2026 How to Become a Licensed Counselor (LPC) in Maryland

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Maryland’s pathway to becoming a licensed counselor is specific, document-heavy, and easy to misread if you are comparing advice from different states. The biggest decision is not simply “Which counseling master’s program should I choose?” It is whether the program, supervised experience plan, exams, and costs will actually move you toward Maryland’s independent counseling credential.

This guide is for prospective graduate students, recent counseling graduates, career changers, and supervised clinicians who want a practical roadmap to Maryland counseling licensure. You will learn what counselors do, how Maryland’s LGPC-to-LCPC process works, what education and clinical hours are required, how to compare programs, where counselors work, what salary data suggests, and which mistakes commonly delay licensure.

Quick answer: how do you become a licensed counselor in Maryland?

To become a licensed counselor in Maryland, you generally need a counseling or closely related graduate degree, supervised clinical experience, passing exam scores, and approval from the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. Many people search for “LPC in Maryland,” but Maryland’s independent clinical counseling credential is the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, or LCPC. The Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, or LGPC, is typically the supervised step before independent practice.

Key things to know before you start

• The average annual salary for counselors in Maryland is around $66,260, but actual earnings vary by setting, specialty, experience, location, and whether you work for an employer or in private practice.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of 18% for counselors by 2032, which indicates strong national demand for mental health services.
• Your graduate program should be evaluated against Maryland’s licensure rules before you enroll, especially if it is online or located outside Maryland.
• Supervised clinical hours must be carefully documented; incomplete records can slow down your application even if you completed the work.
• Passing the National Counselors Examination and the State Law Test is required, so exam preparation should be part of your timeline rather than an afterthought.

1. What counselors do and when clients seek their help
2. Top Counselor Programs in Maryland for 2026
3. Step-by-step path to Maryland counseling licensure
4. Maryland counseling education requirements
5. LGPC vs. LCPC: Maryland counseling credential types
6. Counselor salary in Maryland
7. Where Maryland counselors can work
8. Why continuing education matters for Maryland counselors
9. Current state of counseling in Maryland
10. Counseling job outlook in Maryland
11. Is becoming a counselor in Maryland worth it?
12. How telehealth is changing counseling practice in Maryland
13. Counseling licensure vs. psychology licensure in Maryland
14. Professional organizations and networking options
15. How to choose a counseling program in Maryland
16. Financial aid and cost-reduction options
17. How specialization can strengthen a Maryland counseling career
18. What to do next on the Maryland licensure path
19. How to move toward substance abuse counseling in Maryland
20. Recent regulatory considerations for Maryland LPC licensure
21. LPC, LMFT, and LCSW credentials compared
22. Using behavior analysis skills in counseling practice
23. Common barriers that can delay licensure
24. School counseling as an alternative route
25. Alternative careers for licensed counselors in Maryland

What do counselors do?

Counselors help people understand emotional, behavioral, relational, and life-adjustment challenges. They may work with individuals, couples, families, or groups, depending on their training, license, job setting, and scope of practice.

In a typical counseling role, the work involves listening carefully, assessing client concerns, identifying goals, developing a treatment plan, supporting behavior change, documenting services, and adjusting interventions as the client’s needs evolve. Counselors often address anxiety, depression, stress, grief, substance misuse, relationship strain, career transitions, and coping difficulties.

In Maryland, a total of 1,790 counselors as of 2025 are contributing to a behavioral health system that has received increased public attention. The state has also been focusing on behavioral health care, reflecting broader recognition that mental health access affects families, schools, workplaces, and communities.

Many counselors use a wellness-oriented approach. This means they do not only focus on symptoms; they also consider strengths, relationships, environment, coping skills, physical well-being, and the client’s capacity for long-term resilience.

Top Counselor Programs in Maryland for 2026

How to use this program list

A counseling master’s program is a major investment of time, money, and clinical preparation. Before choosing a school, confirm whether the curriculum, practicum, internship structure, accreditation, and credit requirements align with Maryland licensure expectations. This is especially important for online and out-of-state programs that may prepare students for licensure in multiple jurisdictions.

