Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Rhode Island
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“Just because you don’t have a background in psychology does not mean that you can’t get into a counseling program. We welcome students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.”
Kalina Brabeck, PhD, Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, and School Psychology, Rhode Island College
Pursuing a counseling career in Rhode Island can prove to be a rewarding choice. Due to many factors currently straining Rhode Island’s mental healthcare system, newly trained professionals seeking to work within the state can expect to find ample opportunities to apply their skills.
Rhode Island is small in terms of both geography and population. With a population of slightly over 1 million people, the state is one of the most densely populated in the nation due to its small size. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one in 20 Rhode Island adults had a serious mental health illness in 2023, and 27.2 percent of adults in the state who reported symptoms of anxiety or depression were unable to get needed counseling or therapy. Also concerning are rates of opioid and drug overdose deaths that persist above the national average.
Rhode Island faces some of the same systemic issues afflicting many states. These challenges include limited provider networks, insurance coverage insufficient to meet patient needs, high costs, a workforce that needs to adequately represent the diversity of backgrounds and needs of the general population, and a workforce burdened by both high demand and COVID-19 pandemic fatigue. The need for system bandwidth is underscored by a recent study by the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island that indicated that two of every three mental healthcare providers who cannot accept new patients cannot do because they already have a full caseload.
Another significant issue is the child and adolescent mental healthcare system. An April 2022 declaration asserted that the system is currently in a state of emergency.
Rhode Island Kids Count, a policy and advocacy non-profit organization, recommends the creation and funding of a comprehensive mental healthcare system dedicated to supporting of children, youth, and their families to address this crisis.
Read on to discover how to pursue various counseling careers in Rhode Island, including detailed information about academic programs and licensing.
Meet the Expert: Tiffani Kisler, PhD
Dr. Tiffani Kisler is the graduate program and clinical director for the couple and family therapy program at the University of Rhode Island. She teaches courses on couple and family therapy theory, human sexuality, sex therapy, and clinical supervision, combining academic expertise with real-world applications. An AAMFT approved supervisor, she actively supports the training and development of future therapists.
Dr. Kisler’s research focuses on relational and sexual satisfaction, sexual aggression, and the impact of technology, such as sexting and social media, on psychological and relational health. She earned her PhD in family and human development from Arizona State University and has published widely in her field, contributing valuable insights on therapy training, digital interactions, and mental health.
CounselingSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about mental health counselors in Rhode Island?
Dr. Kisler: In the state of Rhode Island, there are several types of licensed mental health professionals, including mental health counselors (MHCs), marriage and family therapists (MFTs), licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). It is important to consider the specific type of support or issues you are seeking assistance with when choosing a provider. For example, MFTs receive specialized training in working with individuals, couples, and families, often addressing concerns through a relational or systems-based approach. If you are seeking couples therapy, family therapy, or child-focused therapy, an MFT may be an excellent choice.
On the other hand, MHCs typically work with individuals on a broad range of psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and life transitions. An MHC might be a good fit if your primary focus is on individual therapy for personal emotional or behavioral challenges.
Above all, decades of research consistently demonstrate that one of the most crucial factors in successful therapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Working with a therapist who feels like the right fit for you is essential. If you feel that your progress is stagnating or that the therapist is not a good match, it is important to communicate openly. Don’t hesitate to express your concerns or seek a different provider if necessary. This can dramatically change the amount of progress you experience in therapy.
CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring mental health counseling students in Rhode Island?
Dr. Kisler: There are a variety of counseling disciplines, each with its own focus and approach. It is important to have a clear understanding of the type of work you wish to pursue—whether that be individual counseling, couples therapy, family therapy, or another specialty. Clarifying your areas of interest will help you identify the most appropriate training program and counseling discipline to align with your professional goals.
As you prepare for graduate school, gaining relevant volunteer experience can be highly beneficial. Volunteering allows you to gain hands-on exposure to the field and better understand the challenges and rewards of different counseling roles.
Additionally, an introductory counseling course can be a valuable step in exploring the profession. The University of Rhode Island offers several excellent courses through its Department of Human Development and Family Science, such as “HDF 450: Introduction to Counseling” and “HDF 460: Therapeutic Play for Children and Youth.” These courses not only provide foundational knowledge but also serve as great preparation for graduate school applications, helping to confirm your career path and strengthen your application.
