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By Bernd Geels, Kimmy Gustafson Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore Updated August 2, 2024 Editorial Values“For aspiring mental health counseling students in Hawaii, I would advise focusing on developing cultural competence to effectively serve Hawaii’s diverse population. Given the high rates of substance use disorders and suicide in the state, specializing in these areas could make you particularly valuable.”
Madiha Jamil, PhD, Assistant Professor and Director of the School Counseling Program, University of Hawaii at Mānoa
The state of Hawaii is unique among the member states of the United States of America due to its location, history, and multicultural populace. Polynesian and Asian cultures exert significant influence on the state population. Hawaii consists of a group of islands spread across a large expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Its geographical isolation and island economic model pose particular obstacles to those seeking to receive mental health care and those seeking training to enter the counseling profession.
The current status of Hawaii’s mental healthcare system includes both positive and negative indicators. The 2023 State of Mental Health in America report noted that the prevalence of mental illness among the population of Hawaii is very low compared to other states.
According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) state-level estimates for 2021 and 2022, around 21.5% of adults in Hawaii reported having a mental illness in the past year. Additionally, a significant percentage of adults in Hawaii, specifically 26.5 percent, exhibited symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorders in a specific time frame of February 2023. Hawaii has been facing challenges related to mental health care, as highlighted by reports of overcrowding in the state psychiatric hospital with patients who may not necessarily have medical needs, indicating potential systemic issues in the mental health care system.
Given the state’s healthcare crisis, the Hawaiian market for mental health professionals is forecast to remain robust in the immediate future. Several factors contribute to the current crisis. Among those are minimal physician participation in the state’s Medicaid system and the state’s very high cost of living. The high cost of living is, in part, a typical feature of island economies. As islands are often unable to produce most needed goods locally, islands often must import products to meet their needs. Such dependency often proves much more expensive.
Meanwhile, the state’s high housing costs are very much a product of extremely high demand, colliding with a scarcity of existing housing stock and affordable space to pursue new housing construction.
Hawaii offers relatively limited options for individuals interested in pursuing formalized training in the counseling profession. Schools offering training to enter the counseling profession are the University of Hawaii (Hilo and Manoa campuses) and Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Read on to discover how to join various counseling careers in Hawaii, including detailed information about academic programs and licensing.
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Dr. Madiha Jamil is an assistant professor and director of the school counseling program at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. She is currently leading the development of an innovative online graduate program in school counseling designed to address the nationwide educator shortage. This program aims to equip future school counselors with the skills to support Hawaii’s diverse student population.
With a career spanning over 13 years, Dr. Jamil brings extensive experience to her role. Her professional journey includes serving as a school counseling specialist in Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in education with a focus on school counseling from George Mason University, complemented by a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision from Hampton University.
Prior to joining the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Dr. Jamil held faculty positions at Arkansas State University and Texas A&M International University, contributing to her broad academic perspective. As an innovative researcher, Dr. Jamil is exploring the potential of mindfulness techniques to alleviate stress among educators and school counselors. Her work also examines how exposure to these practices might encourage educators to implement mindfulness techniques with their students, promoting overall wellness.
CounselingSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about mental health counselors in Hawaii?
Dr. Jamil: I wish the public understood that mental health counselors in Hawaii face significant challenges due to a severe shortage of professionals, with only 14.1 percent of the needs being met. This shortage is compounded by geographical barriers, leaving over 516,000 people in areas without adequate access to mental health services. The high demand for care is evident, with 26.5 percent of adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression and 23.9 percent of those needing therapy unable to receive it.
CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring mental health counseling students in Hawaii?
Dr. Jamil: For aspiring mental health counseling students in Hawaii, I would advise focusing on developing cultural competence to effectively serve Hawaii’s diverse population. Given the high rates of substance use disorders and suicide in the state, specializing in these areas could make you particularly valuable. Prepare for high demand and potentially large caseloads by developing strong self-care practices. Familiarize yourself with telehealth technologies, which may be crucial for reaching underserved populations.
The University of Hawaii at Mãnoa College of Education offers the Rehabilitation Counselor Education Program (RCEP), a 48-credit, online master of science degree in kinesiology and rehabilitation science. In addition to academic classwork, students complete three field experiences, consisting of one practicum and two internships, over three semesters.