Research.com’s ranking process is based on a transparent methodology and uses information from sources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Peterson's databases including the Distance Learning Licensed Data Set, and the College Scorecard database from the National Center for Education Statistics. These sources help compare programs using consistent education and institutional data, but students should still verify licensure fit directly with the school and Maryland’s board.

Program comparison at a glance

1. Crown College

Crown College offers a fully online Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling designed for students who want counseling training within a Christ-centered academic environment. The program includes counseling theory, human development, assessment, intervention skills, and coursework that considers the relationship between faith and mental health practice.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/concentrations: Psychology/Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $610
• Required Credits to Graduate: 60 credits
• Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission

2. Waynesburg University

Waynesburg University provides a blended Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students complete online coursework along with in-person intensive components, which can be useful for learners who want flexibility but still value face-to-face clinical training and faculty interaction.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $705
• Required Credits to Graduate: 60 credits
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

3. Loyola University Maryland

Loyola University Maryland offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for students balancing graduate study with work or other responsibilities. Established around 2013, the program uses evening and weekend scheduling and combines online and campus-based learning components.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $730
• Required Credits to Graduate: 60 credits
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

4. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University offers a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in a primarily online format. As of 2026, this full-time program is designed to build advanced clinical counseling skills and may include some campus-based intensive experiences in addition to online coursework.

• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tracks/concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $1,200
• Required Credits to Graduate: 60 credits
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

5. Coppin State University

Coppin State University offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Rehabilitation Counseling. Established around 2018, the program emphasizes preparation for rehabilitation-related settings and supports students interested in helping people with disabilities pursue independence, employment, and improved quality of life.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/concentrations: Rehabilitation Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $585
• Required Credits to Graduate: 60 credits
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

What counseling graduates say about online and flexible programs

Key Findings

• The salary range for LPCs in Maryland is between $57,549 and $76,453.
• To qualify for an LPC license in Maryland, your graduate degree program must encompass a minimum of 60 graduate semester credit hours.
• A minimum of 3,000 hours of clinical experience is required for master's graduates, with at least 2,000 hours completed post-graduation.

What are the steps to become an LPC in Maryland?

In Maryland, there are 26 training programs offered by colleges and universities as of 2025-2026 for students pursuing counseling licensure. The process generally follows a sequence: complete the right graduate degree, obtain supervised clinical experience, pass required exams, apply to the board, and maintain the license through continuing education.

1. Complete the required graduate education

Start with a master's degree of at least 60 semester credits or a doctorate of at least 90 semester credits in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Some students compare faith-integrated options, such as an online Christian counseling master's degree, but the key question is always whether the curriculum satisfies Maryland licensure requirements.

Your coursework should prepare you for clinical work through areas such as counseling theories, counseling techniques, human development, assessment, diagnosis, ethics, and legal responsibilities.

2. Earn supervised clinical experience

After or during graduate preparation, you must complete supervised clinical work with clients under an approved supervisor. This is not simply a job requirement; it is the period when you develop professional judgment, documentation habits, risk assessment skills, and ethical decision-making under oversight.

Master's degree holders require a minimum of 3,000 hours, with at least 2,000 hours completed post-graduation. Doctoral degree holders need a minimum of 2,000 hours, with at least 1,000 hours post-graduation.

3. Pass the required exams

Maryland requires the Maryland Law Assessment exam, which evaluates your understanding of state laws, rules, and professional counseling regulations.

You must also pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE), which is required by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.

4. Submit your licensure application

Apply through the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists and submit the required documentation, fees, fingerprints, and supervised experience records. Expect a criminal background check as part of the process.

5. Keep your license active

Licensure is not the end of professional development. Once licensed, you must complete continuing education required by the board so your credential remains in good standing.

What are the educational requirements for Maryland counseling licensure?

