CAREER GOALS

Career Goals: Majoring In Psychology & Human Services

Career Goals: Majoring In Psychology & Human Services

Introduction

A mental health counselor is a trained professional that counsels families, individuals, groups and couples to promote optimal mental health and well-being. Some of the many issues that they help people deal with are marital problems, stress management, substance abuse, addictions, parenting problems, family problems, suicidal ideation, and problems with self-esteem. They help people address aging problems or emotional and mental health issues. Often working with a group, they counsel individuals and their families dealing with drug or alcohol addictions. The counselor helps their clients prevent and rectify conflicts or problems.

Analysis

A mental health counselor gets his or her information through observations, interviews and tests so they can decide the best course of action to help their client. Some of the other professionals they work closely with when necessary are psychologists, family and marriage workers, psychiatric nurses, school counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers. Many counselors choose to specialize in specific areas or with certain age groups like substance abuse or teenagers (Burnard, 1999).

A mental health counselor often helps their clients make positive choices and changes due to the decisions and insights they help facilitate. Many counselors work in hospitals with psychiatric patients or with mentally ill adults in continued day treatment programs. Some choose private practice or practice in counseling centers, government agencies, corporations and youth homes. They usually work in pleasant and comfortable surroundings, working a standard workweek. Some counselors are available weekends or evenings for the convenience and needs of their clients. Mental health counselors are an extremely valuable part of the healthcare system (Tschudin, 1991).

Work Activities

Mental health counselors help people work through problems in their lives and improve their overall mental health. They counsel patients with problems associated with most areas of life, including family, career, or school, as well as poor self-esteem, abuse, suicidal tendencies, drug and alcohol addiction, or stress. Patients may vary in age from small children to the elderly (Rogers, 1989).

Scheduling client appointments including at-home, residential or even visits in hospitals or treatment facilities.

Completing risk assessments or mental health evalutations on clients as required.

Talking and counseling with clients to help them make informed decisions about themselves, their lives and even relationships and future goals.

Providing consistent care and treatment programs for clients by providing required documentation and case records to other professionals involved with the clients.

Keeping accurate client records, files and documentation for the release of information to other treatment professionals.

Meeting and planning the most effective treatment for the patient with other professionals in the field.

Work Environment

Mental health counselors are employed in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, correctional institutions, mental health clinics, schools and universities, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, halfway houses, and residential care facilities. They may work long, irregular hours including nights and weekends (Reynolds & Scott, 1999).

Education

Students interested in a career in mental health counseling should take high school courses in biology, ...