Counseling Degrees & Licenses in New York
Counseling Schools Search
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“We’ve been around for a really long time, so we’ve had students who have different crises, personal or otherwise, and we support them. So if they need to take a leave of absence because they were just diagnosed with cancer or they lost their house in SuperStorm Sandy—these are all actual things that have happened to our students—we support them holistically.”
Jennie Park-Taylor, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology, Fordham University
Counseling is proven to be a viable long-term career choice. Not only do counselors and therapists enjoy the benefits of helping people work through emotional, family, school, or substance abuse issues, but they also enjoy a stable career.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides data for long-term career outlooks, and counseling careers are growing faster than most. The base employment for marriage and family therapists was 76,000 in May 2023. Those careers are expected to grow by 12,200 nationally between 2023 and 2033. The BLS (2024) also predicts that job openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors will grow 19 percent nationally from 2023 to 2033. This rate of growth is considered to be much faster than the average projected growth for all occupations during the same period (4 percent).
Other counseling careers are still expected to grow, though they are more in line with or potentially a bit slower than the national average for all careers. For example, the BLS (2024) career outlook for rehabilitation counselors, who help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities, will see a 2 percent rate of growth (2023-2033). School and career counselor jobs are expected to increase by 4 percent.
In New York State, in particular, mental issues are common and widespread. According to the New York State Department of Health, more than one in five New Yorkers have symptoms of a mental disorder each year. Furthermore, one in 10 adults and children experience mental health challenges serious enough to affect their ability to continue their daily work, family, and school life. They go on to say that half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, while three-quarters begin by age 24.
In New York and across the country, there are barriers to effective mental healthcare, not the least of which is the lack of access to quality, affordable mental health providers. According to the New York State Department of Labor, in 2022, there were 1,050 licenses issued for the occupation of licensed mental health counselors, and in 2023, there were 10,764 registered licenses for this occupation. The field is clearly growing—and there is clearly a need to support that growth.
In 2017, New York passed a law requiring each mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, creative arts therapist, and psychoanalyst (who are licensed by the New York State Education Department) to complete 36 hours of continuing education from a department-approved provider during each three-year registration period.
Other than those mental health counselors who were already practicing when the new law came into effect, each licensed mental health counselor in New York has a master’s degree (or higher) in counseling, has completed a supervised internship, has passed a state-approved exam, and has completed at least 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience.
Read on for schools in New York that offer counseling degrees, salaries, and a breakdown of various counseling licenses in the state.
Featured Counseling Programs | ||
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Methodist University | BS - Psychology: Counseling/Clinical Psychology | Program Website |
Methodist University | MS - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Program Website |
Arkansas State University | MSE in School Counseling - Crisis & Trauma | Program Website |
Arkansas State University | MSE in School Counseling - Special Populations | Program Website |
New York University | Online MA - Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness | Program Website |
Northwestern University | Online MA - Counseling | Program Website |
Northwestern University | Online MA - Counseling: Child and Adolescent Emphasis | Program Website |
Northwestern University | Online MS - Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) | Program Website |
Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Addictions | Program Website |
Southern New Hampshire University | Online BA in Psychology - Mental Health | Program Website |
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Ask an Expert: Jennie Park-Taylor, MSEd, PhD
Dr. Jennie Park-Taylor is an associate professor of counseling psychology in the Division of Psychological and Educational Services (PES) at Fordham University in New York City. She received her BA in psychology and Spanish from Wellesley College, her MSEd in counseling psychology from Teachers College Columbia University, and her PhD in counseling psychology from Boston College.
As the director of the PhD program in counseling psychology, Dr. Park-Taylor works closely with doctoral students in the Division of Psychological and Educational Services on their research apprenticeship projects and dissertations. She teaches in the master’s programs in school counseling and mental health counseling and the doctoral program in counseling psychology. Her research primarily focuses on the intersection of an individual’s social identities (e.g., career, ethnic, racial, gender, religious) and the influence of contextual factors (e.g., microaggressions, school and community) on identity development. She is also interested in various areas of health psychology.
CounselingSchools.com: How are students evaluated and guided throughout the school counseling program at Fordham University?