In 2025, Maryland institutions conferred counseling masters to 198 counselors. Students who are still comparing related graduate options may also look at the most affordable online psychology degree programs, but psychology and counseling pathways should not be treated as interchangeable without checking licensure requirements.

Maryland’s education requirements depend on whether you pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate.

A master’s degree is the most common pathway. The degree must be in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution and must include at least 60 graduate semester credit hours.

A doctorate, such as a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in counseling, must include at least 90 graduate semester credit hours.

The required curriculum typically includes content also found in many cheapest CACREP accredited programs online, such as:

• Counseling theories and counseling techniques
• Human development across the lifespan
• Assessment, appraisal, and diagnosis methods
• Ethics, legal responsibilities, and professional standards
• Research methods and evidence-informed practice

What are the types of counselor licenses issued in Maryland?

Maryland’s independent professional counseling credential is the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). However, most candidates move through a supervised graduate-level stage before qualifying for independent practice.

1. Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC): This supervised credential allows you to provide counseling services while working under the required supervision of an approved professional. It is commonly the bridge between graduation and full independent licensure.
2. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC): This is Maryland’s independent clinical counseling license. Once approved, an LCPC can provide professional counseling services without being under the same supervised licensure stage.

In practical terms, the LGPC is the supervised phase and the LCPC is the independent practice credential. If you are comparing counseling and psychology programs, remember that a master's in psychology online cost may look appealing, but the degree must still align with Maryland counseling licensure rules if your goal is LCPC eligibility.

How much do licensed professional counselors in Maryland make?

Salary.com reports an average salary of $66,260 per year for licensed professional counselors in Maryland, with a range between $57,549 and $76,453.

That figure should be treated as a salary reference, not a guarantee. Compensation depends on experience, employment setting, geographic market, specialization, caseload, credentials, and whether the counselor works in private practice, a hospital, a government agency, or a community mental health organization.

Where can I work as a counselor in Maryland?

As of 2025, the counselor employment per 1,000 of the population in Maryland is 0.61, which points to continued need for qualified providers across different service environments. Your best work setting depends on the clients you want to serve, your tolerance for administrative demands, your preferred schedule, and whether you want employment stability or practice independence.

The Importance of Continuing Education for Counselors in Maryland

Continuing education is not just a renewal task. For counselors, it is a safeguard for ethical practice, clinical competence, and career mobility.

• License maintenance: Maryland counselors must satisfy continuing education requirements set by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. Missing renewal requirements can place a license at risk.
• Clinical relevance: Mental health treatment changes as new research, ethical guidance, technology, and client needs emerge. Ongoing education helps counselors avoid outdated methods.
• Specialization: Training in trauma, addiction, family counseling, telehealth, crisis work, or other focused areas can support stronger clinical services and broader job options.
• Professional connection: Workshops, conferences, and association events can lead to supervision relationships, referrals, mentoring, and continuing education opportunities.

If you are still exploring counseling roles and specialties, Research.com’s guide to careers in counseling explains common counseling career paths, education requirements, credentials, and ways to choose a direction.

Why lifelong learning matters in client care

Clients bring complicated concerns into counseling: trauma, grief, addiction, anxiety, depression, family conflict, identity-related stress, and co-occurring medical or social challenges. Counselors who keep learning are better positioned to select appropriate interventions, recognize risk, document properly, and refer when a client needs services outside their scope.

For Maryland counselors, continuing education also supports adaptability. Telehealth, integrated care, school-based mental health, addiction treatment, and workforce shortages all require clinicians who can adjust without losing sight of ethics and evidence-informed practice.

What is the state of the counseling industry in Maryland?

Maryland’s counseling field is shaped by rising attention to behavioral health access, substance use concerns, and the need for qualified providers in both urban and underserved communities. Reports have described a growing need for mental health services, especially among young people and workplaces seeking better support systems. Drug overdose death rates have increased in Maryland to 38.4 per 100,000 in 2025.

