How to become a geriatric counselor in [XYZ_SCHOOL_YEAR]

Written by Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW, Last Updated: October 22, 2025

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What Is a Geriatric Counselor?

A geriatric counselor is a licensed mental health professional who specializes in providing counseling, assessment, and therapeutic services specifically for older adults, typically those aged 65 and above.
These professionals combine clinical mental health training with specialized knowledge about the aging process, geriatric mental health conditions, and the unique challenges faced by elderly individuals. Unlike general counselors who may occasionally work with older clients, geriatric counselors focus their entire practice on understanding and addressing the psychological needs of aging populations.
It's important to distinguish geriatric counseling from related fields. Geropsychologists hold doctoral degrees and can conduct psychological testing and research, while geriatric counselors typically hold master's degrees and focus on direct counseling services. Social workers may provide case management and connect clients with community resources, while geriatric counselors concentrate primarily on mental health treatment. Gerontologists study the aging process from various perspectives but aren't necessarily clinicians.
Geriatric counselors work at the intersection of mental health and aging, helping older adults maintain their psychological well-being, cope with life transitions, and achieve the best possible quality of life in their later years. They understand how aging affects mental health and how mental health affects the aging experience.

What Does a Geriatric Counselor Do?

Geriatric counselors spend their days helping older adults navigate the complex emotional landscape of aging. A typical day might begin with individual therapy sessions addressing depression or anxiety, followed by family counseling to help adult children and their aging parents communicate about difficult topics like care planning or end-of-life wishes.
The work involves a comprehensive assessment of clients' mental health needs, taking into account their medical history, medications, cognitive functioning, and social support systems. Many geriatric counselors develop detailed treatment plans that address multiple dimensions of an older adult's well-being, coordinating with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure holistic care.
Common issues geriatric counselors address include:

Depression and anxiety related to aging, loss of independence, or chronic illness
Grief and bereavement following the death of spouses, friends, or siblings
Adjustment to chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis
Concerns about memory loss and cognitive decline
End-of-life issues, including fears about death and decisions about care
Family conflicts around caregiving responsibilities and care placement
Social isolation and loneliness
Substance abuse issues, which often go unrecognized in older adults

Beyond direct counseling, geriatric counselors often serve as advocates and educators. They might lead support groups for people with dementia or their caregivers, conduct mental health screenings in senior centers, or train nursing home staff to recognize signs of depression in residents. Some focus more on case management, helping clients access community resources, arrange transportation to appointments, or navigate the healthcare system.
The therapeutic relationship takes on special significance in geriatric counseling. Many older adults grew up in eras when mental health treatment carried stigma, so building trust requires patience and cultural sensitivity. Counselors must also adapt their approaches for clients with hearing loss, vision impairment, or cognitive changes while maintaining respect for their life experience and wisdom.

Why Geriatric Counseling Is a Growing Career

The numbers tell a compelling story about the future of geriatric counseling. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2034, older adults will outnumber children for the first time in American history. The 65-and-over population is expected to reach 80 million by 2040, nearly double what it was in 2000.
This silver tsunami creates enormous demand for mental health professionals who understand aging. Depression affects up to 15% of community-dwelling older adults and up to 35% of those in nursing homes, yet it's often undertreated because symptoms can be mistaken for normal aging. Suicide rates among elderly men remain among the highest of any age group, highlighting the critical need for mental health intervention.
The COVID-19 pandemic amplified awareness of mental health needs among older adults. Social isolation, fear of illness, and loss of loved ones created a mental health crisis that persists today. This increased recognition has led to more funding for geriatric mental health services and growing acceptance among older adults themselves that seeking counseling is appropriate and helpful.
Telehealth has revolutionized access to geriatric counseling services. Older adults who live in rural areas, have mobility limitations, or simply prefer the convenience of home-based sessions can now connect with specialized counselors via video platforms. This technology expansion creates new opportunities for geriatric counselors to serve broader populations.
From a career perspective, specializing in geriatric counseling offers significant advantages. The field provides strong job security because demographic trends guarantee continued demand. The work is intellectually stimulating, requiring counselors to understand complex interactions between physical health, medications, cognition, and mental health. Most importantly, the impact is profound. Helping an older adult overcome depression, reconnect with family, or find peace at the end of life creates meaning that few careers can match.

Educational Pathways to Become a Geriatric Counselor

Becoming a geriatric counselor requires substantial education, but you have options in how you get there. The two most common pathways lead through clinical mental health counseling or clinical social work, both requiring master's degrees. Your choice depends on your interests, career goals, and preferred work settings.

