Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Wyoming
Counseling Schools Search
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“We believe in a person-centered approach to counseling and helping students learn more about their clients, themselves, and all the opportunities for their post-master’s growth.”
Lindsey Nichols, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling and Master’s Program Coordinator, University of Wyoming (Laramie)
Pursuing a counseling career in the state of Wyoming can be an excellent investment. Only one accredited counseling degree program currently operates in the state. The small number of professionals able to train in Wyoming each year compared with the scale of local demand suggests newly trained professionals will find significant local opportunities for years to come.
In the years before the Covid-19 pandemic, Wyoming had higher suicide and alcohol use disorder rates than the national average. In the late 2010s, the percentage of Wyoming residents with mild or moderate mental illness who did not receive mental health treatment in the most recent year was also higher than the national average. In the 2023 Mental Health America report, Wyoming consistently scores poorly for both adult and youth populations across several rankings. Such metrics, as well as the geography and infrastructure of the state, indicate Wyoming has a pressing need for additional counseling professionals.
Read on to discover how to join various counseling careers in Wyoming, including detailed information about the academic program offered by the University of Wyoming.
Ask an Expert: Lindsey M. Nichols, PhD, LPC (WY), LCPC (MT), NCC
Dr. Lindsey Nichols is an associate professor of counseling and the master’s program coordinator for the University of Wyoming’s Laramie campus.
Dr. Nichols received her PhD in counselor education and supervision from the Pennsylvania State University, her MEd in school counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MA in secondary education from the University of Connecticut, and a BS in history from the University of Connecticut. She researches various topics related to cultural approaches to wellness, primarily focused on rural school mental health, including school counseling and educator engagement. She is committed to community-based participatory research, particularly in collaborating with American Indian nations and reservation communities.
CounselingSchools.com: What drew you to a career in counseling and this program specifically?
Dr. Nichols: I knew about counseling because my dad was a school counselor. This used to be referred to as a guidance counselor—we do way more than guidance these days!
I explored education first [because] my Mom taught special education, then fourth grade, and eventually came back to counseling. I started as a middle school counselor because I was familiar with schools, loved the energy in MS, and then realized I enjoyed that work. I wanted to do more, and even in my first year, leadership asked me to do more!
I went back to school at Penn State, got my PhD and eventually landed here at UW. We’re the only in-person and hybrid (HyFlex) focused cohorts offering an MS in counseling combined program in the state, which initially terrified me. I believe it is an incredible environment with so many opportunities. The students I have met overall have been so innovative and diverse (not what people think of Wyoming), and I’m so excited to be a part of their journey to becoming a counselor.
CounselingSchools.com: What are some of the core values or philosophies that guide the curriculum?
Dr. Nichols: We identify as a humanistic program, of course. That is not the only approach we use, but it is a core value that we rely on as we provide the foundation for counselors-in-training. Briefly and very generally, we believe in a person-centered approach to counseling and helping students learn more about their clients, themselves, and all the opportunities for their post-master’s growth.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Wyoming
The one available Wyoming program only trains offers students two concentrations, in mental health counseling and school counseling. Students seeking education to become marriage and family therapists, rehabilitation counselors, substance abuse counselors, and genetic counselors currently must pursue their training in other states before seeking employment in Wyoming.
The University of Wyoming offers a 61-credit master of science degree in counseling. Students may choose to concentrate their studies in mental health counseling or school counseling. Both concentrations feature pre-practicum, practicum, and internship requirements which account for a collective 12 academic credits needed to obtain the degree.
Students may work at the WellSpring Counseling Clinic, an on-campus training clinic, to fulfill their practicum requirement. This clinic offers individual, group, and couples counseling and play therapy. Program graduates seeking to further specialize in play therapy may complete a certificate in play therapy at the Rocky Mountain Center of Play Therapy Studies. This center is one of only a few Association for Play Therapy-approved U.S. centers for play therapy education.
Mental health counseling concentration students develop the skills to serve in various settings, including community agencies, managed behavioral healthcare settings, hospitals, employee assistance programs, substance abuse treatment programs, and private practice. These students are trained to provide a full range of services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, addictions-related assessments and interventions, prevention programs, and crisis and disaster related management and interventions.
School counseling students may enroll with no prior teaching or P-12 experience. Graduates of this concentration support the development of students in KP-12 environments and will customarily collaborate with teachers, parents, administrators, and partner organizations to provide effective support for students’ academic, career, personal, and social development.
Working professionals seeking to maintain their employment while completing this program may also choose the intensive weekend program option offered by UW Casper. This program follows a cohort model and can be completed in a three-year period.