For counselors, this environment creates both opportunity and responsibility. Demand can make the profession attractive, but the work often involves high emotional intensity, complex documentation, crisis response, and coordination with other health and social service providers.

Maryland counselors may work in private practice, hospitals, community mental health centers, schools, government agencies, and addiction treatment settings. The right setting depends on the population you want to serve and the kind of pace, supervision, and administrative structure you can sustain.

What is the job outlook for counselors in Maryland?

The employment outlook for counselors in Maryland appears favorable, supported by national growth projections and ongoing demand for behavioral health services.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 18% growth for LPCs nationally by 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Maryland is likely to be influenced by the same broad drivers, including greater awareness of mental health needs, increased willingness to seek treatment, and ongoing shortages in the behavioral health workforce.

Still, job outlook is not the same as guaranteed employment. Candidates who complete licensure requirements efficiently, gain experience with high-need populations, build strong supervision relationships, and develop documentation and telehealth skills may be better positioned in the market.

Is a career in counseling in Maryland worth it?

A counseling career in Maryland can be worth it if you are prepared for graduate education, supervised clinical training, licensing exams, ongoing education, and emotionally demanding client work. The salary range for LPCs in Maryland is between $57,549 and $76,453, and the projected 18% growth rate for counselors suggests strong demand.

The decision should not be based on salary alone. Counseling can offer meaningful work, professional flexibility, and long-term specialization options, but it also requires resilience, boundaries, ethical discipline, and comfort with documentation and regulation.

How is telehealth transforming counseling services in Maryland?

Telehealth has become a major part of counseling access in Maryland, especially for clients who face transportation barriers, schedule constraints, rural access issues, or difficulty attending in-person appointments. For counselors, remote services require more than video-call familiarity. Clinicians must understand privacy, informed consent, emergency planning, documentation, boundaries, and platform security.

Graduate programs increasingly address technology-supported care because employers expect new clinicians to be comfortable with remote sessions and hybrid service models. A master's degree in counseling can help students build the clinical, ethical, and technical foundation needed to practice responsibly in a telehealth environment.

What is the difference between counseling and psychology licensure in Maryland?

Counseling and psychology are related, but they are not the same licensure path. Licensed counselors usually complete a master’s-level counseling program focused on therapy, client development, intervention skills, and supervised clinical practice. Psychologists often complete doctoral-level training with a stronger emphasis on assessment, diagnosis, research, and advanced psychological practice.

If you are deciding between these professions, compare scope of practice, program length, cost, supervised experience, and the type of work you want to do every day. Research.com’s guide on how to become a psychologist in Maryland can help you evaluate the psychology route separately from counseling licensure.

What networking opportunities and professional organizations are available for counselors in Maryland?

Professional relationships matter in counseling. Networking can help you find supervisors, continuing education, job leads, referral sources, advocacy updates, and mentoring. Maryland counselors can also use professional organizations to stay current on ethical standards, legislative changes, and specialty training.

• Maryland Counseling Association (MCA): As a state branch connected to the American Counseling Association, MCA offers conferences, workshops, professional development, and advocacy opportunities for counselors.
• Maryland Association for Counseling and Development (MACD): MACD supports counselor development through education, mentoring, networking, and professional resources.
• Maryland School Counselor Association (MSCA): MSCA focuses on school counseling practice, including professional learning, collaboration, and resources tailored to educational settings.
• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): NBCC provides certification-related resources and continuing education opportunities that Maryland counselors may use for professional development.
• American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA): AMHCA offers mental health counseling resources, training, advocacy tools, and professional networking opportunities at the national level.

What factors should you consider when choosing a counseling program in Maryland?

The best counseling program is not always the cheapest, fastest, or highest ranked. The strongest choice is the program that fits Maryland licensure requirements, your schedule, your budget, your clinical goals, and your preferred learning format.

