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.

Regulation for mental health counselors usually consists of state or local regulatory authorities' criteria for licensure. These rules set forth requirements for education, supervised clinical practice, and competency tests. Compliance guarantees that professionals uphold the welfare of their clients and adhere to professional norms. [12]

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.

<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.

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, counsellors, 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 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 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.

Telephone counseling refers to any type of psychological service performed over the telephone. Telephone counseling ranges from individual, couple or group psychotherapy with a professional therapist to psychological first aid provided by para-professional counselors. In-person therapists often advise clients to make use of telephone crisis counseling to provide the client with an avenue to obtain support outside of therapy if they cannot be reached in an emergency or at the conclusion of a therapeutic relationship.

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.

The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates (NBCC) is an international certifying organization for professional counselors in the United States. It is an independent, not-for-profit credentialing organization based in Greensboro, North Carolina. The purpose of the organization is to establish and monitor a national certification system for professional counselors, to identify certified counselors, and to maintain a register of them. NBCC also certifies Coaches through its affiliate Center for Credentialing and Education. Individuals may earn the Board Certified Coach credential through third party programs, including online programs in Life Coaching and Psychosynthesis Coaching.

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) is a non-profit 501(c) professional organization with approximately 30,000 members dedicated to preserving the ethical standards of Marriage and Family Therapists in California. The association was founded in 1964 by Dr. Dominick Amorelli, Dr. Elsie V. King, Dr. George L. McGhee, Allan M. Myerson, and Dr. Paul A. Verdier.

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.

Certified Sex Therapists (CST) have graduate degrees in a clinical mental health field and have obtained advanced training in sex therapy from a credentialed training body, resulting in certification. One of the largest such bodies is the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).

A licensed professional counselor associate (LPCA) is a provisionally licensed professional counselor who has completed a master’s level counseling program, passed necessary national examinations, and is currently working toward full licensure by completing a designated amount of supervised clinical counseling hours. Other common titles for this provisional license are licensed associate counselor (LAC), licensed associate professional counselor (LAPC), limited license professional counselor (LLPC), and licensed professional counselor – intern (LPC-I). Titles vary by state.

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.

Clinical social work is a specialty within the broader profession of social work. The American Board of Clinical Social Work (ABCSW) defines clinical social work as "a healthcare profession based on theories and methods of prevention and treatment in providing mental-health/healthcare services, with special focus on behavioral and bio-psychosocial problems and disorders". The National Association of Social Workers defines clinical social work as "a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances. Individual, group and family therapy are common treatment modalities". Clinical social work applies social work theory and knowledge drawn from human biology, the social sciences, and the behavioral sciences.

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.
  12. "Therapy and counseling - Unconditional Positive Regard". 22 March 2024.

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 ]