Dr. Park-Taylor: We have a pretty intimate program, and so we get to know the students really, really well. They’re immediately assigned an academic advisor when they enter the program, and that person is the faculty member responsible for supporting their development while they’re in the program, and that includes professional and academic development.
We’ve been around for a really long time, so we’ve had students who have different crises, personal or otherwise, and we support them. So if they need to take a leave of absence because they were just diagnosed with cancer or they lost their house in SuperStorm Sandy—these are all actual things that have happened to our students—we support them holistically. I think that the first step is they are immediately assigned to an academic advisor who helps them along the way.
Now, in terms of evaluation, we conduct monthly faculty meetings where we review any students of concern, whether that comes up through feedback or something that comes up in a class with us, and so we’re able to discuss and support students that may have anything concerning…That is one area where we consistently evaluate throughout their time in the program. We are monitoring their progress.
Once a year, we do an annual student review where we go through each and every student in the program; we collect information from adjuncts; and we collectively discuss each student to make sure they’re on track for their next big milestone in the program, which could be their first year. At the end of the first year, we make sure they are ready for their second year, which is the field experience year. As we get close to graduation, we make sure they are ready and able to graduate and they have what they need. That’s another area in which we are always evaluating and monitoring our students.
One place where we really assess their competencies in all of the standards that are required for our accreditation body, as well as from the state, is they have to pass a comprehensive exam in order to graduate. We offer that exam twice a year, and students prepare for that. We do have an orientation to comps, and we also have prior comps exams for them to review and study, and those exams are evaluated by faculty. Any student who does not meet the minimum requirement will be asked to either revise their comprehensive exam or if they don’t meet the level of revision that’s needed, they have to take the exam over again.
Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Casey, MSEd
Elizabeth Casey is the director of field-based experience and accountability at Fordham University in New York City.
Casey oversees operations and provides leadership and administrative support to all aspects of field-based/clinical experiences for the school counseling, mental health counseling, and counseling psychology programs.
CounselingSchools.com: How does the school counseling program at Fordham University support students’ professional development and career placement after graduation?
Casey: In addition to getting emails directly from graduates and people exiting and having our school counseling graduates work with them, I think our career services office is pretty robust in that they offer a lot of opportunities. There’s a platform that they use called Handshake. When I get postings for students or for graduates, I direct the employers to go there.
Also, our alumni know that they can go to the career center or Handshake and access any available opportunities there may be. I think that’s a big help. And we have a dedicated School of Education career services specialist; we direct graduates there too, and I think that’s a good resource.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in New York
New York University – Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Commonly referred to as Steinhardt, this school was founded in 1890 as the School of Pedagogy to focus on teaching and learning methods. It has both a traditional, in-person master of arts in counseling program as well as an online one. Additionally, Steinhardt offers a master of arts in counseling post-master’s certificate dual degree that provides a specialty in working with the LGBTQ+ population.
The online master’s degree in counseling for mental health and wellness can be completed in as few as 21 months and offers full- and part-time options. There is also an immersion experience at Steinhardt’s New York City campus. Online courses are live and interactive, and students can find an NYU-facilitated practicum and internship in their own community.
The 60-credit online program includes courses such as foundations of counseling for mental health and wellness, professional orientation and ethical issues in counseling for mental health and wellness, abnormal psychology, cross-cultural counseling, dynamics of vocational development, program development and evaluation, and interpretation and use of testing in counseling adults.
- Location: New York City, New York
- Accreditation: Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Master of arts dual degree in counseling for mental health and wellness and LGBT (66 credits); online and on-campus master of arts in counseling for mental health and wellness (60 credits each); full- and part-time options available for both
Fordham University, a private Jesuit university in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City, offers several degree programs related to counseling and mental health. They offer a master of arts in pastoral mental health counseling, which prepares people to work as a pastoral minister or chaplain, or in other faith-based situations. They also offer a master of science in education, with a specialty in mental health counseling. The master of science in education with the specialty of school counseling prepares graduates for work in K-12 school settings; that program meets at the Lincoln Center campus.
The 60-credit MSE program in mental health counseling includes a 600-hour, on-site, supervised internship. Courses include group counseling, counseling theory and practice, career counseling, ethics and professional issues in counseling, multicultural counseling, research methods in counseling, and counseling program development and evaluation.
Fordham University has a main campus and two other campuses: Lincoln Center and Westchester. Some classes are offered at different campuses.
