploma. You are going to need to read employment notices for your town to see what the trend is.
For volunteer work to introduce you to services and clients, some of your local places you can volunteer at are Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families, Camarillo Health Care District (they have positions for Care Consultants - see if you qualify. It's a social service.), ACTION, and the Ventura County Rescue Mission. Your teachers and/or professors may know more places so definitely communicate with them. Not every opportunity is listed online, so it pays to become familiar with the people at school.
If you are in college, for a major connected to Marriage and Family Counseling, ask your professor if you will have Internship Placement in your Junior and Senior year. Most of your opportunities are going to stem from your school right now and guidance by your teachers and staff at your school. Whether you are in high school or college there are supports through high school social workers or on campus Career Centers.
If you are currently in college, check your financial aid papers (if you applied for Federal Student Financial Aid) or check with your Financial Aid Officer on campus to see if you already were awarded Work Study. You can work a Work Study job in your major department on campus. If they say it's too late, negotiate with the major depart to create a position such as peer counseling, doing situational counseling for fellow students on campus. Verify all of this information with your academic counselor who can ask you questions about the details of you situation.
I hope this was a little help and I wish you all the best !
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi Sandra!
Great question! Here are some entry level jobs
1. Mental Health Technician / Behavioral Health Tech – These jobs are in hospitals or treatment centers, helping patients with daily activities and reporting to licensed therapists or nurses. A lot of them only ask for a high school diploma + some training.
2. Crisis Hotline Volunteer/Worker – Places like Crisis Text Line or local organizations offer training to talk with people in crisis. Great experience in communication and empathy.
3. Residential Counselor / Direct Support Professional (DSP) – You work in group homes with people who have mental health conditions or developmental disabilities. Usually you just need to be 18+ and complete some basic training.
4. Peer Support Specialist – If you have lived experience with mental health or recovery, some states let you get certified to support others going through similar challenges.
5. Teacher’s Aide / Paraeducator (especially in special ed or emotional support classrooms) – Not technically therapy, but still valuable experience working with behavioral challenges in schools.
Even just volunteering at a mental health nonprofit, shelter, or mentoring program looks great and gives you exposure. Hope this helps:)
Great question! Here are some entry level jobs
1. Mental Health Technician / Behavioral Health Tech – These jobs are in hospitals or treatment centers, helping patients with daily activities and reporting to licensed therapists or nurses. A lot of them only ask for a high school diploma + some training.
2. Crisis Hotline Volunteer/Worker – Places like Crisis Text Line or local organizations offer training to talk with people in crisis. Great experience in communication and empathy.
3. Residential Counselor / Direct Support Professional (DSP) – You work in group homes with people who have mental health conditions or developmental disabilities. Usually you just need to be 18+ and complete some basic training.
4. Peer Support Specialist – If you have lived experience with mental health or recovery, some states let you get certified to support others going through similar challenges.
5. Teacher’s Aide / Paraeducator (especially in special ed or emotional support classrooms) – Not technically therapy, but still valuable experience working with behavioral challenges in schools.
Even just volunteering at a mental health nonprofit, shelter, or mentoring program looks great and gives you exposure. Hope this helps:)
Jimmy Bell, CPCN
Nutritionist
23
Answers
Napa, California
Updated
Jimmy’s Answer
Instead of focusing on the kind of job you can get, think about the job you want to have after finishing school. Contact professionals working in that job or industry and ask if they need help. You could also reach out to well-known people in your field, offering your help for free to gain experience. If you have special skills, offer those to help them with their work. Often, the best chances come from offering help to someone at the right moment.
Ava Jarman
Social Work / Psychology / Occupational Therapy
2
Answers
Lawrence, Kansas
Updated
Ava’s Answer
Love this mindset — you're seriously setting yourself up for success. 🙌
Short answer:
You can absolutely get work experience in mental health without having your MFT degree yet.
There are tons of entry-level jobs that prefer a bachelor's or even just "some college," especially for someone who is working toward a counseling or psychology degree.
🌟 Good Mental Health Jobs You Can Get Without a Master's Yet:
Job Title What You’ll Do Notes
Behavioral Health Technician Help clients with daily activities, monitor behaviors, support treatment plans Common in hospitals, residential centers, clinics
Mental Health Technician Similar to above; often assisting licensed therapists or social workers Usually requires training but not a license
Case Manager Assistant Help coordinate services like housing, jobs, healthcare for clients Some places hire "assistants" without a degree
Psychiatric Aide / Assistant Support nurses, social workers, counselors in psychiatric hospitals Great hands-on exposure to clinical mental health settings
Crisis Hotline Counselor (Paid or Volunteer) Provide immediate support by phone or text for people in crisis AMAZING experience for counseling career — and they usually train you!
