About
Be The Change is our new recruitment campaign which aims to address the critical shortage of behavioral and mental health professionals in the state of Virginia. Our goal is to encourage students and young adults to consider the wide range of opportunities available, as well as provide resources and career pathways for those seeking to enter the field.
This campaign is part of the Right Help. Right Now. initiative created to strengthen behavioral health services statewide. By helping individuals find accurate, up-to-date career information, we hope to increase awareness and recruitment, and ultimately build a stronger behavioral and mental health workforce in Virginia.
Quick Facts
Virginians live in a community without adequate access to behavioral health specialists or telehealth services
Salaries for professionals in the mental and behavioral health fields can be as high as $250,000 per year.
Job Market
Average annual salaries for some of the most in-demand behavioral health specialist roles:
- Qualified Mental Health Professional - $60,000
- Licensed Marriage Family Therapist - $82,000
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) - $85,000
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - $90,000
- Clinical Psychologist - $120,000
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - $145,000
- Psychiatrist - $250,000
Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
Virginia features some of the best colleges and universities in the nation. Currently, there are more than 40 behavioral health programs offered at colleges and universities across the state.
- University of Virginia
- Virginia Tech
- William & Mary College
- George Mason University
- James Madison University
- Virginia Commonwealth University