...The Role and Life of a Mental Health Counselor COUN 6100-13 Intro to Mental Health Counseling Component I: Narrative Summation of Interview Mrs. Washington-Williams was able to explain to me the difference from a mental health counselor and a social worker. Mental health counselors focus on interventions and preventions for their clients. Although social worker and mental health counselors have some similar things in common there are also some that are different when it comes to working with our clients. A normal day according to Mrs. Washington-Williams goes as her checking in on her clients throughout the day, having one-on-one counseling session, group counseling, and looking over the client goals to determine if the client has worked towards their goals and made progress. All counselors do struggle with ethical and legal issues; but they do keep in mind on can help and hurt them. Because of that she has to keep in mind that the client she is working has a great imagination. Some of the clients like to come up with stories and see if anything will be done. She did state that an investigation is and reviewed to see if the stories are true or false. Not all counselors go by theories and apply them in their practice but they still acknowledge them. When asked about theories she stated that due to every client is different and the treatment various; she do not use theories as often but when they are need she does the research and apply what...
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...Projections for Mental Health Counselors “Although network systems and data communications analyst is expected to be the fastest growing occupation, most of the other 20 fastest growing occupations are related to healthcare” (Sommers, 2007, p. 3). Upon researching the occupational projections for the years 2006-2022, and specifically projections for mental health counselors, I observed that the outlook was going to be favorable. Overall those in the professional and other related occupations should expect an increase in employment opportunities and new jobs openings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition website, “employment of mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2014). There are several elements that will affect the future employment of mental health counselors: a need for counselors for the ageing population and veterans, mandatory health care for individuals by law, and a growth in employment opportunities and new job openings. As the population in the United States ages because of the baby boomers (a massive explosion in births between the years 1946 and 1964) there is more need for professionals in the health care field. Unlike the past, it has also become very common place for individuals to seek mental health assistance and...
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...and must be a Mental Health Counseling Degree (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). As a counselor it is never certain who will walk through your door as a client and what their needs will be, so in the State of Florida it is mandatory that the coursework include classes in substance abuse and human sexuality, a three-hour class on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS), a two-hour class in domestic violence, and an eight hour laws and rules course from an approved provider in order to practice (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). For mental health licensure I, or any student seeking the position, must be enrolled in a graduate counseling program has “60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours of clinical and didactic instruction” to comply with the state, if any student decides to go to a school that is not CACREP-accredited “it is up to the student to provide enough substantial information to prove the experience learned meets the standards set by the State of Florida” (Florida Mental Health Professions). Should I or any student that wants to be a mental health counselor not receive a degree in the subject still has an opportunity to counseling in the State of Florida. In Florida, a counselor can be a person who “earned a master’s degree from a program related to the practice of mental health counseling that consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours” (Florida Mental Health Professions). Alongside the semester hours, those that did not study mental health counseling must...
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...Abstract The clinical mental health counseling approach has been described as a continuum with healthy individuals on one end and severe mentally ill individuals on the other; consequently, everyone can benefit from clinical mental health counseling. The client-counselor relationship is one in which the client is led to identify strengths and challenges, and develop skills with the goal of independent problem-solving, long-term benefits and future prevention. This paper seeks to explore these domains further. Clinical Roles and Approaches of the CMHC The clinical mental health counseling approach has been described as a continuum with healthy individuals on one end and severe mentally ill individuals on the other; consequently, everyone can benefit from clinical mental health counseling. According to Hersehson and Poser (1987), the client-counselor relationship is one in which the client is led to identify strengths and challenges, and develop skills with the goal of independent problem-solving, long-term benefits and future prevention. Clinical mental health counselors (CMHC) are trained to treat their clients holistically and to use diverse approaches to address wide-ranging issues, diverse cultural backgrounds and life styles, and community settings (Gladding & Newsome, 2011; Myers & Sweeney, 2007). According to Gladding & Newsome (2011) the CMHC will provide services in the following capacities: Mental health counseling, treating people with mental health issues including...
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...“As a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, I understand my rights as a counselor. I vow to be honest, fair, dependable and understanding of the rights of others. I respect the values, diversity and religious facilitations of whom I serve. I will be compassionate in my commitment to helping others and providing guidance; allowing clients to make an informative decision for themselves, relationships in their lives and their future. I expect to make a difference, where they lack the connection, ability or desire to break frustration, hate or anxiety and replace it with love, power and will. As I reflect on where I’ve been and my heritage, I pledge to look at their views, in correspondence to evidence-bases research, theories, and practicums. A dream that will allow me to console someone, provide professional support and treatment to a person who has sustained their discrepancy of their self-awareness, self-worth or identity. With the encouragement of prosperity, I promise to promote positivity and strengthen overpower a challenge. My word of honor, Is to treat others how I want to be treated and live a life that is substantial to others. With this, my goal is to...
