According to the United States Department of Labor, mental health counselors "work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote optimum mental health." They do so using a variety of modalities and techniques but are not authorized to dispense of any psychiatric medications. Rather, counselors "collect information through interviews, observations and tests, and decide how best to help clients," ("Mental Health Counselor"). Substance abuse, depression, relationship and career issues are some of the areas that mental health counselors may address with their clients. Mental health counselors generally possess a Master's degree and work in a range of setting such as private practices or hospitals and also often work in tandem with other health care professionals depending on the needs of their clients. Job outlook for mental health counselors is very good and as of May of 2004, the median salary for mental health counselors in the United States was $45,570 ("Counselors").

             Considered "one of the most challenging areas of human/social services," substance abuse counselors work specifically with clients to address addiction issues including eating disorders and gambling as well as drug and alcohol abuse ("Substance Abuse Counselor"). Like mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors usually work in tandem with other mental health professionals to best address the needs of individual clients. Substance abuse counselors may also work in a range of professional settings including inpatient mental health facilities and treatment centers. One of the reasons why the job outlook for substance abuse counselors is positive is because of public policy shifts toward rehabilitation and treatment for drug offenders, because of the prevalence of addiction and comorbidity problems, and because of increasing education and awareness regarding substance abuse.