What Is A Mental Health Counselor?
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If you're considering making an appointment with a guidance counselor, it can be beneficial to know what their job entails and how to find one near you.
The role of a mental health counselor
A licensed professional counselor is a mental health counselor providing guidance, counseling, and mental health support to clients experiencing a vast range of concerns, including mental health conditions, behavioral disorders, distressing symptoms, stress, life changes, and relationship concerns, and They have at least a master's degree in clinical counseling, psychology, or a related area. Although counselors work to help people with their mental health, they can offer advice for more than mental illness. Many counselors offer career, school, and life guidance, as well as family services to improve relationships.
Becoming a licensed professional mental health counselor
Counselors differ from coaches and other mental health professionals offering advice due to their professional training. They are required to obtain a master's degree or higher, a certain number of clinical hours of additional training, and a state license, which requires a licensing exam. Licensed professional counselors must keep up on continued education courses to ensure they receive the most accurate and up-to-date research. After obtaining a master’s degree and a license, some counselors enter non-public practice.
Aside from a thorough academic understanding of mental health challenges, counselors must uphold an ethical code. Many follow the official American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethics or the American Psychological Association (APA) version. These licensed professionals are trained not to allow personal bias to impact how they treat clients.
Ways that a mental health counselor can make a difference
Below are a couple of the duties and responsibilities of a mental health counselor.
Separating self from career
Professional counselors are trained not to allow their personal beliefs to affect their relationships with their clients negatively. Instead, they offer bias-free professional help as the client meets their goals. For this reason, licensed counselors may not give opinions or talk about their personal lives. Instead, they might consider how a mental health counselor can help them make informed decisions.
If an ethical issue arises, the professional may monitor clients and pay attention to how their personal beliefs affect the client's goals. In some cases, counselors may choose to end the therapeutic relationship if they believe it might negatively impact the client's mental health progress.
Advocating for their clients
Mental health professionals often work as advocates for their clients. For example, a client might experience injustice or a challenging situation requiring support. In these incidences, their professional clinical counselor can advocate for their needs, discuss their concerns, and help them find other resources and appropriate care.
With a legal release form, counselors can communicate with clients’ other providers to develop treatment plans that enhance overall wellness. They might also refer clients to other treatments. At the same time, counselors help their clients learn how to advocate for themselves. If they struggle to make decisions, form plans, or ensure success, the counselor can teach them coping mechanisms and help them form long-term plans.
Types of mental health counselors
There are various types of health counselors, including the following:
- LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- LCMHC: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- MFCC: Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor
- CADC: Certified Alcohol And Drug Counselor
- CAC: Certified Addiction Counselor
You can also find school guidance counselors, career counselors, and counselors working in a specialty like depression or anxiety. School counselors often work in K-12 schools or universities and may offer college application guidance, bullying support, and academic guidance. A career counselor may help clients apply for jobs, take aptitude tests, or learn their professional strengths. Family therapists may help individuals and couples navigate complex family dynamics and experiences.
According to the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHC), clinical mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They diagnose mental health conditions and combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change, addressing issues such as eating disorders, panic disorder, personality disorders, and substance use disorder.
Therapists, counselors, and licensed clinical social workers are trained to do clinical work with diverse populations. In addition, there are various specialties mental health counselors can consider. For example, a licensed marriage and family therapist can assist clients seeking relationship guidance. Counselors can also practice various talk therapy modalities, including popular forms of treatment like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or trauma-informed counseling.
When looking for a mental health counselor, it can be beneficial to note that psychiatrists or medical doctors are the only type of mental health provider who can prescribe medication management and monitoring services to clients. Some counselors may offer diagnoses, while others might not. Often, official psychological testing is done by a psychologist or psychiatrist with a doctorate.
Exploring options with a mental health professional
There are various options available to those who wish to seek professional help from a mental health counselor. For example, you can ask your doctor for a referral, make an appointment at a local mental health clinic, search for counselors in one-on-one practice, or ask friends and family for references. However, in-person counseling can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful for some people. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) also recommends considering online counseling if you're unsure about visiting a mental health counselor in person.
If you're interested in speaking with a talk therapist online, many platforms are available, including BetterHelp for individuals and Regain for couples. Both platforms offer over 30,000 therapist options, with counselors specializing in various mental health concerns and types of therapy.
Takeaway
What is the difference between a mental health counselor and a therapist?
The terms “counselor” and “therapist” are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings.