Start by confirming accreditation, credit hours, required coursework, practicum and internship structure, faculty expertise, licensure exam preparation, student support, and graduate outcomes. You can also compare broader institutional options through Research.com’s overview of good colleges for psychology in Maryland, especially if you are still weighing counseling against related behavioral science fields.

What financial support options are available for prospective counselors in Maryland?

Graduate counseling education can be expensive, and licensure adds costs for exams, applications, background checks, supervision-related requirements, and continuing education. Prospective students should look beyond advertised tuition and calculate the full cost of becoming licensed.

Potential funding sources may include institutional scholarships, grants, assistantships, employer tuition support, work-study opportunities, professional association awards, and loan forgiveness programs tied to mental health or public service work. Students considering adjacent helping professions can also review pathways such as how to become a social worker in Maryland to compare education costs, roles, and credential requirements.

Common cost mistakes to avoid

How can specialized licensure benefit your counseling career in Maryland?

Specialization can help Maryland counselors serve specific populations more effectively and position themselves for focused roles. Common directions include trauma counseling, addiction treatment, rehabilitation counseling, family systems work, telehealth, crisis intervention, and school-based mental health.

One example is marriage and family therapy. Maryland offers a pathway to become a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT), which focuses on relational patterns, family conflict, parenting stress, separation, divorce, and intergenerational concerns. If that area fits your goals, Research.com’s guide on how to become a marriage and family therapist in Maryland_ explains that specialized route.

Specialization can improve professional versatility, but it should be chosen strategically. Before investing in extra credentials, ask whether the specialization is recognized by employers, fits your client population, supports ethical scope of practice, and justifies the time and cost required.

What are the next steps to become a licensed counselor in Maryland?

If you are ready to move forward, your next step is to map your current status against Maryland’s requirements. A prospective student should compare programs and verify licensure alignment. A current student should plan practicum, internship, exam preparation, and future supervision. A graduate should organize transcripts, supervision documentation, exam timelines, fingerprints, and application materials.

For a more focused step-by-step pathway, review Research.com’s guide on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Maryland. Use it alongside official board guidance so your plan reflects current application procedures.

What steps should you take to specialize in substance abuse counseling in Maryland?

Substance abuse counseling can be a meaningful specialization in Maryland, particularly given the state’s concerns related to overdose and addiction treatment access. Start by identifying accredited counseling programs or post-graduate training options that include addiction assessment, treatment planning, relapse prevention, co-occurring disorders, ethics, and supervised work with substance use populations.

Clinical experience matters in this specialty. Seek placements or jobs in addiction treatment programs, recovery centers, community behavioral health agencies, hospitals, or integrated care settings. For a detailed credential pathway, review how to become a substance abuse counselor in Maryland.

Are there any recent regulatory updates impacting Maryland LPC licensure?

Licensure rules can change through board policy, state regulation, exam updates, fee changes, or documentation requirements. Candidates should not rely only on older program handbooks, forum posts, or advice from graduates licensed under prior rules.

Before applying, confirm current requirements directly with the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists and compare them with Research.com’s overview of Maryland LPC license requirements.

How do LPC credentials compare with LMFTs and LCSWs in Maryland?

LPCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs all work in mental health and human services, but they are trained for somewhat different professional models. LPCs generally focus on counseling, psychotherapy, human development, and mental health treatment. LMFTs emphasize relationship systems, couples, and families. LCSWs combine clinical services with social systems, case coordination, advocacy, and resource connection.

The best credential depends on the work you want to do. If you are comparing family therapy and social work credentials, Research.com’s guide to the LMFT vs LCSW difference can help clarify those routes before you commit to a graduate program.

Can integrating behavior analysis enhance your counseling practice in Maryland?

Behavior analysis can complement counseling when used within appropriate scope, training, and ethical limits. Skills such as systematic observation, behavior tracking, reinforcement planning, and data-informed intervention can help counselors better understand patterns and measure change over time.