Residential Counselor Work in group homes/shelters for teens, adults with mental health needs Great real-world experience with crisis intervention
Peer Support Specialist (if eligible) Use personal mental health experience to support others Some programs allow you even if you're just a student, esp. with training
Rehabilitation Specialist Assistant Help clients with skill building for independent living Community mental health centers often hire undergrad students
🔥 How to Find These Jobs:
Indeed / LinkedIn Jobs: Search keywords like Behavioral Health Technician, Mental Health Assistant, Residential Counselor, Crisis Counselor
(Pro tip: add “entry-level” or “no degree required” in search filters)
-Local Hospitals and Clinics: Look at psychiatric units, behavioral health departments, and outpatient programs.
-Nonprofits: Big ones like NAMI, Mental Health America, Crisis Text Line often have paid and volunteer roles.
-State/County Public Health Departments: They sometimes hire support staff for community mental health initiatives.
-College Career Center: Schools sometimes partner with local organizations who LOVE hiring psych/mental health students.
-Networking: If you can, connect with professors or local therapists — sometimes they know agencies desperate for good help.
📋 Pro-Tips to Get Hired Faster:
-Highlight your goal: "I'm a current student planning to earn an MFT degree, passionate about mental health work."
-Talk about soft skills: Active listening, empathy, crisis management (even if it’s from other jobs like customer service, childcare, teaching!).
-Consider getting certifications: (Optional but impressive)
-Mental Health First Aid Certification (1 day class)
-Crisis Intervention Training (sometimes free through volunteer orgs)
-Be willing to take an overnight, part-time, or weekend shift: (entry points often open there!)
💬 Example:
"I'm graduating Spring '25 and working toward my MFT license. In the meantime, I'm eager to work in the mental health field to build hands-on experience. I'm especially interested in supporting clinical teams, working directly with clients, and continuing to learn best practices."
That's the vibe you want to give off in your applications/interviews! Hope this helped!
Short answer:
You can absolutely get work experience in mental health without having your MFT degree yet.
There are tons of entry-level jobs that prefer a bachelor's or even just "some college," especially for someone who is working toward a counseling or psychology degree.
🌟 Good Mental Health Jobs You Can Get Without a Master's Yet:
Job Title What You’ll Do Notes
Behavioral Health Technician Help clients with daily activities, monitor behaviors, support treatment plans Common in hospitals, residential centers, clinics
Mental Health Technician Similar to above; often assisting licensed therapists or social workers Usually requires training but not a license
Case Manager Assistant Help coordinate services like housing, jobs, healthcare for clients Some places hire "assistants" without a degree
Psychiatric Aide / Assistant Support nurses, social workers, counselors in psychiatric hospitals Great hands-on exposure to clinical mental health settings
Crisis Hotline Counselor (Paid or Volunteer) Provide immediate support by phone or text for people in crisis AMAZING experience for counseling career — and they usually train you!
Residential Counselor Work in group homes/shelters for teens, adults with mental health needs Great real-world experience with crisis intervention
Peer Support Specialist (if eligible) Use personal mental health experience to support others Some programs allow you even if you're just a student, esp. with training
Rehabilitation Specialist Assistant Help clients with skill building for independent living Community mental health centers often hire undergrad students
🔥 How to Find These Jobs:
Indeed / LinkedIn Jobs: Search keywords like Behavioral Health Technician, Mental Health Assistant, Residential Counselor, Crisis Counselor
(Pro tip: add “entry-level” or “no degree required” in search filters)
-Local Hospitals and Clinics: Look at psychiatric units, behavioral health departments, and outpatient programs.
-Nonprofits: Big ones like NAMI, Mental Health America, Crisis Text Line often have paid and volunteer roles.
-State/County Public Health Departments: They sometimes hire support staff for community mental health initiatives.
-College Career Center: Schools sometimes partner with local organizations who LOVE hiring psych/mental health students.
-Networking: If you can, connect with professors or local therapists — sometimes they know agencies desperate for good help.
📋 Pro-Tips to Get Hired Faster:
-Highlight your goal: "I'm a current student planning to earn an MFT degree, passionate about mental health work."
-Talk about soft skills: Active listening, empathy, crisis management (even if it’s from other jobs like customer service, childcare, teaching!).
-Consider getting certifications: (Optional but impressive)
-Mental Health First Aid Certification (1 day class)
-Crisis Intervention Training (sometimes free through volunteer orgs)
-Be willing to take an overnight, part-time, or weekend shift: (entry points often open there!)
💬 Example:
"I'm graduating Spring '25 and working toward my MFT license. In the meantime, I'm eager to work in the mental health field to build hands-on experience. I'm especially interested in supporting clinical teams, working directly with clients, and continuing to learn best practices."
That's the vibe you want to give off in your applications/interviews! Hope this helped!