Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Nevada

Natasha Mosby is the clinical program director of the Nevada Pediatric Mental Health Access Program at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine. With more than 20 years of experience in mental health, she specializes in children’s mental health, trauma, depression, and integrated healthcare models that connect physical and behavioral care.

Previously a lecturer and program coordinator at UNLV’s School of Social Work, Mosby has also led statewide initiatives, organized the first Men’s Mental Health and Wellness Conference in Las Vegas, and serves on multiple boards, including the Nevada Commission on Behavioral Health. She holds an MSW from Louisiana State University and is currently a PhD candidate in health psychology. In recognition of her significant contributions to the City of Las Vegas, Natasha received the Women of Impact Award in 2024.

CounselingSchools.com: What would you like the public to understand about mental health counselors in Nevada?

Mosby: The terms counselor and therapist are often used interchangeably, but there are distinctions. A counselor usually holds a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and may be licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Counselors often provide short-term, solution-focused therapy for specific issues such as relationship concerns, career guidance, or grief.

A therapist, on the other hand, can come from broader educational backgrounds such as social work, psychology, or marriage and family therapy, with licensure as an LCSW, LMFT, or psychologist (PhD/PsyD). Therapists typically provide more in-depth, long-term treatment for mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, or trauma.

While the roles overlap, the key difference lies in the scope of practice and disciplines. At the same time, both counselors and therapists share the common goal of supporting mental wellness and improving quality of life. We are not only trained to address mental health challenges, but also to work at the intersection of physical, behavioral, and social health. 

In Nevada, where access to care can often be limited due to geography or provider shortages, counselors and therapists are frequently the first point of contact for families and youth seeking support. Our work extends far beyond the counseling or therapy room; we help build healthier families, schools, and communities by addressing mental wellness as a critical part of overall health.

CounselingSchools.com: What does it mean to be an LCSW?

Mosby: As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I hold one of the highest levels of clinical licensure in the field. This means I am trained and licensed to provide psychotherapy, conduct comprehensive clinical assessments, and formulate clinical diagnoses. 

What sets LCSWs apart is our integrated perspective: I don’t just treat symptoms in isolation; I approach mental health within the context of relationships, families, and communities. I see each client as part of a larger system, where social, cultural, and systemic factors all affect their mental well-being.

My role is to help clients understand those connections, and together we develop a plan of care, often referred to as a treatment plan, that addresses those connections from a holistic perspective. This ensures that care not only treats immediate concerns but also supports long-term wellness by acknowledging the realities of their environment, lived experiences, and support systems.

Our scope of practice includes:

• Conducting assessments and clinical diagnoses
• Providing evidence-based psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups
• Coordinating care with healthcare providers, schools, and community agencies
• Advocating for clients by addressing social determinants of health
• Supervising and mentoring future clinicians

You may find LCSWs practicing in a wide range of settings, including private practices, hospitals, schools, integrated healthcare clinics, community mental health centers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. In Nevada, LCSWs often serve as a bridge between behavioral health and larger healthcare systems, ensuring clients receive comprehensive care that addresses both mental and social well-being.

CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring Nevada counseling and therapy students?

Mosby: Embrace integrated care. Collaboration with physicians, educators, and community partners is essential to meeting the diverse needs of clients.

Prioritize self-care and mentorship. The work is deeply rewarding but also demanding, so strong supervision, mentorship, and balance are key to longevity in the field.

Stay grounded in your “why.” Your passion and purpose will sustain you through the challenges of training and practice.

What our communities need most from providers are individuals who show up with compassion, openness, and a genuine respect for the diversity of the people they serve. Clients and families want to feel seen, heard, and valued; not just for their challenges, but for their strengths and cultural identities as well. 

To the students preparing to step into this field: be that provider. Practice with humanity, integrity, and curiosity, and approach every interaction with a willingness to listen, learn, and grow. When you do, you won’t just change individual lives; you’ll help nurture healthier, more inclusive, and more connected communities across Nevada.

Dawn Moore is the clinical director of the Center for Individual, Couple & Family Counseling and faculty instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is dually licensed as a marriage and family therapist and as a counselor for drug, alcohol, and gambling behaviors. A Las Vegas native and UNLV alum, she returned to her alma mater in April 2023 to lead the clinical counseling center and teach in the couple & family therapy program.

She has more than 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families across various settings—private practice, non-profits, juvenile justice, schools, and community agencies. She also serves as a supervisor for MFT professionals and counseling interns in Nevada.

CounselingSchools.com: What would you like the public to understand about mental health counselors in Nevada?

Moore: The topic we hear the most is that there are not enough of us; the public should understand that there is a huge workforce shortage when it comes to mental health professionals. Our CFT Program here at UNLV graduates 30 student therapists each year, and it is very hard to keep up with the demand and population growth. In the School of Medicine, we currently have a workforce development initiative called BE HERE NV whose sole focus is bringing people into the mental health professions here in Nevada. 

The second thing I think is important for the public to know is how challenging it can be for a mental health provider in Nevada…in Las Vegas, in particular.  We are dealing with a lot of really difficult problems, such as gambling and other addictions, sexual abuse, assault, and trafficking, suicide, homicide, and domestic violence…all in very large numbers, on top of all the other mental health concerns individuals, couples, and families typically have. It is even more important that students receive the best training possible and can be prepared upon graduation to “hit the ground running.”  

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

Moore: My advice would be to make sure you are prepared for the helping professions. They require individuals to explore and heal their own emotional challenges, establish healthy habits, and develop good coping strategies for stress. A mental health professional needs social and professional support. I would advise them that there are many jobs, doing all kinds of great work, so if they are prepared, they can make a world of difference for many people.