Frequently Asked Questions

  • Behavioral health refers to the connection between behaviors, mental health, and overall well-being. It includes the treatment and prevention of mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and related behavioral issues. 

  • Please see our section describing Behavioral Health and Career Options in the field.  According to NASW:   

    Social work practice in behavioral health promotes well-being through by assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, substance use, and other addictions. Social work practice in behavioral health incorporates knowledge of human behavior, sociology, psychiatry, psychology, and many other social science disciplines. Individual, group and family therapy are common treatment modalities.   

    Social workers who provide behavioral health services may be required to be licensed or certified in their jurisdiction of practice. Behavioral health clinicians perform services in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, community mental health, primary care, treatment centers, and other agencies.  

  • Careers include mental health counselors, social workers, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, and behavioral health technicians. Many professionals also work in policy development or public health. Check out our Careers page for more information. 

  • This can be tough for some students to decide.  It’s recommended that you speak with faculty representatives from the different fields you’re exploring.  A Pathway Tool is coming soon to this page that may help you decipher the difference between these areas. Check out our Behavioral Health Career Exploration Events as well! 

  • See our Careers page for examples of educational pathways. 

  • Critical skills include empathy, active listening, emotional intelligence, communication, problem-solving, and an understanding of mental health conditions and treatments. An understanding of issues related to diversity and an active practice of cultural humility are also imperative.  

  • The demand for behavioral health professionals is expected to grow significantly due to the increased focus on mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and integrated healthcare approaches. 

  • Courses typically cover psychology, human development, counseling techniques, ethics, mental health disorders, substance use disorders, crisis intervention, and therapy methods. Practicum or internship experiences are often part of the program.

  • Yes, you can specialize in areas such as substance abuse counseling, child and adolescent therapy, family therapy, geriatric mental health, or trauma-focused therapy.  Those specializations would be available to you at the BSW and MSW level.

  • Licensing is required for many clinical roles, such as mental health counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. Each state has different licensing requirements, typically including supervised clinical hours and passing a licensing exam. 

  • Behavioral health professionals work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, schools, rehabilitation centers, community health organizations, and correctional facilities.

  • Certifications vary by specialty but can include Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CDCA), and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). 

  • You can gain experience through internships, volunteer opportunities, and supervised practicums that involve direct client contact. Programs related to behavioral health here at Sinclair offer a range of volunteer and observational field experiences.  

  • Behavioral health professionals can influence public policy by advocating for mental health services, shaping policies that address addiction, and developing community programs to promote overall well-being and reduce stigma. 

  • Telehealth is becoming increasingly important in behavioral health, allowing professionals to provide therapy and counseling services remotely. This increases access to care, especially for those in rural or underserved areas. 

  • Yes, many behavioral health professionals pursue research in areas such as mental health treatment efficacy, addiction recovery, trauma-informed care, and public health interventions. 

  • Yes, you can specialize in working with children, adolescents, veterans, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or those with substance use disorders, depending on your area of interest. 

  • According to Highered.ohio.gov at Ohio’s two-year and four-year colleges and universities, the Great Minds Fellowship is a program available to students within two years of graduating with degrees or certificates in social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, psychiatric/mental health nursing, and substance abuse/addiction counseling.  

    Great Minds Fellows at participating colleges and universities will be eligible for up to $10,000 during their undergraduate and graduate studies for scholarship opportunities to assist with the costs of obtaining their degrees or certificates; paid internships at one of Ohio’s Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC) at the undergraduate and graduate levels; and the costs of required license and certification preparation and exams (and other costs related to the degree or certificate).   

  • Yes.  Students are Sinclair are eligible for the Ohio Great Minds Fellowship if they are within 2 years of graduation and enrolled in either the Associates of Arts in Social Work or the Short-Term Certificate in Chemical Dependency Counseling Assistant.  Students must consent to complete a 48-field placement in a behavioral health setting as part of SWK1213, and they must agree to seek employment in a behavioral health setting upon graduation from Sinclair, or subsequent institution.