Mental Health Counselor

O*NET: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors·21-1014.00

The Verdict:Mental health counseling relies on human empathy, real-time rapport, and trust built in sessions--elements AI chatbots cannot replicate for complex emotional needs or crises. Law mandates licensed humans, and paperwork is augmented by tools, making counselors more effective. Demand grows with mental health awareness; the role adapts but persists securely over the next decade.

Resilience Score

/100

Highly Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$59k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+16.8%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 0 of 28 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
16 of 28 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 43% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

0exposed

12AI leverage

16human-essential

View all 28 tasks

AI Can Handle This0 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

No exposed tasks identified

AI Leverage12 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.

Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.

Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.

Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students.

Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.

Collaborate with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.

Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.

Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.

Monitor clients' use of medications.

Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.

Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.

Respond to client communications by monitoring voicemail and email, returning phone calls, and making follow-up calls for missed appointments.

Human Advantage16 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.

Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.

Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others.

Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.

Perform crisis interventions with clients.

Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.

Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.

Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.

Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status.

Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.

Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.

Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.

Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.

Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.

Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.

Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.

Resilience Landscape

Mental Health Counselor lands in Stable, Lower Pay

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