Become a Crisis Counselor – Education & Licensure Guide

HomeCareersCrisis Counselor

“It is sometimes assumed that a brief period of crisis care is sufficient to address an individual’s mental health needs long-term. However, crisis counseling, which focuses on immediate safety and addressing pressing needs, serves as a foundational step.”

Karena J. Heyward, PhD, Core Faculty Member at Walden University

Unlike mental health counseling or substance abuse counseling, which can mean frequent or ongoing meetings with a counselor to work on continuing issues, seeing a crisis counselor generally means developing a short-term relationship with a provider. The American Counseling Association says that the primary purpose of an individual meeting one-on-one with a crisis counselor is to help “restore some sense of control and mastery after a crisis event or disaster.”

When a crisis occurs, it is often unexpected and short in duration, such as a natural disaster or a loved one losing their life in an accident or by suicide, and it is not unusual for those affected to have difficulty coping or regaining a sense of normalcy. Meeting with a crisis counselor after a traumatic event can be a one-time meeting that can range anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, or be a few meetings on a short-term basis. The American Counseling Association suggests that meeting one to three times with the same crisis counselor is common.

The goals of crisis counseling are more immediate than ongoing mental health counseling. The first goal is to ensure that the immediate threat has passed. Second, the crisis counselor should ensure that the affected individual is stable and has a short-term plan. Third, they should provide or recommend resources, if any are available.

Becoming a crisis counselor is a little different than the steps to take to become a clinical mental health counselor, substance abuse counselor, or school counselor. Read on to learn more about how to become a crisis counselor.

Ask the Expert: Elizabeth Ventura, PhD

Dr. Elizabeth Ventura is a qualitative researcher, trauma specialist, and senior core faculty member at Walden University. She also runs a private practice in Pittsburgh, consulting with school districts on care for traumatized children and adolescents.

As a faculty member in Walden’s clinical mental health counseling department, Dr. Ventura specializes in counseling techniques and has trained future counselors for over a decade. Her research focuses on trauma and crisis preparedness, and she has co-authored trauma textbooks and professional case studies.

With over 18 years of clinical experience, including training at the Cleveland Clinic and Western Psychiatric Institute, Dr. Ventura is a recognized expert in child trauma. She has testified as an expert witness in numerous cases and advises on school-based crisis protocols. She actively mentors students, encouraging professional development through conference participation.

CounselingSchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about crisis counseling?

Dr. Ventura: One thing that is often misunderstood about crisis counseling is the scope and nature of its role. Many people might think that crisis counselors are there to provide long-term therapy or solve all the problems a person is facing, but the primary aim of a crisis counselor is to stabilize the immediate situation, provide support, and ensure the individual is safe in the short term.

CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring students in crisis counseling?

Dr. Ventura: Aspiring students in crisis counseling are entering a field that requires strong emotional resilience, empathy, and dedication. Students need to develop strong communication skills, focusing on active listening and empathy. Additionally, students interested in this area of counseling also need to engage in continuing education in crisis intervention and psychological first aid to help them build their toolbox of skills.

Ask the Expert: Karena Heyward, PhD

Dr. Karena J. Heyward is a core faculty member at Walden University and a counselor educator, dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of mental health counselors. She holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision, a master’s degree in marriage, couples, and family counseling, and a bachelor’s in psychology, providing her with a deep understanding of mental health’s complexities.

Dr. Heyward integrates anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and liberation psychology perspectives into her work, striving to create systemic change in both education and counseling. In addition to her academic role, she supervises future counselors towards licensure through the Virginia Telemental Health Institute. She encourages others to celebrate the magic of being alive as much as possible.

CounselingSchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about crisis counseling?

Dr. Heyward: It is sometimes assumed that a brief period of crisis care is sufficient to address an individual’s mental health needs long-term. However, crisis counseling, which focuses on immediate safety and addressing pressing needs, serves as a foundational step. It is crucial to recognize that the services and aftercare provided beyond crisis counseling are equally, if not more, important in fostering long-term mental well-being.

CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring students in crisis counseling?

Dr. Heyward: The work is demanding and fast-paced. Counseling skills are frequently adapted to manage crisis situations. Traditional 50-minute sessions are not the norm in hospital crisis units. I often advise my students to envision themselves as gardeners. In crisis work, they are planting seeds that will bear fruit in aftercare services.

How to Become a Crisis Counselor

Step One: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree

After graduating from high school, aspiring crisis counselors should complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related human services field.

Step Two: Gain Volunteer Experience

Organizations like the Crisis Text Line offer opportunities for individuals to gain hands-on experience in crisis intervention. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, have a U.S. Social Security Number, and access to a reliable computer with internet. The training program spans approximately 15 hours, covering reflective listening, collaborative problem-solving, and crisis management. Volunteers are expected to commit to 4 hours per week until they reach 200 hours, ideally within a year.

Step Three: Complete a Master’s Degree

A master’s program in counseling or clinical mental health counseling will dive deeper into counseling theories, crisis intervention techniques, and therapeutic practices. A select few online programs (see below) focus on trauma and crisis counseling specifically.

Step Four: Acquire Professional Licensure

After completing a master’s degree, aspiring crisis counselors must obtain licensure to practice professionally. Each state has its own requirements for what is approved for licensing as a counselor. Most states consider a job as a crisis counselor to fall under the broader career category of clinical mental health counselors, domestic violence counselors, or substance abuse counselors.

