Resources for Aspiring Children's Behavioral Health Professionals

Care Coordinators work with providers and families to ensure that services across providers are organized, non-duplicative, and responsive to client needs. They may use standardized assessments, help monitor medical compliance, and address barriers to treatment. Wraparound is an approach to Care Coordination that may be used. While supportive, their role is not peer-based, and they typically do not provide mentorship or direct emotional support. 

Minimum education requirements vary by employer and can include a high school diploma, an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or lived experience in place of educational requirements. 

Case Managers are professionals who coordinate care and services across clinical, behavioral, and social support systems. They assess client needs, develop care plans, monitor progress, and connect individuals and families to additional supportive services such as housing, therapy, or benefits. 

Minimum education requirements vary by employer and can include a high school diploma, an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or lived experience in place of educational requirements. 

Community Health Workers (CHWs) act as frontline public health professionals who connect communities to health resources, provide education, and address social drivers of health (such as housing needs). Their work is often grounded in shared cultural, linguistic, or geographic ties, and they play a key role in improving access, equity, health knowledge, and preventive care. CHWs may share experiences related to community context or social drivers of health, but are not required to have lived experience with behavioral health recovery or parenting a child with a behavioral health condition.

The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) offers a Community Health Worker certification. To become certified, you must be at least 16 years old. CT State Community Colleges offers a DPH-approved Community Health Worker Program that prepares students to meet the state's CHW certification requirements.

CHW Licensing Requirements - DPH

CSCC'S CHW Program

Peer Support Specialists (also known as recovery specialists, peer advocates, family support specialists, etc.) are distinguished by their use of lived experience as the foundation of their work. Peer roles are built on principles of mutuality, recovery, hope, empowerment, and non-clinical relationship-building.

Within the children's behavioral health system, youth peer support specialists are young adults (typically aged 18-29) with experience receiving mental health services as a child/adolescent who work directly with youth or other young adults. Family peer support specialists are parents/caregivers with experience navigating behavioral health or related systems for their children who provide support to other parents/caregivers.

There are a variety of training programs available for Peer Support Specialists, who can become credentialed through the Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) Credential, offered by the Connecticut Certification Board.

Family Peer Support Program - FAVOR, Inc.

Youth Peer Support - Advocacy Unlimited

CPRSP Credential - DMHAS

Licensed Social Workers (LCSWs or LMSWs in CT) are master’s level-trained clinicians who focus on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness and other behavioral health issues.

Licensed Master’s level Social Workers (LMSWs) can provide counseling, case management, and support services in a variety of settings. When providing clinical treatment, they must do so under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). LMSWs can also work as School Social Workers; a separate certification is required by the Connecticut Department of Education. 

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) have completed a certain number of hours of additional clinical training under LCSW supervision, passed a state licensure exam, and must complete ongoing continuing education to maintain licensure. LCSWs can practice independently (without supervision) and can assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of behavioral and mental health conditions, but they cannot prescribe medication. 

School Social Worker Certification Requirements in CT (SDE)

LCSW Licensing Requirements in CT (DPH)

National Association of Social Workers Connecticut Chapter

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are clinicians that have master’s degrees and specific training working with families, couples, and/or children. LMFTs approach their work by looking at family systems and how they work. They may work in community-based clinics, hospitals, private practice, and other settings.

Marital and Family Therapist Licensing Requirements in CT (DPH)

Connecticut Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) are clinicians who hold master’s degrees (or higher) in counseling or a related field and have completed at least 3,000 hours (~2 years) of post-graduate supervised clinical experience working with adults, families or children. They must also pass a state or national licensure or certification exam. LPCs may work in community-based clinics or agencies, private practice, schools, hospitals, and other settings.

Professional counselors who want to work in schools must also obtain a School Counselor certification from the CT State Department of Education.

Professional Counselor Licensing Requirements in CT (DPH)

School Counselor Certification Requirements in CT (SDE)

Connecticut Counseling Association

Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), also known as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, are registered nurses (RNs) with post-graduate level degrees (typically a Master of Science in Nursing) and advanced clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice.

In addition to the core nursing functions performed by RNs, APRNs are also qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals or families with psychiatric/mental health problems. Unlike most other kinds of behavioral health clinicians (with the exception of psychiatrists), APRNs can prescribe medication. APRNs can also earn doctoral degrees (PhD, DNSc, and EdD).

APRN Licensing Requirements in CT (DPH)

American Psychiatric Nurses Association

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who have completed medical school followed by residency training and fellowships to specialize in psychiatry. Psychiatrists must pass a state licensing exam. Child and adolescent psychiatrists have completed more specialized training (usually in the form of a fellowship) in working with children. It takes an average of 8-10 years to become a psychiatrist after completing a bachelor's degree.

Psychiatrists can evaluate, assess, diagnose, and treat mental/behavioral health conditions. They can provide psychotherapy and can also prescribe and monitor medication.

Psychiatrist Licensing Requirements in CT (DPH)

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Connecticut Psychiatric Society

Psychologists are doctoral-level, trained behavioral health specialists with expertise in providing psychotherapy, conducting assessments (including psychological testing), evaluation, diagnosis, and research. They hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) from an American Psychological Association (APA)-approved program. Often, psychology doctoral programs offer specializations in focus areas such as child and adolescent psychology or school psychology. 

Psychologist Licensing Requirements in CT (DPH)

Connecticut Psychological Association

Alcohol and Drug Counselors are clinicians who diagnose, treat, and support individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) hold master's degrees, can make diagnoses, and can practice independently and supervise others.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs) typically hold a high school diploma or an associate's degree and work under the supervision of a licensed professional.

LADC/CADC Licensing Requirements in CT (DPH)

Connecticut Association for Addiction Professionals