Find a EDS Therapist

An Educational Specialist degree represents an advanced level of training beyond a master's degree but below a doctoral level. In mental health care, this program prepares you for advanced roles in school counseling, mental health counseling, or rehabilitation counseling, or to develop greater leadership skills and expertise in your current position.

EDS therapists possess enhanced clinical competencies, research skills, and leadership capabilities that enable them to provide comprehensive mental health services while also serving in supervisory or administrative roles within their organizations.

The path to becoming an EDS therapist involves rigorous academic preparation. Candidates must first complete a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or a related mental health field. The Educational Specialist program then provides additional coursework and clinical training, typically requiring 60-70 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree.

UCM's Educational Specialist program gives you the counseling skills and knowledge you need to provide individual and group counseling in care settings such as schools and mental health care facilities. You'll also develop analytical, research and leadership skills that distinguish EDS therapists from those with only master's-level training.

The curriculum for EDS programs in clinical mental health counseling emphasizes:

• Advanced therapeutic techniques and interventions
• Research methodology and evidence-based practices
• Clinical supervision and leadership skills
• Specialized populations and treatment modalities
• Ethical considerations in advanced practice
• Program development and evaluation

EDS therapists work across diverse settings, offering both direct clinical services and supervisory roles. The Ed.S. program emphasizes the development of clinical skills that may be used in various community settings, such as private practices, mental health agencies, or marriage and family therapy clinics.

Clinical Services

EDS therapists provide comprehensive mental health services including:

• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Crisis intervention and emergency mental health services
• Substance abuse counseling and addiction treatment
• Trauma-informed care and specialized trauma therapies
• Assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions
• Treatment planning and case management

Leadership and Supervision

Beyond direct clinical work, EDS therapists often serve in leadership capacities:

• Clinical supervision of master's-level counselors
• Program development and implementation
• Quality assurance and outcome evaluation
• Staff training and professional development
• Administrative roles in mental health organizations

The connection between EDS training and mental health extends beyond traditional therapy models. EDS therapists receive comprehensive training in understanding the educational, developmental, and systemic factors that influence mental health outcomes. This unique perspective allows them to address mental health concerns within broader contexts, considering how learning environments, educational experiences, and developmental factors impact psychological well-being.

EDS and mental health professionals are particularly skilled in:

• Understanding the intersection of learning difficulties and mental health
• Addressing mental health concerns in educational settings
• Working with children, adolescents, and families within school systems
• Implementing preventive mental health programs
• Collaborating with educational professionals and healthcare providers