Typically, a mental health counselor will work on specific, short-term challenges. For example, counselors may support clients experiencing crisis situations, like a natural disaster or death in the family. Therapists, on the other hand, usually help clients address more enduring mental health issues, such as a mood or behavioral disorder.
Though counselors and therapists may focus on different mental health services, both types of professionals must achieve strict education, training, and licensure requirements.
Should I see a mental health counselor or therapist?
Whether you should see a mental health counselor or a therapist will vary depending on your challenges and goals. For example:
- If you’re experiencing a short-term challenge or stressor, working with a licensed professional clinical counselor may be best. These professionals provide support for short-term mental health problems, like grief or work-related stress.
- Therapists are often recommended if you want to address issues with longer-term impacts, such as substance abuse, depressive disorders, or ADHD. There are many types of therapists, like licensed marriage and family therapists, who have specialized training to address the challenges you face.
Note: The term “counselor” or “therapist” may not be a protected title in your state. Check your provider's licensing information to ensure they’re in adherence with licensing requirements.
Is mental health counseling a valuable career?
Mental health providers serve an essential role for the well being of their communities. On a personal level, many mental health counselors and therapists find this career path highly rewarding and meaningful.
Mental health counseling is in high demand, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) stating in a recent press release that there are not enough behavioral health professionals available to meet demand. This makes counseling a highly valuable career in terms of job prospects.
Is substance abuse counseling a stressful job?
Working in the mental health field can be stressful, regardless of the specific populations one works with. Substance use disorder counseling can be a very rewarding career, but it can be emotionally demanding and put providers at risk of burnout.
What skills does a mental health counselor need?
A mental health counselor should have strong interpersonal skills such as:
- Empathy and compassion
- Conflict resolution
- Problem-solving
- Self-awareness
- Patience
- Clear communication
- Active listening
- Cultural competence
- Healthy boundaries
In addition to these skills, therapists and counselors must possess a strong grasp of many therapeutic techniques.
Where do LPCs make the most money?
According to Zippia, licensed professional counselors have the highest average salary in Maine, followed by Washington state, Arizona, and Oregon.
What is the difference between a mental health counselor and a psychologist?
Here are a few of the key differences between psychologists and counselors:
- Education: Most mental health counselors obtain a master’s degree in psychology. Psychologists must obtain a Ph.D., which is research-focused, or Psy.D., which is focused on clinical practice.
- Assessment of mental disorders: Diagnostic and assessment tools may differ between psychologists and counselors.
- Treatment approach: While counselor treatment works for many, psychologists may be necessary to treat complex conditions or individuals whose conditions are treatment-resistant.
If you’re going through a stressful period or navigating a significant life change, a counselor may be the best fit. But, if you’re navigating more complex issues, such as a mental disorder or co-occurring mental health challenges, a psychologist could be more helpful.
What is an example of mental health counseling?
Here are a few examples of mental health counseling:
- Talking about your divorce with a counselor
- Seeing a social worker to discuss parenting stress and community resources
- Working with a cognitive behavioral therapist to address social anxiety
- Seeing a couples counselor with your partner to build trust after infidelity
- Attending group therapy for substance use recovery
There are many mental and physical health challenges that therapists and counselors can help with.
What is another name for mental health counselors?
Therapists and mental health counselors vary in title due to licensure differences. Here are a few types of therapists and counselors you might encounter:
- Licensed professional counselors: These counselors must obtain a relevant master’s degree and complete licensure requirements in their state.
- Licensed clinical social workers: Social workers are trained to help clients while also connecting them with social services, such as housing assistance and healthcare providers.
- Psychologists: These professionals often diagnose complex disorders and create a treatment plan to help clients achieve mental health goals.
- Licensed marriage and family therapists: These therapists often specialize in issues that affect couples and families, though they may work on individual issues, too.
- Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who go to medical school and specialize in the treatment of mental disorders. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist for in-patient or outpatient mental health care.
Therapists may work in a wide range of settings, holding sessions with individuals, couples, or support groups in hospitals, schools, outpatient settings, or independent practice. Mental health professionals typically obtain graduate education, with the 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook finding that 83.7% of mental health counselors held at least a master’s degree.
What are the main duties of a mental health counselor?
The main duties of a mental health counselor are to:
- Provide mental health education
- Assess client’s mental health
- Create individualized treatment plans
- Improve daily functioning
- Strengthen quality of life and mental well being
- Help clients achieve mental health goals
A licensed clinical mental health counselor is often required to follow an oath, pledging to improve the wellbeing of their clients, maintain professional standards, respect individuals, and upload all legal and ethical standards of the profession.
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