Starting with a Bachelor's Degree

Your undergraduate education lays the foundation for graduate work. Most aspiring geriatric counselors major in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a related field. Psychology programs provide a strong grounding in human development, abnormal psychology, and research methods. Social work programs emphasize systems thinking, cultural competence, and social justice perspectives.
Regardless of your major, seek out courses in lifespan development, aging, and gerontology if they're available. Volunteer at nursing homes, senior centers, or hospice programs to gain exposure to older populations. These experiences help you confirm your interest in the field and strengthen your graduate school applications.
Some students work as direct care aides, activities coordinators, or case management assistants in elder care settings while completing their bachelor's degrees. This hands-on experience provides invaluable insight into the daily realities of working with older adults and their families.

Master's Degree Options

A master's degree is the entry point for professional practice as a geriatric counselor. Programs typically require two to three years of full-time study, including extensive supervised clinical training. You'll choose between counseling and social work tracks, each leading to different licensure credentials.
Clinical mental health counseling programs (leading to MA or MS degrees) train you in counseling theory, techniques, and evidence-based interventions. You'll study human development, psychopathology, assessment, ethics, and multicultural counseling. Coursework emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and direct clinical skills. Look for programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), as this accreditation is increasingly required for licensure.
Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with clinical concentrations prepare you for clinical social work practice. The curriculum includes human behavior theory, social welfare policy, research methods, and clinical practice skills. Social work programs emphasize a person-in-environment perspective and systems-level thinking. Choose programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Both paths require substantial supervised field experience, typically 600-1,000 hours during your graduate program. Seek placements in settings serving older adults, such as geriatric mental health clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, or community aging services.
While not required, some programs offer specialized certificates or concentrations in gerontological counseling or aging. These specializations provide focused coursework on aging processes, geriatric mental health conditions, family caregiving, and end-of-life issues. Even without formal specialization, you can often arrange electives and field placements to build expertise in geriatric counseling.

Educational Pathway Comparison

Pathway	Degree Required	Duration	Licensure Credential	Median Annual Salary
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	MA/MS in Counseling	2-3 years	LPC/LMHC/LPCC	$59,190
Clinical Social Work	MSW (Clinical)	2 years	LCSW	$60,060-$68,090
Clinical Psychology	PhD or PsyD	5-7 years	Licensed Psychologist	$90,000+

The doctoral psychology pathway offers the highest earning potential and most extensive training, but it's not necessary for most geriatric counseling positions. Consider this route if you're interested in psychological testing, supervision, teaching, or research.

Licensure and Certification Requirements

Professional licensure is legally required to practice as a geriatric counselor in all 50 states. The specific credential you pursue depends on your graduate degree, but the general process follows similar steps: complete your master's degree, accumulate supervised clinical hours, and pass a licensure examination.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC/LMHC/LPCC) Path

If you complete a master's degree in counseling, you'll pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), depending on your state's terminology.
Requirements vary by state but typically include 2,000 to 4,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience, usually accumulated over two to three years. You'll work under a licensed supervisor who meets regularly with you to review cases, provide guidance, and evaluate your clinical skills. Many states require that a certain percentage of your hours involve direct client contact.
Once you've completed your supervised hours, you'll take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). These standardized tests assess your knowledge of counseling theory, ethics, assessment, and clinical practice. Your state may also require a jurisprudence exam covering state-specific laws and regulations.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Path

MSW graduates typically pursue licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), the advanced practice credential that permits independent clinical practice. Most states require an initial master's-level license (LMSW or similar) before you can begin accumulating clinical hours toward your LCSW.
Supervised clinical experience requirements range from 3,000 to 4,000 hours in most states, typically completed over two to three years. Supervision must focus on clinical practice, and many states specify minimum face-to-face supervision hours.
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) administers the clinical licensure examination. This test evaluates your knowledge of social work practice, human development, assessment, intervention, and professional ethics as they apply to clinical social work.

Specialized Certifications

Beyond basic licensure, several certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate expertise in geriatric counseling:

National Certified Counselor (NCC) from the National Board for Certified Counselors recognizes professional counselors who meet national standards
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) designates advanced clinical competence in mental health counseling
Geriatric Care Manager certifications from organizations like the Aging Life Care Association prepare counselors to coordinate comprehensive care
Gerontological Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) credentials are available for those with nursing backgrounds who transition to counseling

While not always required, these certifications can improve employment prospects, justify higher salaries, and provide professional development opportunities.

