Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Trauma Emphasis
Study the Complexities of Trauma To Promote Lasting Recovery
A traumatic experience can result in acute symptoms and long-term complications. Through intensive trauma counseling, individuals may begin to reclaim their health and wellness. Trauma counselors often choose this field because they are highly compassionate and empathetic people who heed God’s call to serve others. To be qualified to become a trauma counselor, you can earn your Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Trauma at Grand Canyon University.
Earn Your MSCMHC Trauma Counseling Emphasis From GCU
The master’s in clinical mental health counseling trauma emphasis is offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. As a student, you will examine the causes and effects of trauma across the lifespan, and the intricacies of human behavior. There is a focus on the application of evidence-based research to assess and treat trauma-related disorders.
This mental health counseling program fulfills GCU’s mission of enabling students to be effective communicators, innovative thinkers, transformative leaders and global contributors. As a student, you are inspired to strive for professional excellence through the rigorous Christian worldview curriculum and hands-on, supervised field experiences.
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All Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs
GCU’s master’s in clinical mental health counseling features emphasis programs tailored to your career goals and interests. Whether you’re interested in Christian counseling, marriage and family therapy or child and adolescent care, we offer pathways designed to empower you as a compassionate mental health professional.
Trauma Counseling Emphasis Areas of Study
The courses in this master’s in clinical mental health Counseling: trauma program were selected to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. A master’s degree is required for clinical licensure in all 50 states.
In this program’s courses, you will thoroughly examine the following topic areas:
- Interpersonal violence, including its contributing factors, treatment implications and best practices
- Major counseling theories and principles, including existential psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and reality therapy
- Culturally responsive counseling strategies and interventions
- Short-term and longitudinal impacts of childhood trauma
- Best practices for working with communities in crisis
In addition, students pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling trauma emphasis will complete the Counseling Practicum and two internships. These hands-on, supervised experiences in the field round out the students’ coursework and reinforce the advanced skills needed to be effective professional counselors.
Career Paths for Trauma Counseling Professionals
As an aspiring trauma counselor, you may one day assist clients who are struggling with complex trauma, childhood trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You might work with victims of natural disasters, mass shooting events, assault or childhood abuse. Trauma counseling can be an emotionally challenging but highly fulfilling career path. Trauma counselors are employed in a range of settings, including:
- Hospitals and clinics, including military hospitals
- Prisons and juvenile detention facilities
- Inpatient psychiatric centers and outpatient psychiatric programs
- Community-based health centers
- Nonprofit and faith-based organizations
This online trauma emphasis program can help prepare graduates for professional licensure. The program meets Arizona’s academic requirements for licensure as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Students who wish to practice in another state are responsible for verifying the state’s specific requirements.
Earn Your Counseling Degree From an Accredited University
Grand Canyon University is dedicated to preparing our graduate students to effectively address modern challenges in their respective fields. As an institutionally accredited university we prioritize academic quality. In addition, the Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards set by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are interested in working with clients impacted by trauma, read our responses to the questions below and get started on earning your master’s in clinical mental health counseling online degree.
Take the first step to making an impact in the lives of those facing trauma.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved on Dec. 9, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors as of May 2023, retrieved Dec. 9, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.