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...Vicarious Trauma on Mental Health Counselors Secret Scott Walden University Dr. Johnathan Lent In March, 2011, those people living in Japan experienced the devastation and impact of an earthquake and tsunami which ended in the result of causing nearly 20, 000 deaths. The tragedy caused those individuals whom survived to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression amongst the Japanese. Not only did the Japanese population suffer but the effects and devastation was felt in other environments as well, such as Hawaii. Hawaii underwent a substantial amount of collateral damage which caused anxiety to run rampant amongst Hawaii’s population. This sort of traumatic situation and disaster would truly be the cause of mental disorders such as anxiety, PTSD and depression (Satcher, Friel, & Bell, 2007). Mental health counselors could experience indirect trauma from their clients they are treating that has experienced traumatic affects, this is known as vicarious trauma (Baird & Kracen, 2006; Harrison & Westwood, 2009). Vicarious trauma can be experienced though direct or indirect acquaintance from the traumatic occurrence. VT happens to only those counselors working specifically with trauma victims and survivors (McCann & Pearlman, 1990). VT has a unique progression. Vicarious trauma happens progressively (McCann & Pearlman, 1992; Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995a). This theory suggests those suffering from VT build their realism through the growth...
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...Professional Positions for Counselors Many people have career aspirations of helping others overcome or manage emotional, social or mental problems. Becoming a counselor is one way to provide assistance to troubled individuals. There are many types or categories of counselors. Therefore, it may be simpler to understand first what counselors do or what counseling is. Merriam-Webster applies the following concise definition to the term counseling: “Professional guidance of the individual by use of standard psychological methods such as collecting case-history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes. The counselor's goal is generally to orient the individual toward opportunities that can best guarantee fulfillment of his personal needs and aspirations. The counselor usually attempts to clarify the client's own thinking rather than to solve his problems. Professional counselors (such as educational guidance and career counselors) and counseling psychologists (such as marriage and bereavement counselors) are found in a wide variety of institutional settings and in private practice.” (Merriam-Webster on-line Disctionary, 2012, p. 1) Education – Master of Science in Counseling Most counseling positions have specific licensure and education requirements. A Master of Science degree in counseling can help an individual acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to help clients with a variety of psychological, social and emotional...
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...Ethics Paper: Individual or Group Therapy HSER 511 Liberty University Abstracts The paper researches the ethical issues faced in group counseling. It also shows a comparison of individual and group counseling. The paper discusses issue of confidentiality, and how it affects group counseling. Confidentiality is considered cornerstone to counseling (Kocet 2006). It is very important for the counselor to reinsure that the client understands confidentiality policies. When dealing with adolescents, confidentiality rules and regulations are the same as adults. Counselors are bound by the same rules and regulations to keep the client’s (the minor) records privileged, but in cases of immediate danger or harm to others the counselor can disclose information to the minor’s parent. I think that I was direct leader, and I utilize several of the qualifications and skills that I learned in the class. Ethics Paper: Individual or Group Therapy When seeking help, it is very difficult to decide what type of therapy to choose. Because we have different situations and problems, the decision to choose individual or group therapy could be a very hard one. Many clients choose to benefit from both individual and group therapy. Groups can be a valuable resource to clients and helping them work out their...
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...1 The Inner World of a Future Mental Health Counselor 2 Welcome, you are about to embark on a journey into my inner world. Along the way, you will discover the following: (1) what in my background helps me to think through and identify what is right and wrong, as well as what constitutes ethical professional behavior; (2) my ethical decision-making style. My unique style of ethical decision making which reflects my early and ongoing experiences with moral values and issues which has been influenced and shaped by my parents, relatives, peers and valued adults in my life such as teachers and mentors; (3) individuals that have most impressed me and serves as a role model for me; (4) and my current developmental status and how it has and will likely impact my work as a counselor. I therefore invite you to dive into my world and may your life never be the same. Growing up in a Christian environment, I was raised to have my “…perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:14) In short, I received moral values made up of strongly held beliefs based on the Bible, along with a conduct that conforms to those beliefs. Early on, as an adolescent, I began to take a close look at the Holy Scriptures and have come to appreciate that Bible’s counsel is based on...
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...Final Project: The Role and Life of a Mental Health Counselor Books, television, and movies are full of stories revealing the day-to-day realities of various professions. These stories provide a behind-the-scenes look at the often unknown stress, joy, and effort involved in being a doctor, law enforcement agent, or even a chef. What do you think the day-to-day life of a mental health counselor is like? What constitutes a typical day for a mental health counselor, or is there no such thing? For the Final Project in this course, you uncover the hidden realities of the daily life of a mental health counselor. The Final Project requires you to interview (in person) a licensed mental health counselor who works with a population in a setting that interests you. For example, if you are interested in working as an in-home counselor with children diagnosed with mood disorders, interview someone who does this work. You then apply the information from this course, as well as in an interview you conduct, to your understanding of what it means to be a mental health counselor. *Please note that it is NOT acceptable to interview a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, addictions specialist, school counselor, or other mental health provider for this assignment. Although the Final Project includes interview material, this is not the only component of this assignment. Please make sure to review the full project description below. The Final Project is a 7- to 10-page paper that...
