Mental health counselor

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A mental health counselor (MHC), or counselor (counsellor in British English), is a person who works with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. Such persons may help individuals deal with issues associated with addiction and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics distinguishes "Mental Health Counselors" from "Social Workers", "Psychiatrists", and "Psychologists". [1]

Contents

Duties

The legal definition of a counselor varies due to the different specializations within counseling. In their own jurisdictions, there are counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists. [2] In spite of such definitions, many mental health professionals reject the medical model (which assumes that clients are "disordered") in favor of broader viewpoints, such as those that emerged from systems psychology. [3]

Service users

MHCs work with individuals, couples, families, and groups to address and treat emotional and mental disorders and to promote mental health. Most mental health counselors in the U.S. work in outpatient and residential care centers, individual and family services, and local governments. [1] They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues, including depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, problems with self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, marital, or other relationship problems. Some career concerns include helping employees who have mental health conditions to manage their health condition whilst adhering to organizational demands to demonstrate performance and commitment to their work. [4]

MHCs also continue to play a growing role in the military mental health crisis, helping military personnel and their families deal with issues such as PTSD. [5] MHCs often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. Many mental health counselors look to help their clients have a concise whole body treatment plan that addresses all the needs of the client. In the United States, MHCs diagnose as well as treat mental illness, [6] though the scope of practice for mental health practitioners varies from state to state.

There are some mental health counselors who are able to prescribe medication. There are psychiatrists and mental health practitioners. [7] Recently, there have been a few states that have allowed licensed psychologists with additional training to be able to prescribe. [8] And there is a recent motion that is allowing interstate practice, meaning that counselors can use their license in other states than the one they received their license in. [9]

Regulation

United States

Licensing requirements can vary depending on which state a mental health counselor practices in. Across the United States, mental health counseling licensure is required to independently practice, but can be practiced without a license if under close supervision of a licensed practitioner. Licensing titles for mental health counselors vary from state to state: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and various forms of these titles may list differently per state statues. The title "Mental Health Counselor" (or variation thereof) is often a protected title and thus it may be a violation of state law for persons to hold themselves as such without a proper credential.

A licensed mental health counselor holds a minimum of a master's degree in counseling or another closely related field in mental health care. After obtaining a master's degree, mental health counselors complete two to three years (depending on various state statutes) of clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional. The qualifications for licensure are similar to those for marriage and family therapists and for clinical social workers. [10] Becoming a counselor and using it in daily life to help others to learn more about themselves is not a reason for someone to pursue a degree within this field. Ethics within this profession require the counselor to remain professional to be able to adequately treat patients. Remaining detached as the witness to a client's thought, feelings, and emotions can be a hard thing to do, but will ultimately reassure a patient that there are no judgement to what they will share. [11] Guiding a patient to understand themselves and their choices is also another aspect of this profession.

See also

Related Research Articles

Psychotherapy is the use of psychological methods, particularly when based on regular personal interaction, to help a person change behavior, increase happiness, and overcome problems. Psychotherapy aims to improve an individual's well-being and mental health, to resolve or mitigate troublesome behaviors, beliefs, compulsions, thoughts, or emotions, and to improve relationships and social skills. Numerous types of psychotherapy have been designed either for individual adults, families, or children and adolescents. Certain types of psychotherapy are considered evidence-based for treating some diagnosed mental disorders; other types have been criticized as pseudoscience.

Occupational therapists (OTs) are health care professionals specializing in occupational therapy and occupational science. OTs and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) use scientific bases and a holistic perspective to promote a person's ability to fulfill their daily routines and roles. OTs have training in the physical, psychological, and social aspects of human functioning deriving from an education grounded in anatomical and physiological concepts, and psychological perspectives. They enable individuals across the lifespan by optimizing their abilities to perform activities that are meaningful to them ("occupations"). Human occupations include activities of daily living, work/vocation, play, education, leisure, rest and sleep, and social participation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychologist</span> Professional who evaluates, diagnoses, treats and studies behavior and mental processes

A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and interpretation of how individuals relate to each other and to their environments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupational therapy</span> Healthcare profession

Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession that involves the use of assessment, intervention, consultation, and coaching to develop, recover, or maintain meaningful occupations of individuals, groups, or communities. The field of OT consists of health care practitioners trained and educated to support mental health and physical performance. Occupational therapists specialize in teaching, educating, and supporting participation in activities that occupy an individual's time. It is an independent health profession sometimes categorized as an allied health profession and consists of occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). OTs and OTAs have different roles, with OTs licensed to complete comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations. Both professionals work with people who want to improve their ability to participate in meaningful occupations.