In order to be licensed as a clinical mental health counselor, states require the licensure of a student who has completed a program at an accredited school. The accrediting body of counseling education in the United States is the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

In most cases, a state’s licensing body expects a student to complete a minimum of 600 hours of internships and practicum. Walden’s program, for instance, requires 80 credits of core courses, 10 credits of specialization courses, 100 hours of a practicum, and 600 hours of internship.

Step Five: Pursue Additional Certification (optional)

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc. (AIHCP) offers a Crisis Intervention Certification program for qualified professionals. Attaining this certification requires completion of an official, established education program, which must have a minimum of 275 hours of lecture/study in crisis intervention courses. Candidates who successfully complete a program within a two-year period are eligible to apply for certification as a Crisis Intervention Counselor.

The AIHCP also offers continuing education courses in Crisis Intervention Counseling and Consulting. Applicants to their program must be working in a healthcare or mental healthcare field already, or hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in psychology, human services, or another health-related field.

Other requirements to be considered for this Crisis Intervention Counseling Certification are to be either a licensed registered nurse, social worker, healthcare professional, counselor or psychologist, or an ordained minister/clergy. Currently practicing crisis counselors, those employed in criminal justice or fire sciences, certified or licensed emergency medical technicians (EMT), or those employed in disaster response or disaster relief may also qualify.

Online Crisis Counseling Master’s Programs

Walden University

Walden University offers a master of science in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma and crisis counseling. Students through this specialization will be able to master the intervention strategies, treatment models, and theories needed for counseling and supporting families and individuals in crisis.

The program is made up of 100 to 106 quarter credits, including nine to 15 credits of field experience via practicum/internship, along with professional development and licensure plans. This online program includes coursework in theories of counseling; techniques in counseling; multicultural counseling; diagnosis and assessment; group process and dynamics; psychopharmacology; vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue; and crisis management.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree or higher along with a completed online application and official transcripts.

Location: Minneapolis, MN
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Liberty University

For instance, Liberty University offers a 100 percent online bachelor of science in psychology with a focus on crisis counseling. Liberty’s program is 120 credits and takes 3.5 years to complete. Liberty offers education from a Christian perspective, but there are other secular programs with similar focuses, for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Liberty’s crisis counseling degree is meant to help graduates support those facing acute stress, grief, and trauma.

The curriculum of this bachelor’s degree will include courses such as general psychology; social psychology; behavioral modification; psychology of personality; statistics in psychology; physiological psychology; psychology & Christianity; abnormal psychology; and acute stress, grief & trauma. Notably, students in this program will be able to gain real-world experience by completing a 125-hour internship.

Graduates will be ready for a variety of careers such as community relations managers, crisis hotline operators, psychiatric technicians, rehabilitation specialists, and victim advocates.

Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 3.5 years

What Do Crisis Counselors Do?

Crisis counseling is a specialized field within mental health services, focusing on providing immediate support to individuals experiencing traumatic events. Unlike long-term therapy, crisis counseling aims to stabilize clients, address their immediate needs, and develop coping strategies to prevent lasting psychological effects.

The practice of crisis counseling gained prominence during World War I when mental health professionals observed that soldiers receiving prompt psychological support after traumatic experiences had better reintegration outcomes than those who did not. This early intervention approach laid the foundation for modern crisis counseling techniques.

Crisis counselors engage in short-term interventions, typically lasting from a single session to several weeks, focusing on immediate stressors rather than deep-seated psychological issues. Their primary objectives include ensuring client safety, providing emotional support, and connecting individuals with appropriate resources for ongoing assistance.

Professionals in this field operate across various settings, such as hotlines and helplines, shelters and support centers, hospitals and emergency rooms, and community mental health centers (CMHCs). In these settings, crisis counselors assess clients’ situations, develop safety plans, facilitate support groups, and collaborate with other service providers to ensure comprehensive care.

How Much Do Crisis Counselors Make?

These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2024—the latest data available as of April 2025.

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

	United States
Number employed	440,380
Average annual salary (mean)	$65,100
10th percentile	$39,090
25th percentile	$47,170
50th percentile (median)	$59,190
75th percentile	$76,230
90th percentile	$98,210

Other Types of Counselors

	United States
Number employed	33,340
Average annual salary (mean)	$58,070
10th percentile	$36,160
25th percentile	$42,760
50th percentile (median)	$49,830
75th percentile	$66,510
90th percentile	$91,420

Crisis Counselor Professional Associations & Resources

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC)
The American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence
Asian-Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV)
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK)
Center for Survivor Agency & Justice (CSAJ)
Community United Against Violence (CUAV)
Jewish Women International – Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community
The National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCDSV)
The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL)
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
The National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence (NCCAFV)
National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence (ALIANZA)
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)
The Northwest Network of Bi, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Hotline
Mental Health America (MHA)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Child Care Aware of America
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Crisis Text Line
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
End Rape on Campus

Matt Zbrog

Writer

Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2020, he’s written extensively about how counselors and other behavioral health professionals are working to address the nation’s mental health and substance use crises, with a particular focus on community-driven and interdisciplinary approaches. His articles have included detailed interviews with leaders and subject matter experts from the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Mental Health Counselor Association (AMHCA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Vanessa Salvia