Counseling

Section 167.902 RSMo, requires that the department of economic development shall annually identify occupations in which a critical need or shortage of trained personnel exists in the labor markets in this state.  Additionally, each high school shall provide its students with the information before November first of every school year. 

The following occupations were identified using the Long Term Occupational Projections 2020-2030 for Missouri. The data was extracted from the MERIC website. The Long-term Projections (Statewide-MO All Occupations) information was used to determine the high-demand occupations list. Only occupations receiving a MERIC grade of "A" or "B" were considered for this list. Occupations requiring less than a high school diploma and listed as only short-term on-the-job training were not eligible. The level of formal educational attainment required, as identified through MERIC data, may not exceed an associate degree to be listed as high-demand.

High-Demand Occupations List:

1. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
2. Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
3. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
4. Architectural and Civil Drafters
5. Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
6. Automotive Body and Related Repairers
7. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
8. Billing and Posting Clerks
9. Brickmasons and Blockmasons
10. Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
11. Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
12. Calibration and Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Except Drafters)
13. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
14. Cargo and Freight Agents
15. Carpenters
16. Chefs and Head Cooks
17. Chemical Technicians
18. Childcare Workers
19. Civil Engineering Technicians
20. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
21. Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
22. Commercial Pilots
23. Community Health Workers
24. Computer Network Support Specialists
25. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
26. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
27. Computer Systems Analysts
28. Computer User Support Specialists
29. Construction and Building Inspectors
30. Construction Laborers
31. Cooks (Fast Food)
32. Cooks (Short Order)
33. Customer Service Representatives
34. Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (Metal and Plastic)
35. Dental Assistants
36. Dental Hygienists
37. Dental Laboratory Technicians
38. Detectives and Criminal Investigators
39. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
40. Dispatchers (Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance)
41. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians
42. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
43. Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers (Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers)
44. Electricians
45. Electro-Mechanical Technicians
46. Elevator Installers and Repairers
47. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
48. Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators (Surface Mining)
49. Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
50. Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

(List continues for 150 occupations. Highlights denote new occupations added for FY 2025; however, there were no new additions this year.)

Are you in or someone you care about in crisis? Help is available! 

Speak with someone today. Dial 988 for the Missouri Suicide Lifeline. At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

 

Resource Directory

Burrell Behavioral Health

Address: 3401 Berrywood Drive, Ste. 300, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573-777-8300
Website: www.burrellcenter.com

• Ages Served: 3–100
• Hours: Morning, Afternoon, Evening
• Payment Options: Medicaid, Private Insurance, Sliding Scale
• Services Provided: Individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy
• Specialties: Therapists available to address all areas
• Other: Walk-in Clinic available Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Assessments conducted to determine needs; appointments set up afterward.

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Compass Health

Address: 3501 Berrywood Dr., Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: 573-449-2581
Website: compasshealthnetwork.org

• Ages Served: 3–100
• Hours: Morning, Afternoon, Evening
• Payment Options: Medicaid, Private Insurance, Sliding Scale
• Services Provided: Individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy
• Specialties: Trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, teen concerns, identity issues, and more

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Counseling Associates

Address: 401 N. Keene St., Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573-874-8818
Website: comocounselingassociates.com

• Ages Served: 4–99
• Hours: Morning, Afternoon, Evening
• Payment Options: Private Insurance, Medicaid, Self-Pay
• Services Provided: Individual therapy, family therapy
• Specialties: Trauma, anxiety, depression, teen concerns, child abuse/neglect

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Heriford House

Address: 1804 Heriford Rd, Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: 573-639-1094
Website: thehhouse.org

• Ages Served: Children and families
• Hours: Afternoon, Evening, Saturday
• Payment Options: Private Insurance, Medicaid, Sliding Scale, Self-Pay
• Services Provided: Individual and family therapy, diverse therapists/interns specializing in working with minorities
• Specialties: Trauma, anxiety, depression, problematic behaviors

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Family Access Center of Excellence (FACE)

Address: 105 E. Ash Street, Ste. 100, Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 573-771-3223
Website: faceofboonecounty.org

• Ages Served: Boone County residents ages 0–19
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
• Payment Options: Sliding Scale, Self-Pay
• Services Provided: Clinical case management, linking families to providers based on needs and goals

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NAVIG8 Adolescent Treatment Program

Address: 3501 Berrywood Drive, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 844-853-8937
Website: compasshealthnetwork.org

• Ages Served: 12–17
• Services Provided: Support for adolescents and families impacted by substance use. The program focuses on individual needs, family relationships, academic performance, communication, and recovery.

Other Community Mental Health Supports:

• Aspire Counseling: 573-328-2288
• Boone County Family Resources: 573-874-1995
• Brave Counseling & Psychiatry: 573-825-6441
• Centerpointe Hospital
  • Phone: Toll-free: 855-623-7016 | Local: 573-615-2001
  • Services: Behavioral health treatment for adolescents, free assessments (inpatient and outpatient)
• Columbia Psychology Healing Center LLC: 573-818-7010
• Human Dynamics: 573-446-6290
• Kindred Collective: 573-340-5145
• Lawrence, Oliver, and Associates LLC: 573-214-0436
• Luna Therapy Group: 573-340-5145
• Mayer, Flanagan, Scott, Tyler & Associates: 573-443-1177
• Missouri Crisis Line
  • Phone: 573-445-5035 | Toll-free: 888-761-4357 (V/TTY)
  • Text: HAND to 839863
• Missouri Psychiatric Center (MUPC) Hospital: 573-884-1300
  • Services: Assessment for suicide/homicide ideation and acute mental health needs
• MU Bridge Program
  • Phone: 573-882-3125
  • Services: Free psychological evaluation and follow-up for CPS students (referrals can be made by counselors)
• MU Psychological Services Clinic: 573-882-2254
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Oak Center for DBT & Counseling Services: 573-442-7232
• Providence Counseling Center: 573-777-8775
• The Counseling Hub: 573-586-3204
• Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders: 573-884-6052

Additional Community Resources:

• Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA): 573-443-8706
• Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-3738
• City of Columbia-C.A.R.E.: 573-874-6300
• Columbia Housing Authority: 573-443-2556
• Columbia/Boone County Public Health: 573-874-7384
• Lois Bryant House (Women & Children): 573-445-9411
• Love Columbia (includes Love Inc.): 573-256-7662
• Lutheran Family and Children’s Services: 573-815-9955
• Rainbow House: 573-474-6600
• The Food Bank of Central Missouri: 573-874-7848
• The Salvation Army-Harbor House: 573-442-1984
• The Salvation Army: 573-442-3229
• The Wardrobe: 573-442-3260
• True North of Columbia: 573-875-1370
• Voluntary Action Center (VAC): 573-874-2273

Attending college calls for careful thought and planning. What kind of career do you want to pursue? What type of education will you need? How much will college cost, and how will you pay for it? What resources are there to help you succeed and find meaningful employment? 

Journey to College can help you find answers about earning a degree or certificate.