- Location: Bronx, New York City, New York
- Accreditation: Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Pastoral mental health counseling, mental health counseling, and school counseling are all 60 credits
Manhattan College’s programs are set in the Bronx (near Manhattan) and not far from some of the top mental health hospitals, clinics, and agencies in the nation. The master of science in mental health counseling program provides an overview of a variety of counseling settings. In addition, students can add nine elective credits to the program for alcohol and substance abuse education and training to help clients recover from addiction. There is also a master of arts in school counseling as well as a master of science in marriage and family therapy programs.
Class sizes are no more than 20. The Counseling and Therapy Department offers degrees and certificates in marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and school counseling. They also offer an advanced certificate in either school counseling or mental health counseling.
The mental health certificate is ideal for students seeking counselor licensure in New York State who have already earned a master’s degree in a related field. The school counseling certificate is for students who have earned a master’s degree in counseling, making them eligible for provisional certification in New York State. Manhattan College is an independent Catholic institution.
- Location: Bronx, New York City, New York
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: School counseling, mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy programs (60 credits); advanced certificate in school counseling (21 credits); advanced certificate in mental health counseling (27 credits); alcohol and substance abuse counseling specialty (nine credits)
Mercy College – School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Online, On-campus)
Mercy College’s master of science in counseling is a versatile degree that prepares students to follow several career paths in the counseling field. Students can complete the 60-credit school counselor program. Graduate students who complete the 60-credit mental health counseling program are eligible to sit for the professional licensing examination. There is also a 60-credit marriage and family therapy program.
The counseling master of science is available at both the Dobbs Ferry (main campus) and Bronx campuses, as well as online. The school counseling program includes courses such as assessment in counseling; introduction to school counseling; and counseling and ethics. The mental health counseling program includes courses in trauma and crisis; diagnosis and treatment; psychopathology; and aspects of alcoholism & substance abuse. Courses in the marriage and family therapy program include couples therapy; domestic violence; sex therapy; family law; and contemporary family therapy.
Mercy is an accredited, private, nonsectarian, coeducational college with nearly 70,000 alumni.
- Location: Dobbs Ferry (main campus, 66 acres); Manhattan; Bronx; and online
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: School counseling, mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy programs are all 60 credits; three to four years (five years is the maximum allowed, except for time spent in the armed forces). All counseling programs have full- or part-time options
New York Institute of Technology – College of Arts and Sciences and School of Health Professions
NYIT’s degree programs include a master of science in school counseling, along with a bilingual advanced bilingual school counseling certification that students can add to a master’s degree. The bilingual certificate can be completed simultaneously with the school counseling degree.
The extension includes a minimum of six additional credits along with a bilingual practicum. NYSED certification will require documented proficiency in the target language by independently passing the New York State Bilingual Assessment. While there is no online option here, this program’s flexible class schedules are offered in a blended format on weeknights and weekends only, with no weekly face-to-face classes.
The program’s 60-credit curriculum includes courses such as introduction to school counseling, foundations of counseling, career counseling and lifestyle development, group counseling, leadership, and facilitation skills, school violence prevention and student behavior management, and multicultural issues in counseling.
The School of Health Professions offers a master of science in occupational therapy, which prepares students to work with people with physical limitations, mental health dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, and aging, among other situations. The curriculum for this 78- to 80-credit program explores topics such as childhood development, adult development and geriatrics, upper extremities and hand therapy, kinesiology, and physical conditions in adults.
- Location: School counseling (New York, NY; Long Island, NY); occupational therapy (Long Island, NY)
- Accreditation: Occupational therapy program (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association); school counseling program (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: The school counseling program is 60 credits, and the occupational therapy program is 78-80 credits; two years full-time or three years part-time
The City College of New York – Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership
The City College of New York’s master of arts program in mental health counseling admits only classes starting in the fall. Applicants must have either an undergraduate major in psychology or have completed five prerequisite courses, or their equivalents, in psychology. Applicants should also have had some type of hands-on experience, for instance, through volunteering. It’s also preferred that applicants enter the program at least two years after completing their bachelor’s degree.
Classes are exclusively scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday with three time slots: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2-4:30 p.m., and 5-7:30 p.m. The school is well-located for those who want city life, in the heart of New York City.