Students seeking licensure in mental health counseling must complete an additional 12 credits and additional fieldwork under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
Graduates of this program may elect to work in various settings, including public-sector vocational rehabilitation agencies, veterans’ agencies, private-sector non-profit and for-profit rehabilitation and employment support agencies, substance abuse agencies, and correctional facilities. The program is designed for professionals currently working in vocational rehabilitation and those interested in working in this field and/or with populations of people with disabilities.
The University of Hawaii, Hilo Department of Psychology offers a 60-credit master’s degree program in counseling psychology with a specialization in clinical mental health counseling. This program employs distance education technology. Therefore, students are not required to live in Hilo. The academic program also includes a practicum requirement; successful students complete at least 600 hours at a field placement site during the second year of the two-year program.
Graduates can become licensed as Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) within Hawaii. Candidates seeking licensure must also earn a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and accrue at least 3,000 hours of post-graduate experience in mental health counseling.
The Chaminade University of Honolulu School of Education offers a 60-credit master of science degree in counseling psychology (MSCP). Students pursuing this degree may elect to pursue one of three concentrations. All three concentrations require students to complete a set of foundation and core courses and additional courses specific to their chosen concentration. The three tracks are marriage and family counseling, mental health counseling, and school counseling.
Those seeking to later become licensed outside of Hawaii should inquire with their intended licensing agency about whether or not this program qualifies.
Hawaii Pacific University offers an on-campus clinical psychology doctoral program (PsyD). This degree features instruction in areas such as the cognitive and affective bases of behavior, the social bases of behavior, clinical interviewing, the developmental aspects of behavior, individual and cultural diversity, and a history of the systems of psychology.
The first four years of this program are taken on campus and the final year comprises an off-site internship. To qualify for admission, candidates must submit proof of a bachelor’s degree in psychology (with specific coursework), a personal statement, official transcripts with at least a 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation.
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023, the latest data available as of August 2024.
| United States | Hawaii | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 71,730 | 280 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $106,600 | $92,780 |
| 10th percentile | $48,820 | $55,130 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,100 | $92,480 |
| 90th percentile | $168,870 | $131,100 |
| United States | Hawaii | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | 150 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | $69,160 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $38,140 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | $62,120 |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | $135,760 |
| United States | Hawaii | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 270 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $44,120 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $36,290 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $43,440 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $56,660 |
| United States | Hawaii | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | 1,700 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $66,900 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $46,350 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $61,660 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $87,900 |
Hawaii issues Mental Health Counselor licenses.
Requirements for licensure include:
Hawaii requires Mental Health Counselors to renew their licenses every three years. The fee is $282 and there is no continuing education requirement.
All teachers and school counselors in Hawaii are required to be licensed through the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Provisional teaching license candidates must:
Once a teacher has completed three years of work experience, they may apply for a renewable standard permit.
Currently, there are no published guidelines for school counselor requirements on the Hawaii Department of Education or the Hawaʻi Teacher Standards Board websites.
However, the American School Counselor Association lists the following requirements for school counselors in Hawaii:
Provisional teaching licenses issued in Hawaii may not be renewed.
Standard licenses must be renewed every five years. To renew, teachers must submit an application and must earn 60 continuing education points. These points can be earned through testing, education, certification, curriculum development, or participation on committees.
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certifications are issued by the State of Hawaii, Department of Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.
Eligibility requirements for CSACs include:
CSAC certifications in Hawaii expire every two years and cost $25.
Renewal requirements include completing the two-page application, providing proof of 40 hours of continuing education, of which at least 20 were face-to-face and six were in ethics.
Hawaii issues Mental Health Counselor licenses to aspiring rehabilitation counselors.
Requirements for licensure include:
Hawaii requires Mental Health Counselors to renew their licenses every three years. The fee is $282 and there is no continuing education requirement.
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional & Vocational Licensing Division licenses behavior analysts in Hawaii. The requirements for licensure are:
Behavior analyst licenses in Hawaii expire on December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Renewals cost $220, and there are no continuing education requirements.
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) licenses Marriage and Family Therapists.
Hawaii requires marriage and family therapists to renew their licenses every three years. The fee is $405.
MFTs are required to complete 45 hours of continuing education per renewal period. Six of those hours must be in ethics.
Hawaii issues Mental Health Counselor licenses to aspiring child therapists.
Requirements for licensure include:
Hawaii requires Mental Health Counselors to renew their licenses every three years. The fee is $282 and there is no continuing education requirement.
Bernd 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].
At 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.