A therapist is a person who offers any kinds of therapy. Therapists are trained professionals in the field of any types of services like psychologists, social workers, counselors, etc. They are helpful in counseling individuals for various mental and physical issues.

Clinical psychology is an integration of human science, behavioral science, theory, and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development. Central to its practice are psychological assessment, clinical formulation, and psychotherapy, although clinical psychologists also engage in research, teaching, consultation, forensic testimony, and program development and administration. In many countries, clinical psychology is a regulated mental health profession.

Counseling psychology is a psychological specialty that began with a focus on vocational counseling, but later moved its emphasis to adjustment counseling, and then expanded to cover all normal psychology and psychotherapy. There are many subcategories for counseling psychology, such as marriage and family counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, educational counseling, etc. In each setting, they are all required to follow the same guidelines.

Couples therapy attempts to improve romantic relationships and resolve interpersonal conflicts.

Online counseling or online therapy is a form of professional mental health counseling that is generally performed through the internet. Computer aided technologies are used by the trained professional counselors and individuals seeking counseling services to communicate rather than conventional face-to-face interactions. Online counseling is also referred to as teletherapy, e-therapy, cyber therapy, or web counseling. Services are typically offered via email, real-time chat, and video conferencing. Some clients use online counseling in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy, or nutritional counseling. An increasing number of clients are using online counseling as a replacement for office visits.

Licensed professional counselor (LPC) is a licensure for mental health professionals in some countries.

A mental health professional is a health care practitioner or social and human services provider who offers services for the purpose of improving an individual's mental health or to treat mental disorders. This broad category was developed as a name for community personnel who worked in the new community mental health agencies begun in the 1970s to assist individuals moving from state hospitals, to prevent admissions, and to provide support in homes, jobs, education, and community. These individuals were the forefront brigade to develop the community programs, which today may be referred to by names such as supported housing, psychiatric rehabilitation, supported or transitional employment, sheltered workshops, supported education, daily living skills, affirmative industries, dual diagnosis treatment, individual and family psychoeducation, adult day care, foster care, family services and mental health counseling.

A licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) is a professional who has been qualified to provide psychotherapy and other counselling services. LCPCs are trained to work with individuals, families, and groups to treat mental, behavioural and emotional problems and disorders. The main goal of LCPCs is to use counselling strategies to help people live a more satisfying life, which typically involves identifying a goal and finding potential solutions.

Experience Focussed Counselling (EFC) is a normalising, non-pathologizing approach to counselling or psychosocial support/accompaniment aimed particularly, but not exclusively, at persons who may be distressed by experiences such as hearing voices aka auditory hallucinations, visions or other phenomena which are commonly associated with diagnoses such as schizophrenia and other mental disorders.(Schnackenberg & Burr, 2017)

A psychiatric assessment, or psychological screening, is the process of gathering information about a person within a psychiatric service, with the purpose of making a diagnosis. The assessment is usually the first stage of a treatment process, but psychiatric assessments may also be used for various legal purposes. The assessment includes social and biographical information, direct observations, and data from specific psychological tests. It is typically carried out by a psychiatrist, but it can be a multi-disciplinary process involving nurses, psychologists, occupational therapist, social workers, and licensed professional counselors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre</span> Canadian drug rehabilitation centre

The Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre, or AARC, is a drug rehabilitation centre for adolescents and family members located in Calgary, Alberta. AARC specializes in treating young people suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism, and takes in clients who have been thought of as being too far-gone for recovery. The AARC program is a multifaceted drug treatment program that uses twelve-step recovery processes, peer counselling, family and group therapy. A survey conducted by AARC found they had an 80% success rate, and that former addicts can permanently abstain from using drugs or alcohol following treatment at the centre. Another study found that the "AARC program is a unique model for comprehensive, long-term adolescent substance use treatment with a high rate of treatment completion (80.5%)."