The 60-credit program includes courses in developmental psychology, psychopathology, theories and techniques of counseling, professional orientation and ethics, foundations on mental health counseling and consultation, trauma and resilience, multicultural issues in counseling, counseling adolescents, and lifestyle and career development.
- Location: New York City, New York
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 60 credits, two years
Hofstra University, located on Long Island, is a private university known for a series of prominent presidential conferences and for hosting several United States presidential debates.
The school offers a variety of master’s-level graduate counseling programs through the psychology department: master of arts in counseling and mental health counseling (60 credits), master of arts in creative arts therapy counseling (60 credits), master of arts in industrial/organizational psychology (44 credits), master of arts in marriage and family therapy (54 credits), master of science in education in rehabilitation counseling (60 credits), master of science in education in rehabilitation counseling in mental health (60 credits), and a doctorate of psychology in school and community psychology (96 credits).
To be considered for graduate programs in counseling or mental health counseling at Hofstra, applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Admitting faculty prefer majors in psychology, the behavioral sciences, and/or human services, with some personal experience in counseling as an additional prerequisite.
The professional diploma in counseling and the advanced certificate in mental health counseling are designed for professionals who are already practicing in the field of counseling and already have a master’s.
The advanced certificate in substance abuse counseling can be completed at the same time as the graduate program or as a standalone program, either as a post-baccalaureate or post-master’s.
- Location: Hempstead, New York
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); American Psychological Association (APA)
- Expected Time to Completion: Creative arts therapy counseling (60 credits, two to three years, full-time or part-time); organizational psychology (44 credits, two years); marriage and family therapy (54 credits, three years, full-time or part-time); rehabilitation counseling (60 credits, two to three years, full-time or part-time); doctorate in school psychology (96 credits, five years, full time)
At St. John Fisher University, candidates have two options: a 60-credit master of science program in mental health counseling and an 18-credit certificate of advanced study in the same discipline. The certificate is ideal for those who already have a master’s degree in counseling or a related discipline but wish to build upon their educational foundation in the field.
The mission of these programs is to deliver personalized instruction to students regarding essential counseling skills and knowledge while facilitating the enhancement and development of personal characteristics and qualities necessary for becoming outstanding professional mental health counselors.
The curriculum includes courses on mental health counseling as a profession, counseling theories and strategies, social and cultural diversity, assessment in counseling, psychopathology and differential diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention, group theory and process, and family and partner counseling.
Graduates will be prepared for work in a variety of settings, such as community agencies, hospitals, clinics, managed behavioral healthcare organizations, residential treatment and rehabilitation settings, outpatient mental health programs, substance abuse treatment programs, and more.
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Expected Time to Completion: MS (60 credits, two to 3.5 years); certificate (18 credits, within a year)
How Much Do Counselors Make in New York?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of November 2024.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
United States | New York | |
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Number employed | 63,340 | 1,070 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | $63,130 |
10th percentile | $39,090 | $30,510 |
25th percentile | $45,250 | $44,640 |
50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | $59,440 |
75th percentile | $78,440 | $67,000 |
90th percentile | $104,710 | $107,890 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
United States | New York | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 397,880 | 24,420 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $67,240 |
10th percentile | $36,700 | $39,810 |
25th percentile | $44,600 | $49,000 |
50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $59,740 |
75th percentile | $70,130 | $74,510 |
90th percentile | $89,920 | $99,700 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
United States | New York | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 327,660 | 22,700 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $72,930 |
10th percentile | $40,140 | $39,880 |
25th percentile | $48,760 | $50,150 |
50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $64,540 |
75th percentile | $78,780 | $85,180 |
90th percentile | $100,050 | $125,410 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
United States | New York | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 84,750 | 1,730 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $56,310 |
10th percentile | $31,390 | $35,640 |
25th percentile | $36,440 | $40,470 |
50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $50,820 |
75th percentile | $56,610 | $70,740 |
90th percentile | $73,710 | $80,000 |
All Other Counselors
United States | New York | |
---|---|---|
Number employed | 35,580 | 400 |
Average annual salary (mean) | $52,360 | $52,260 |
10th percentile | $33,300 | $33,290 |
25th percentile | $38,890 | $38,140 |
50th percentile (median) | $46,130 | $48,870 |
75th percentile | $59,340 | $60,160 |
90th percentile | $79,880 | $83,720 |
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in New York: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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State Board For Mental Health Practitioners Office of the Professions |