- Location: Laramie, WY (main campus)
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
How Much Do Counselors Earn in Wyoming?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023 —the latest figures available as of June 2024.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salaries
| United States | Wyoming | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 71,730 | 60 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $106,600 | $72,860 |
| 10th percentile | $48,820 | $38,160 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,100 | $65,810 |
| 90th percentile | $168,870 | $125,500 |
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Wyoming | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | Data unavailable |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | Data unavailable |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | Data unavailable |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | Data unavailable |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | Data unavailable |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Wyoming | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 90 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $53,260 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $30,740 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $56,850 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $70,500 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Wyoming | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | 730 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $65,160 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $42,920 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $63,490 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $83,350 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | Wyoming | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 397,880 | 820 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $66,430 |
| 10th percentile | $36,700 | $36,840 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $62,990 |
| 90th percentile | $89,920 | $104,000 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Wyoming
- Wyoming Counseling Association
- Wyoming School Counselor Association
- Wyoming Psychological Association
- Wyoming Association of Addiction Professionals
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Wyoming: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Professions Licensing Board | Wyoming issues both Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Provisional Professional Counselor (PPC) licenses. To earn a PPC license, candidates must:
| In Wyoming, LPC licenses are valid for two years and expire on the holder’s birth date. PPC licenses are valid for 36 months and may not be renewed. LPCs must submit 45 continuing education hours every renewal cycle. Three of the 45 hours must be in ethics. The fee to renew an LPC license is $125 every two years. |
School Counseling Licenses in Wyoming
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board | The Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board issues Educator Licenses with a Professional Services Endorsement for School Counselors. The requirements for this license and endorsement are:
|
Educator licenses issued in Wyoming are valid for five years and cost $200 to renew. School counselors are required to complete five renewal credits per cycle. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Wyoming
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Substance abuse counselors can apply to the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board to earn Certified Addictions Practitioner Assistant (CAPA), Certified Addictions Practitioner (CAP), Provisional Addictions Therapist (PAT), or Licensed Addictions Therapist (LAT) credentials. CAPA credential candidates must:
CAP credential candidates must:
PAT licenses may be issued to applicants who need to complete any of the requirements for LAC licensure. This license is only valid for 36 months. The fee for this application is $150 and must be accompanied by a Provisional License Supervision Agreement signed by an approved supervisor. LAT license candidates must:
| Licenses and certificates for substance abuse counselors in Wyoming expire every two years on the holder’s date of birth. Renewal fees are $143 for certifications and $168 for licenses. Counselors are required to complete 45 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. Three of those hours must be in ethics, and 15 must be in addiction-specific topics. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Wyoming
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Rehabilitation counselors in Wyoming can become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Provisional Professional Counselors (PPC). To earn a PPC license, candidates must:
The PPC license is only valid for 36 months. Before it expires, candidates must apply for a, LPC license. They must meet the same requirements as a PPC license, as well as:
|
In Wyoming, LPC licenses are valid for two years and expire on the holder’s birth date. PPC licenses are valid for 36 months and may not be renewed. LPCs must submit 45 continuing education hours every renewal cycle. Three of the 45 hours must be in ethics. There is a fee to renew an LPC license. Every four years counselors must complete a new National People Data Bank background check |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Wyoming
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Board of Psychology | The Wyoming Board of Psychology licenses Behavior Analysts in the state. The requirements for licensing include:
| Licenses for behavior analysts in Wyoming expire on June 30th every year. To renew, candidates must submit a completed renewal application as well as provide proof of current BACB certification. Renewals cost $200. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Wyoming
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Professions Licensing Board |
The Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board issues Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Provisional Marriage and Family Therapist (PMFT) licenses. To earn a PMFT license, candidates must: To earn a PMFT license, candidates must:
The PMFT license is only valid for 36 months. Before it expires, candidates must apply for an LMFT license. They must meet the same requirements as a PMFT license, as well as:
|
|
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Wyoming
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Child therapists in Wyoming can become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Provisional Professional Counselors (PPC). To earn a PPC license, candidates must:
The PPC license is only valid for 36 months. Before it expires, candidates must apply for an LPC license. They must meet the same requirements as a PPC license, as well as:
|
In Wyoming, LPC licenses are valid for two years and expire on the holder’s birth date. PPC licenses are valid for 36 months and may not be renewed. LPCs must submit 45 continuing education hours every renewal cycle. Three of the 45 hours must be in ethics. The fee to renew an LPC license is $125. |
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