Family therapy is a branch of psychotherapy focused on families and couples in intimate relationships to nurture change and development. It tends to view change in terms of the systems of interaction between family members.

Clinical mental health counseling is a healthcare profession addressing issues such as substance abuse, addiction, relational problems, stress management, as well as more serious conditions such as suicidal ideation and acute behavioral disorders. Practitioners may also assist with occupational growth in neurodivergent populations and behavioral and educational development. Clinical mental health (CMH) counselors include psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health technicians, marriage counselors, social workers, and family therapists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secular Therapy Project</span>

The Secular Therapy Project, sometimes abbreviated to STP, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2012 by Dr. Darrel Ray as part of its parent project, Recovering from Religion.

Many health organizations around the world have denounced and criticized sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts. National health organizations in the United States have announced that there has been no scientific demonstration of conversion therapy's efficacy in the last forty years. They find that conversion therapy is ineffective, risky and can be harmful. Anecdotal claims of cures are counterbalanced by assertions of harm, and the American Psychiatric Association, for example, cautions ethical practitioners under the Hippocratic oath to do no harm and to refrain from attempts at conversion therapy.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 "21-1014 Mental Health Counselors". Occupational Employment Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1 April 2014. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014. Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. Excludes "Social Workers" (21-1021 through 21-1029), "Psychiatrists" (29-1066), and "Psychologists" (19-3031 through 19-3039).
  2. ↑ "Types of Mental Health Professionals". Mental Health America. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-03. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
  4. ↑ Elraz, H. (2018). Identity, mental health and work: How employees with mental health conditions recount stigma and the pejorative discourse of mental illness. Human Relations, 71(5), 722-741. doi : 10.1177/0018726717716752
  5. ↑ "Mental Health Counseling Careers". Antioch University. Archived from the original on Feb 4, 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition". United States Bureau of Labor Statistics . December 18, 2007. Archived from the original on Aug 30, 2009.
  7. ↑ "What Does a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Do?". TEACH.com. July 2022. Archived from the original on Jun 1, 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  8. ↑ DeAngelis, Tori (Fall 2017). "Prescriptive authority: renewed action in the states" (PDF). Good Practice. APA Services. Archived (PDF) from the original on Aug 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  9. ↑ Clay, Rebecca A. (July 2, 2021). "PSYPACT: 26 states have now passed laws allowing interstate practice". APA Services. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  10. ↑ "Facts About Clinical Mental Health Counselors". American Mental Health Counselors Association. Archived from the original on 2014-11-03. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  11. ↑ Koocher, Gerald P.; Keith-Spiegel, Patricia (2008). Ethics in psychology and the mental health professions: Standards and cases (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

General sources

  • Brooks, D.K.; Weikel, W.J. (1996). "Mental health counseling: The first twenty years". In Weikel, W.J.; Palmo, A.J. (eds.). Foundations of mental health counseling (2nd ed.). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. pp. 5–29. ISBN   0-398-06669-8. OCLC   468776809.
  • Hershenson, D.B.; Strein, W. (1991). "Toward a mentally healthy curriculum for mental health counselor education". Journal of Mental Health Counseling. 13: 247–252.
  • Palmo, A.J.; Shosh, M.J.; Weikel, W.J. (2001). "The independent practice of mental health counseling: past, present, and future". In Locke, D.C.; Myers, J.E.; Herr, E.L. (eds.). The handbook of counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. pp. 653–667. ISBN   1-4522-6259-4. OCLC   299074204.
  • Seiler, G.; Brooks, D.; Beck, E.S. (1987). "Training Standards for Mental Health Counselors". Journal of Mental Health Counseling. 9 (4): 199–209.
  • Smith, H.B.; Weikel, W.J. (2006). "Mental health counseling: The first thirty years and beyond". In Palmo, A.J.; Weikel, W.J.; Borsos, D.P. (eds.). Foundations of mental health counseling (3rd ed.). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. pp. 5–29. ISBN   0-398-07604-9. OCLC   300305939.
  • Prepared June 2008 by William J. Weikel. Ph.D., Howard Smith, Ed.D., Artis J. Palmo, Ph.D., and Edward Beck, Ed.D.[ full citation needed ]
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