Meet the Expert: Kalina Brabeck, PhD
Dr. Kalina Brabeck is a professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, and School Psychology at Rhode Island College. Her research examines the intersections of socio-structural challenges, family processes, and mental health, focusing on immigrant communities. Her extensive experience in participatory action research in the U.S. and Guatemala has contributed to over 25 peer-reviewed publications and been recognized at national levels, including citations in the Supreme Court.
Clinically, Dr. Brabeck specializes in supporting trauma survivors, immigrants, and refugees informed by social justice, feminist, and trauma-informed approaches. She teaches courses on counseling theories, trauma, and evidence-based methods such as CBT and DBT while mentoring future mental health professionals. Passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration, she also trains lawyers and mental health practitioners on trauma-informed practices and immigration-related evaluations.
CounselingSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about mental health counselors in Rhode Island?
Dr. Brabeck: Mental health counselors are a rapidly growing profession in the State of Rhode Island. Our graduates are in high demand in many settings, including community mental health, private practice, hospitals, and correctional facilities. At Rhode Island College, we have a 100 percent success rate in employment post-graduation.
In RI, mental health counselors can also work in schools through student adjustment counselor positions and organizations like RI Student Assistance Services (RISAS). One unique thing about RI is that if you don’t attend a CACREP-accredited program, you must complete 12 credits of practicum and six credits of internship. In addition to the 60-credit master’s, mental health counselors in RI are required to complete 2,000 supervised hours and pass the NCMHCE.
CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring mental health counseling students in Rhode Island?
Dr. Brabeck: If possible, attend a CACREP-accredited program. Our program at Rhode Island College is currently the only CACREP-accredited program. Look for a program with faculty who are clinically active and contributing to local professional advocacy and policy.
Consider obtaining a wide range of clinical experiences during your program. You never know if you’ll enjoy a particular setting or population unless you try! Look for a program that clearly commits to inclusivity and prepares counselors to work with diverse identities.
Just because you don’t have a background in psychology does not mean that you can’t get into a counseling program. We welcome students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
Being academically strong is essential, but it’s not enough to be successful in a mental health counseling program. Students must also have strong emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, willingness to receive feedback, flexibility, and emotional maturity. Lastly, this field is very fulfilling and rewarding, where you will find meaning and purpose!
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Rhode Island
Providence College’s 42-credit master of education degree in school counseling is held on campus and features a CACREP-aligned curriculum that explores the counseling field through theory, analysis, and application. Graduates hold the skills necessary to become effective members of school guidance departments.
Graduates who complete an exit portfolio and successfully pass the Praxis Professional School Counselor assessment become eligible for Rhode Island certification as a Rhode Island PK-12 school counselor.
- Location: Providence, RI
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Rhode Island College (RIC) offers a 60-credit master of science degree in clinical mental health counseling. Full-time students typically complete their academic requirements in three years but may take longer if needed due to concurrent commitments. Students seeking to become licensed practitioners in Rhode Island must complete post-master’s supervised clinical practice.
RIC has an excellent reputation due to its substantial practicum and field-related experience options. The program is nationally recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists and is approved “with distinction” by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Graduates have a completion rate and placement rate of 100 percent. They go on to work in various social services and counseling settings, including community mental health centers, adoption agencies, alternative education programs, and residential programs.
- Location: Providence, RI
- Duration: Three years; students seeking licensure must complete additional post-graduate supervised clinical practice
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Salve Regina University offers two online graduate counseling degree programs. Students may pursue a specializations including clinical rehabilitation counseling or holistic clinical mental health counseling, 60 credits each.
Both of these online graduate programs provide a path to certification and licensure, allowing graduates to practice in New England and most states nationwide. Clinical program graduates can sit for the national certified counselor (NCC) exam and the certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) exam.
Graduates offer their skills in various settings to diverse populations across the human lifespan. In alignment with the university’s mission, the rehabilitation counseling specialization trains graduates to advocate for social justice and equitable treatment of frequently marginalized populations. The holistic counseling specialization similarly looks at self-awareness around issues of intersectionality, privilege, and oppression to help students understand their impact on clients and the larger system.
Salve Regina also offers a graduate certificate in rehabilitation counseling with a mental health concentration for practitioners who return to school to complete the clinical training required for licensure. Students may also pursue an accelerated program whereby they complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in six years or even less time.