Specializations Within Geriatric Counseling

As you gain experience, you might focus on particular aspects of geriatric mental health that align with your interests and aptitudes.
Dementia and Alzheimer's care counseling involves working with individuals in early-stage cognitive decline, helping them process their diagnosis, plan for the future, and cope with the grief of losing cognitive abilities. You'll also counsel family members struggling to support a loved one with dementia.
End-of-life and hospice counseling help patients and families navigate the final chapter of life. This specialization requires comfort discussing death, strong crisis intervention skills, and the ability to facilitate difficult family conversations about care wishes and legacy.
Geriatric care management blends counseling with case coordination. Care managers assess clients' needs, develop comprehensive care plans, coordinate services, monitor care quality, and advocate for clients. This role suits counselors who enjoy problem-solving and systems navigation.
Long-term care facility consultation involves contracting with nursing homes or assisted living communities to provide mental health services to residents. You might conduct depression screenings, offer individual or group therapy, and train staff to recognize mental health issues.
Family and caregiver counseling focuses on the family system surrounding an aging adult. Caregivers often experience stress, burnout, and anticipatory grief. Family conflicts around care decisions can be intense and require skilled mediation.
Geriatric substance abuse treatment addresses a commonly overlooked problem. Older adults may misuse prescription medications, continue lifelong alcohol dependence, or begin drinking problematically in response to loss and isolation. Treatment approaches must be adapted for older adults' unique needs.
Elder abuse prevention and intervention trains counselors to recognize signs of physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse and to navigate reporting requirements while maintaining therapeutic relationships.

Where Geriatric Counselors Work

Geriatric counselors find employment in diverse settings, each offering different opportunities and challenges:

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities employ counselors to provide mental health services to residents, conduct assessments, and support families through care transitions
Hospitals and medical centers hire geriatric counselors for geriatric psychiatry units, palliative care teams, or as part of interdisciplinary geriatric assessment programs
Outpatient mental health clinics serve older adults in community settings, often offering specialized geriatric programs
Private practice allows experienced counselors to build specialized geriatric counseling practices, often combining telehealth and in-home sessions
Senior centers and community programs provide preventive mental health services, support groups, and wellness programs
Home health agencies send counselors into clients' homes to provide services to homebound older adults
Government agencies like the Veterans Administration or state departments of aging employ counselors to serve elderly populations
Hospice and palliative care programs integrate counselors into end-of-life care teams

Many geriatric counselors work in multiple settings, perhaps maintaining a part-time private practice while also contracting with a nursing home or working for a community agency.

Geriatric Counselor Salary and Compensation

Geriatric counselor salaries vary based on credentials, work setting, geographic location, and experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't track "geriatric counselors" as a distinct occupation, but geriatric counselors fall under several related categories depending on their credentials and roles.

Current Salary Data (May 2024)

Occupation Category	Median Annual Wage	10th Percentile	90th Percentile	Total Employment
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Counselors	$59,190	$39,090	$98,210	440,380
Healthcare Social Workers	$68,090	$45,030	$100,870	185,940
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers	$60,060	$39,620	$104,130	125,910
Social Workers, All Other	$69,480	$44,530	$112,740	64,940

Geriatric counselors with LPC/LMHC credentials typically fall in the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Counselors category, with median earnings around $59,190. Those with LCSW credentials working in healthcare settings often earn closer to $68,090. The wide salary ranges reflect differences in experience, specialization, and work setting.

Factors Affecting Geriatric Counselor Salaries

Geographic location significantly impacts earnings. Metropolitan areas and states with higher costs of living typically pay more. Geriatric counselors in California, New York, and Massachusetts often earn 20-30% above national medians.
Work setting influences compensation. Private practice counselors have the highest earning potential, but also bear business expenses. Hospitals and medical centers typically offer higher salaries than community agencies or nursing homes, but may require more administrative work.
Experience level matters considerably. Entry-level counselors working toward licensure earn at the lower end of salary ranges, while experienced specialists can command top-tier compensation, especially in underserved areas or specialized niches.
Additional credentials, such as board certification, specialized training in evidence-based therapies, or geriatric care management certification, can justify higher fees and salaries.
Specialization in high-demand areas like dementia care, hospice counseling, or geriatric psychiatry support can increase earning potential. Counselors who develop expertise that's difficult to find become more valuable to employers.

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Skills and Qualities for Success

Effective geriatric counselors combine clinical competence with personal qualities that enable them to connect with older adults and their families.