This approach may be especially useful for clinicians working with behavioral goals, developmental concerns, school-based supports, or structured treatment plans. Counselors interested in a separate behavior analysis credential can explore how to become a behavior analyst in Maryland.

What obstacles might delay your journey to licensure in Maryland?

Most licensure delays are preventable. They often happen when candidates choose a program without verifying Maryland requirements, lose track of supervised hours, misunderstand post-graduate supervision rules, wait too long to prepare for exams, or submit incomplete documentation.

If time is a major concern, Research.com’s guide to the fastest way to become a counselor in Maryland can help you identify where acceleration is realistic and where state requirements cannot be skipped.

Can school counseling be a strategic alternative for LPCs in Maryland?

School counseling may appeal to students who want to support children and adolescents in educational settings. The role can include academic planning, career guidance, social-emotional support, crisis response, family communication, and collaboration with teachers and administrators.

This path is not identical to clinical mental health counseling, so confirm credential and employment requirements before changing direction. Research.com’s guide on becoming a school counselor in Maryland explains this alternative route in more detail.

What are alternative career paths for LPCs in Maryland?

Not every licensed counselor stays in one-on-one therapy or private practice. Maryland LPCs and LCPCs may use their clinical training in several adjacent roles, depending on employer requirements, additional credentials, and experience.

• School Counseling: Supporting students’ mental health, academic planning, and development in public or private school settings.
• Corporate Wellness: Helping employers design or support workplace mental health, stress management, and employee well-being initiatives.
• Health and Wellness Coaching: Applying counseling-informed communication and behavior change skills in non-clinical or complementary wellness settings.
• Program leadership: Moving into supervision, quality improvement, compliance, or behavioral health administration.
• Training and consultation: Providing education to agencies, schools, community groups, or employers on mental health-related topics.

If you are still early in your planning and want to compare timelines, Research.com’s guide to the fastest way to become a counselor can help you understand which parts of the process can be streamlined and which requirements are fixed.

Key Insights

• Maryland’s independent counseling credential is the LCPC, while the LGPC is the supervised step many graduates complete before independent practice.
• A qualifying graduate degree must include at least 60 graduate semester credit hours at the master’s level or 90 graduate semester credit hours at the doctoral level.
• Master’s graduates need a minimum of 3,000 clinical experience hours, including at least 2,000 completed after graduation.
• Salary.com reports an average Maryland counselor salary of $66,260 per year, with a range between $57,549 and $76,453, but compensation depends heavily on setting, experience, location, and specialization.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% growth for counselors by 2032, but candidates still need strong clinical training, complete documentation, and exam readiness to compete effectively.
• Program choice is the most important early decision. Confirm accreditation, coursework, practicum, internship, online-state authorization, and Maryland licensure alignment before enrolling.
• Common delays include incomplete supervised-hour documentation, choosing a nonaligned program, underestimating exam preparation, and focusing only on tuition instead of total licensure cost.
• Telehealth, addiction treatment, school-based services, and integrated behavioral health are important practice areas for Maryland counselors to understand as the field continues to evolve.

References:

• American Counseling Association. (2025). Licensure requirements by state: Maine. https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements/maine
• American Mental Health Counselors Association. (2025). Becoming a clinical mental health counselor. https://www.amhca.org/careers/becoming-a-counselor
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. (2025). Find a Program. https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. (2026). CACREP accredited programs directory. https://www.cacrep.org/directory
• DataUSA. (2025). Educational Statistics for Counseling in Maryland. Retrieved from https://datausa.io/profile/geo/maryland
• Health Resources and Services Administration. (2026). Behavioral health workforce projections. https://bhw.hrsa.gov/data-research/projecting-health-workforce-supply-demand
• Maryland Department of Health. (2025). Maryland Overdose Data Dashboard: Annual Surveillance Report. https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/overdose.aspx
• National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2025). Mental health workforce demand in the U.S. https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Publications-Reports
• O*NET OnLine. (2025). Mental health counselors. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1014.00
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211012.htm
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211012.htm