- Location: Newport, RI
- Duration: Two to 2.5 years
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
The University of Rhode Island College of Health Sciences offers a 60-credit master of science degree in human development and family science, specializing in couple and family therapy. This is the only couple and family training program operating in RI that is COAMFTE accredited. Upon graduation, many individuals complete post-graduate requirements to become eligible to seek licensure.
The curriculum uses a training model based on an outcome management protocol. This model trains professionals to collect client feedback and, with the help of a computer application that generates predictive content using this feedback, adjust their therapeutic approach to improve client progress and ultimate outcomes.
- Location: Kingston, RI
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
How Much Do Counselors Earn in Rhode Island?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of January 2025.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 71,730 | 400 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $106,600 | $120,720 |
| 10th percentile | $48,820 | $56,150 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,100 | $110,000 |
| 90th percentile | $168,870 | $215,660 |
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | Data not available |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | Data not available |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | Data not available |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | Data not available |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | Data not available |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 397,880 | 1,430 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $50,110 |
| 10th percentile | $36,700 | $36,140 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $46,030 |
| 90th percentile | $89,920 | $75,730 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 210 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $62,820 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $38,240 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $65,400 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $84,470 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | 1,190 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $69,240 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $45,910 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $65,040 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $95,670 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 35,580 | Data unavailable |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $52,360 | Data unavailable |
| 10th percentile | $33,300 | Data unavailable |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,130 | Data unavailable |
| 90th percentile | $79,880 | Data unavailable |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association (RIMHCA)
- Rhode Island School Counselor Association (RISCA)
- Rhode Island Association For Marriage and Family Therapy (RIAMFT)
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists
- State of Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Rhode Island: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists |
Mental health counselors in Rhode Island can be licensed as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC). The requirements are:
|
In Rhode Island, LMHC licenses expire on the first of July of even-numbered years. Renewals cost $50 and must be accompanied by 40 continuing education hours, 20 of which must be formal courses. |
School Counseling Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) | The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) issues Support Professional Certificates to School Counselors. For an initial certificate, candidates must:
Upon completing three years of work experience in a Rhode Island public school, school counselors may apply for a professional certificate. | Initial school counselor certificates issued by RIDE are only valid for three years. Professional certificates are valid for five years. Initial certificates must convert to a professional certificate or, if progress towards a five-year certificate is being made, may be extended for a year. They are also required to complete 30 professional learning units (PLUs) annually. Professional certificate-holders are required to complete 20 PLUs annually, for a total of 100 per renewal cycle. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
The Rhode Island Certification Board (RICB) certifies Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counselors (PADC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC), and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CAADC). PADC certificate candidates must:
CADC certificate candidates must:
CAADC certificate candidates must:
|
CADC and CAADC certificates issued by the RICB must be renewed every two years. PADC may not be renewed as they are intended to be a stepping stone to higher certification. Renewals cost $150. Counselors must complete 40 hours of continuing education, of which 30 hours must be substance abuse specific and three hours must be in ethics. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists | Rehabilitation counselors in Rhode Island can be licensed as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC). The requirements are:
|
In Rhode Island, LMHC licenses expire on the first of July of even-numbered years. Renewals cost $50 and must be accompanied by 40 continuing education hours, 20 of which must be formal courses. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| State of Rhode Island Department of Health |
The State of Rhode Island Department of Health licenses Applied Behavioral Analysts (LBA) and Applied Behavioral Assistant Analysts (LABA). Requirements for licensing are:
|
LBA and LABA licenses issued in Rhode Island expire on July 1st of even-numbered years. The cost to renew either license is $150. Renewal applicants must submit proof of continued BACB certification. Current BACB certification meets state continuing education requirements. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists |
Marriage and family therapists in Rhode Island can be licensed as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). The requirements are:
|
In Rhode Island, LMFT licenses expire on the first of July of even-numbered years. Renewals cost $50 and must be accompanied by 40 continuing education hours, 20 of which must be formal courses. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Rhode Island
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists | Child therapists in Rhode Island can be licensed as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC). The requirements are:
| In Rhode Island, LMHC licenses expire on the first of July of even-numbered years. Renewals cost $50 and must be accompanied by 40 continuing education hours, 20 of which must be formal courses. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.