Essential Personal Qualities

Empathy and compassion allow you to understand the losses and challenges your clients face without becoming overwhelmed by sadness
Patience helps when clients need more time to process information, make decisions, or build trust
Active listening skills enable you to hear not just words but the emotions and needs underneath
Cultural sensitivity is crucial when working with older adults from diverse backgrounds with different values around aging, family, and mental health
Strong communication abilities help you explain concepts clearly, adapt your style for clients with sensory or cognitive changes, and collaborate with families and healthcare teams
Emotional resilience sustains you through the inevitable losses that come with working with an aging population

Clinical Competencies

Knowledge of normal and pathological aging helps you distinguish between typical age-related changes and symptoms requiring intervention
Understanding of geriatric mental health conditions, including late-life depression, anxiety, cognitive disorders, and somatic symptom disorders
Assessment skills adapted for older adults, including mental status examination, suicide risk assessment, and capacity evaluation
Familiarity with evidence-based treatments modified for older adults, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for late-life depression or reminiscence therapy
Medication awareness so you can recognize how psychiatric and medical medications affect mental health and functioning
Family systems knowledge enables you to work effectively with complex multigenerational dynamics
Crisis intervention abilities prepare you to respond to situations involving suicide risk, elder abuse, or acute mental health deterioration

Challenges and Rewards of Geriatric Counseling

Geriatric counseling brings unique challenges that require self-awareness and good self-care practices. The work involves regular exposure to loss, decline, and death. You'll develop relationships with clients knowing that many will die within months or years. Watching cognitive decline progress despite your best efforts can feel frustrating. Family conflicts over care decisions can be intense and sometimes unsolvable.
The emotional weight of the work requires strong boundaries and effective stress management. Burnout is real in this field, particularly for counselors who don't take breaks, seek supervision, or maintain life balance. You'll need to process your own feelings about aging, loss, and mortality. Unresolved personal issues can interfere with your ability to help clients.
Ageism exists within healthcare systems and society at large. You may need to advocate for older clients whose concerns are dismissed as "normal aging" when they actually have treatable conditions. Insurance reimbursement for geriatric mental health services can be challenging, particularly in long-term care settings.
Yet the rewards are extraordinary. Helping an older adult overcome depression that's robbed years of their life brings immense satisfaction. Facilitating reconciliation between estranged family members, guiding someone through a peaceful end-of-life process, or helping a person with early dementia create a legacy project creates meaning that transcends job descriptions.
Older adults often have compelling life stories, hard-won wisdom, and deep gratitude for help received. The therapeutic relationships you form can be profoundly moving. Many geriatric counselors report that their older clients teach them as much about resilience, acceptance, and what matters in life as they teach their clients about mental health.
The field offers intellectual stimulation because you're constantly learning about the complex interactions between physical health, cognition, medications, social circumstances, and mental health. No two clients present identically, and the diagnostic picture often resembles a puzzle requiring careful assembly.

How to Get Started in Geriatric Counseling

If you're ready to pursue this career path, follow these steps:
1. Complete a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a related field. Maintain a strong GPA (3.0+) for graduate school admissions.
2. Gain experience with older adults through volunteer work, internships, or entry-level employment. Senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, and Meals on Wheels programs welcome volunteers. This experience helps you confirm your interest and strengthens graduate applications.
3. Choose your educational pathway based on your interests and career goals. Research both counseling and social work programs to determine which curriculum aligns better with how you want to practice.
4. Complete an accredited master's program in clinical mental health counseling or social work. Seek out programs offering gerontology coursework or field placement opportunities with older adults.
5. Accumulate supervised clinical hours working toward licensure. Try to gain at least some experience in geriatric settings during this phase.
6. Pass your licensure examination to become an LPC/LMHC or LCSW. Prepare thoroughly and don't be discouraged if you need multiple attempts.
7. Consider specialized training or certification in areas like dementia care, end-of-life counseling, or geriatric care management to distinguish yourself in the job market.
8. Begin your career in a setting that provides mentorship and learning opportunities. Many new counselors start in community agencies or healthcare systems before moving to private practice.
Throughout this journey, seek out mentors working in geriatric counseling who can provide guidance, perspective, and encouragement. Join professional organizations like the American Counseling Association or National Association of Social Workers, which offer resources for professionals working with older adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a geriatric counselor and a geropsychologist?

Geriatric counselors typically hold master's degrees (MA, MS, or MSW) and focus on providing counseling and therapy services to older adults. Geropsychologists hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) in psychology and are licensed psychologists who specialize in aging. Geropsychologists can conduct psychological testing, perform neuropsychological assessments, conduct research, and provide therapy. Both work with older adults, but the educational requirements and scope of practice differ significantly.

