Behavioral health is a growing field, but getting started takes more than compassion. If you’re drawn to making a difference in people’s lives but aren’t sure where to begin, building a foundational understanding of your options is the perfect place to start.
What does the day-to-day of a behavioral health career really look like? What are the steps you need to take, and how do you know which role is the right fit? This guide is designed to answer your questions and instill confidence in your decisions. We’ll tackle what it’s really like to work as a mental health technician, what education you’ll need, and how our Addiction Studies and Mental Health Technician Certificate Program at The College of Health Care Professions can help you get started in a way that fits your life.
In This Article:
What Is a Mental Health Technician?
A mental health technician—also known as a behavioral health technician, psychiatric technician, or psych tech—is a healthcare support professional who works directly with individuals experiencing mental health or behavioral challenges. These professionals are vital members of care teams, helping patients with daily tasks, observing behavior, and supporting the implementation of treatment plans.
While mental health technicians don't diagnose conditions or provide therapy, they are often the first line of support in settings like hospitals, residential treatment centers, and detox units. Their day-to-day involvement helps create safer, more stable environments where patients can begin the process of recovery.
For those who are empathetic, resilient, and ready to make a real difference, a career as a psych tech offers a purposeful way to support mental health care.
What Are the Differences Between Mental Health Technicians, Behavioral Health Technicians, and Psychiatric Technicians?
These job titles often get used interchangeably, and while they share many responsibilities, each one brings a slightly different focus to supporting individuals with mental health or behavioral challenges. Here’s a quick breakdown of a few key differences between these roles:
- Mental Health Technicians help patients with daily living tasks, monitor behavior, and support treatment plans—often in hospitals, residential centers, or detox units.
- Behavioral Health Technicians focus more on reinforcing positive behaviors and documenting progress, typically in outpatient programs or youth treatment centers.
- Psychiatric Technicians work in clinical or hospital settings, helping administer medications, monitor psychiatric symptoms, and support therapeutic activities under medical supervision.
Each role requires strong communication, compassion, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. The best fit for you depends on the setting you want to work in and how hands-on or clinically involved you’d like your day-to-day to be. Understanding these distinctions can help you choose a program—and a path—that aligns with your goals.
Mental Health Technician Job Description & Overview
Mental health technicians are essential members of the care team, helping individuals with mental health conditions navigate daily life with stability, structure, and support. Their work is hands-on and deeply human-centered around building trust, maintaining safety, and reinforcing therapeutic goals. While responsibilities can vary by setting, here’s a general look at how their time is often spent:
Direct Patient Care – 40%
- Support patients with hygiene, meals, movement, and daily routines
- Engage in therapeutic activities or group sessions
- Build meaningful rapport and offer emotional support throughout the day
Observation & Documentation – 20%
- Monitor behavior, mood, and interactions
- Record observations accurately in patient charts or electronic systems
- Communicate changes to the clinical team
Safety & Environment Monitoring – 15%
- Perform routine safety checks and maintain a secure environment
De-escalate disruptive behavior and follow emergency protocols if needed
- Enforce facility rules and boundaries respectfully
Treatment Support – 15%
- Assist with implementing individual treatment or behavior plans
- Encourage participation in therapy or medication adherence
- Support patient goals through structured activities and conversations
Team Communication & Coordination – 10%
- Attend staff briefings or care plan meetings
- Report patient status to nurses, therapists, or supervisors
- Coordinate with other staff to ensure smooth transitions and coverage
Mental Health Technician Salary & Career Outlook
While compensation for mental health technicians can vary by location, experience, and employer, the demand for the role continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects to see a 13% growth for psychiatric technicians and aides from 2023 through 2033. In Texas, the need for behavioral health professionals has become urgent, with approximately 97% of the state’s counties wholly or partially designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas as of 2024.
Mental Health Technician Requirements & Education
Once you’ve decided that a behavioral health career could be the right fit, the next step is understanding what the path actually looks like. What kind of education do you need? Which qualifications matter to employers? And what’s required here in Texas? Whether you're exploring your first credential or considering how to build on past training, this section breaks down the key requirements.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
In Texas, mental health technician roles typically don’t require a license, but employers may look for candidates who bring a strong foundation of training and experience. Completing a certificate or degree program, or earning a professional certification like the Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT), are just a few of the routes you can take in building up your resume. This national credential is offered through the National Career Certification Board (NCCB) and verifies your core competencies in behavioral health care.
Other qualifications that an employer might require:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Formal education in behavioral health, addiction studies, or a related area
- Experience in a supervised care setting (like a clinical practicum or externship)
- Certifications in areas like CPR or crisis intervention (depending on the employer)
Even if licensure isn’t mandatory, training aligned with professional standards can make a difference—not only in your job prospects but in your ability to provide safe, effective care.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Mental Health Technician?
CHCP offers two flexible, online training options for aspiring mental health technicians. The Addiction Studies and Mental Health certificate program can typically be completed in under a year. Alternatively, the Addiction Studies and Mental Health Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree Completion program is also available for those looking to expand on their previous training. Depending on transferable credits, this degree can be completed in as little as 32 weeks.
An externship or clinical practicum—completed as part of your initial certificate—is required for Addiction Studies and Mental Health Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree program entry, allowing you to build on real-world experience. And while both CHCP programs are delivered online, you’ll be supported every step of the way by instructors with field experience and a team dedicated to your success.
Start Your Journey as a Mental Health Professional in Texas at CHCP
A career in mental health starts with action. Whether that means enrolling in your first training program or building on previous experience, CHCP offers online pathways that meet you where you are—and help you move forward. Explore your options and take the first step today by applying online.