Mental health counselors in New York earn a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) license. Candidates who meet all the LMHC requirements (except the supervised work experience) may apply for a Limited Permit, which is valid for two years and allows the holder to work under supervision. Candidates for LMHC licensure must:
|
New York requires LMHCs to renew their licenses every three years. To renew, counselors are required to submit an application, a $241 fee, and 36 hours of continuing education units. |
School Counseling Licenses in New York
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
New York State Education Department Office of Teaching Initiatives | New York State Education Department Office of Teaching Initiatives issues both initial and professional school counselor licenses. Initial license applicants must meet one of the following pathways:
All applicants must also:
School counselors can apply for a professional license once they have completed a master’s degree, have three full years of paid work experience, and have completed a NYS registered school counselor program |
Initial school counselor licenses issued in New York are valid for five years. To renew, school counselors must complete workshops in child abuse identification, school violence intervention and prevention, and the Dignity for All Students Act. Counselors must also pass a new background check. Professional license holders are not required to renew their license or complete continuing education. However, they must register with the Education Department Office. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in New York
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) in New York certifies Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC). CASAC certification candidates must:
OASAS issues a CASAC Trainee certification to individuals who meet all of the CASAC requirements except the work experience or who have 4,000 hours of work experience and 85 hours of training and education. Applicants can be eligible for a CASAC 2 certification if they have an associate’s degree in an approved human services field. CASAC Advanced Counselor certification can be earned by meeting the CASAC requirements, having a bachelor’s degree, and completing the 30-hour Clinical Supervision Foundations I and II training. CASAC Master Level certification can be obtained by holding a CASAC credential for three years, having a master’s in an approved human services field, and completing the 30-hour Clinical Supervision Foundations I and II training |
OASAS requires CASACs to renew their credentials every three years. Counselors must submit a completed application along with the $150 renewal fee as well as submit proof of 60 hours of continuing education, of which 40 must be in substance abuse and six must be in ethics |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in New York
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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State Board For Mental Health Practitioners Office of the Professions | Rehabilitation counselors in New York must earn a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) license. Candidates who meet all the LMHC requirements (except the supervised work experience) may apply for a Limited Permit, which is valid for two years and allows the holder to work under supervision. Candidates for LMHC licensure must:
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New York requires LMHCs to renew their licenses every three years. To renew, counselors are required to submit an application, a $241 fee, and 36 hours of continuing education units. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in New York
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions | The New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions issues Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant (CBAA) credentials. Requirements to earn a CBAA credential are:
Requirements to earn an LBA license are:
| LBA licenses in New York are valid for life, although license holders are required to re-register every three years and update the state on any changes, such as address or name changes. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in New York
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
State Board For Mental Health Practitioners Office of the Professions |
The New York State Board For Mental Health Practitioners Office of the Professions issues Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licenses. Candidates who meet all the LMFT requirements except the supervised work experience may apply for a Limited Permit, which is valid for two years and allows the holder to work under supervision. LMFT candidates must:
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New York requires LMFTs to renew their licenses every three years. To renew, counselors are required to submit an application, a $241 fee, and 36 hours of continuing education units. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in New York
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
---|---|---|
State Board For Mental Health Practitioners Office of the Professions | Child therapists in New York must earn a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) license. Candidates who meet all the LMHC requirements (except the supervised work experience) may apply for a Limited Permit, which is valid for two years and allows the holder to work under supervision. Candidates for LMHC licensure must:
| New York requires LMHCs to renew their licenses every three years. To renew, counselors are required to submit an application, a $241 fee, and 36 hours of continuing education units. |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in New York
- American Counseling Association of New York (ACA of New York)
- New York State School Counselor Association (NYSSCA)
- New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA)
- High School Counselors’ Association of Western New York (HSCA-WNY)
- New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA)
- New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA)
- New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)
- Onondaga – Courtland – Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services School Counselor Resources (OCMBOCES)
- East End Counselors Association
- Association for Addiction Professionals of New York (AAPNY)
- New York Marriage and Family Therapy Network (NYMFTN)