Do I need a doctorate to become a geriatric counselor?

No, you don't need a doctorate to work as a geriatric counselor. A master's degree in counseling or clinical social work is the standard credential for this field. Doctoral degrees are only necessary if you want to become a licensed psychologist, conduct psychological testing, teach at the university level, or pursue a research career. Most direct service geriatric counseling positions require only a master's degree and appropriate licensure.

How long does it take to become a geriatric counselor?

The complete timeline typically spans six to seven years after high school. You'll spend four years earning a bachelor's degree, two to three years completing a master's program, and an additional two to three years accumulating supervised clinical hours for licensure. These phases overlap somewhat since you can begin accruing supervised hours while still in graduate school. If you already have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, you're looking at approximately four to five years to full licensure.

Can I work as a geriatric counselor in private practice?

Yes, many geriatric counselors maintain successful private practices. However, you'll need to be fully licensed (LPC/LMHC or LCSW depending on your state) before you can practice independently. Most counselors gain several years of supervised experience in agency or institutional settings before opening private practices. Private practice requires not just clinical skills but also business acumen for managing billing, insurance credentialing, marketing, and practice operations.

What's the job outlook for geriatric counselors?

The job outlook is very strong due to demographic trends. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth for mental health counselors and clinical social workers to be much faster than average for all occupations through 2032. The aging of the Baby Boomer generation creates sustained demand for professionals specializing in older adult mental health. Rural areas and facilities serving lower-income elderly populations often face particular shortages of geriatric mental health professionals.

Do geriatric counselors only work with dementia patients?

No, geriatric counselors work with older adults facing a wide range of issues, not just dementia. Common concerns include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, adjustment to chronic illness, relationship problems, family conflicts, life transitions like retirement or relocation, and end-of-life issues. While some geriatric counselors specialize in dementia care, many others focus on different aspects of geriatric mental health or maintain general practices serving older adults with various concerns.

Can I become a geriatric counselor with a social work degree?

Absolutely. Many geriatric counselors hold MSW degrees and are licensed as clinical social workers (LCSWs). The social work pathway is equally valid as the counseling pathway for entering this field. Social work programs emphasize systems thinking, cultural competence, and connecting clients with resources, all valuable skills in geriatric counseling. Choose the educational path that aligns with your professional identity and preferred approach to helping others.

Key Takeaways

Growing demand: America's aging population creates strong job security and expanding opportunities for geriatric counselors specializing in older adult mental health.
Master's degree required: Becoming a geriatric counselor requires a master's in counseling or social work, followed by 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised experience and licensure.
Two main pathways: You can enter the field through clinical mental health counseling (LPC/LMHC credential) or clinical social work (LCSW credential), each with distinct training emphases.
Competitive salaries: Median salaries range from $59,190 to $69,480 annually, depending on credentials, setting, and location, with experienced specialists earning significantly more.
Diverse work settings: Geriatric counselors work in nursing homes, hospitals, private practices, senior centers, hospice programs, and community agencies, offering varied career options.
Meaningful impact: Despite challenges, including exposure to loss and death, geriatric counseling offers profound rewards through improving the quality of life for vulnerable older adults.

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How to become a geriatric counselor in [XYZ_SCHOOL_YEAR]

Table of Contents

What Is a Geriatric Counselor?

What Does a Geriatric Counselor Do?

Why Geriatric Counseling Is a Growing Career

Educational Pathways to Become a Geriatric Counselor

Starting with a Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree Options

Educational Pathway Comparison

Licensure and Certification Requirements

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC/LMHC/LPCC) Path

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Path

Specialized Certifications

Specializations Within Geriatric Counseling

Where Geriatric Counselors Work

Geriatric Counselor Salary and Compensation

Current Salary Data (May 2024)

Factors Affecting Geriatric Counselor Salaries

Skills and Qualities for Success

Essential Personal Qualities

Clinical Competencies

Challenges and Rewards of Geriatric Counseling

How to Get Started in Geriatric Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a geriatric counselor and a geropsychologist?

Do I need a doctorate to become a geriatric counselor?

How long does it take to become a geriatric counselor?

Can I work as a geriatric counselor in private practice?

What's the job outlook for geriatric counselors?

Do geriatric counselors only work with dementia patients?

Can I become a geriatric counselor with a social work degree?

Key Takeaways

Ready to Start Your Geriatric Counseling Career?

Research Careers

Finding a Program

Explore Degree Paths

Work Experience

Educational Path

Licensing Resources