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...Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling It seems that the more human development changes, the more there is a demand to understand the role of pharmaceuticals in daily life with regard to mental health. In the article, The Mental Heath Practitioner and psychopharmacology, "a growing challenge for mental health counselors is to understand the potential benefits and limitations of many different types of drugs" (Dickinson & Kaut, 2009 p. 204-205). Incorporating a thorough treatment plan, which might include the use of prescription drugs (Anderson & King, 2004). Recommending or Prescribing Medication It is imperative for today’s mental health counselors to understand their boundaries and roles when it comes to pharmacology and the patient. Having a clear and concise understanding of the benefits as well as the risk is an asset to the client, the prescribing professional, and the client (Anderson & King, 2004). Legal Limitation Counseling professionals that only have reached the master’s level of education do not possess the adequate training or knowledge to suggest medications to clients. This is why it is imperative for a licensed professional administer. A counselor may collaborate with a prescribing professional since he or she has an understanding of circumstances behind the recommendation. Ethical Limitation Consulting with clients as well as various medical professionals...
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...being used in conjunction with counseling, it is imperative that counselors are educated about these medications. Counselors need to understand the medications their clients are taking in order to better serve the client. Counselor's who are educated on phsychopharmaceuticals can assist clients with important information related to the medications they are taking such as possible side effects, interactions with other medications, and general information pertaining to the medication. Counselors may be faced with many dilemma's when it comes to psychopharmeceuticals and their clients. Counselor's do not and cannot prescribe psychopharmeceuticals for their client's thus necessitating the need for the client to see a psychiatrist or other doctor when there is an indication that psychopharmeceuticals would be beneficial in the treatment of the client. Foxhall (2008) points out that most patients spend considerably more time with their counselor than with the prescribing physician (p.1). One ethical delimma a counselor might face would be dealing with a client who is on a medication that the counselor feels is not working or is not the right medication for the client. Due to the nature of psychpharmeceuticals, there are a number of medications that treat a variety of different illnesses. Since the counselor spends considerably more time with the client than the prescribing physician, the counselor is in a better position to see, and discuss the medication with...
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...Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling Samantha Jackson Walden University Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling Kaut and Dicknson (2007) states “a growing challenge for mental health counselors is to understand the potential benefits and limitations of many different types of drugs “(.p204-205). Drugs are prescribed to have an effect on the brain and behavior of clients. Mental health counselors are advised to be trained in how psychotropic medications can benefit and be at risk for their clients and to develop a collaborative approach to treatment (Kaut & Anderson, 2004; King & Dickinson, 2007). While mental health counselors cannot prescribe medication, they can recommend medication and educated their clients about them. A mental health counselor must stay within legal and ethical boundaries, while doing what’s best for the client. Recommending or Prescribing Medication A mental health counselor has no legal right to prescribe, dispense or administer any medication. When recommending medication it is important for a mental health counselor to stay within ethical and legal boundaries, while working with prescribing doctors. When a mental health counselor is informed about pharmacological interventions it benefits the client, the counselor and the prescribing professional (King& Anderson, 2004). Legal Limitation Mental health counselors can recommend any medication that they are educated on. Legally a mental health counselor cannot prescribe...
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...Multicultural Awareness Mental Health Counseling After reviewing the results of my multicultural self-assessment scores, I have found that overall; I am very comfortable with myself and choices. In counseling, before understanding someone else you must first be able to understand yourself. Also the awareness of your own comfort range must be apparent. If it was not apparent, then how could you counsel someone else when you are uncomfortable with yourself? This self-assessment allowed me to realize factors that seemed to be unapparent before but, led me to see that they were important after all. “If you are lucky enough to be other, don’t ever change” I identified mostly with Jason Patton, PhD when he spoke about his first day at kindergarten, and he was made to feel other. What most got my attention was that he mentioned that he was an only child and spent a lot of time with adults, and was eager to be interacting the children his own age. I too was an only child and spent a lot of time with and adults. They adored me and made me feel loved, wanted and special. My first day at school was awful. The children looked at me as though I was an alien. I remember distinctly being called a chocolate girl, and then the comments about me being so tall began. From that point on I really did not enjoy school at all. I was afraid of being different. Being different meant that people might not like me. In my mind being called chocolate...
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...Outcomes and Accountability related to Clients, Counselors, and Third-party payers By law, mental health counselors are required to keep detailed records of their interventions and counseling sessions in order to keep their care records secure and receive third-party reimbursements (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). A counselor’s role is to make sure that the clients that they assist has the proper treatment plan assigned to them. If they are helping someone that is schizophrenic, then it is the counselor’s responsibility to refer them with the right medications to help them. The counselor is held accountable for their actions whether right or wrong, so they have to provide evidence proving that they are knowledgeable of their work. For the mental health profession, the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA) should be honored at all times in order for any counselor is able to keep their license to counsel. Most clients want to be able to trust their counselors because they are confiding their personal information to them in private. If a counselor is held accountable for their research or sessions, then there needs to be available research to back them up for integrity reasons. Outcomes, Accountability, Needs Assessment, and Program Evaluation related to stakeholders and the profession According to Erford (2010), the needs assessments are used to help professional counselors understand the needs of various sub-populations...
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