Persons currently working as case managers, substance use disorder professionals, community health workers, and other behavioral health, human service and/or healthcare roles might be interested in expanding their knowledge and skill set by becoming a BHSS in Washington State. Interested persons may contact a collegiate partner offering a BHSS certificate or specialization. You don’t need to be in the behavioral health field to pursue a career as a Behavioral Health Support Specialist. You do need to be enrolled in a bachelor’s program that offers the BHSS certificate or specialization as part of the degree program.
A BHSS may be a lifetime career for some individuals. We encourage all adults across the lifespan to consider a career as a BHSS.
For some, working as a BHSS may be a step on a different path to other professions in mental and behavioral health. A benefit of practicing at the bachelor level is the opportunity to interact with other professionals with graduate degrees from various disciplines. Learning about other professions is an exciting way to find one’s own career calling. Below is a list of common behavioral health careers at the master’s or doctoral levels. There is a link to a state professional association for each career. There are likely numerous professional associations connected to a particular career track.
| Applied Behavioral Analysis | Washington Association for Behavioral Analysis About (washingtonaba.org) |
| Clinical Social Work | National Association of Social Workers, Washington Chapter Home (socialworkers.org) |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Washington Assoc. for Marriage and Family Therapy (wamft.org) |
| Mental Health Counseling | Washington Mental Health Counselors Association WMHCA – Washington Mental Health Counselors Association |
| Psychiatry | Washington State Psychiatric Association Washington State Psychiatric Association (memberclicks.net) |
| Psychiatric Nursing | American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Washington Chapter APNA Washington Chapter | APNA |
| Psychology | Washington State Psychology Association Home – Washington State Psychological Association (wspapsych.org) |
