How to Become a Mental Health Counselor

 

 

Whether you want to help others overcome depression, stress, or anxiety, or you are simply looking for a career that can enhance your overall health, mental health counseling is a great option. As a licensed professional, you can work in a wide variety of settings, including inpatient or outpatient programs, private practices, or community mental health clinics. There are many ways to become a mental health counselor, but before you begin, you should determine your state's licensing requirements. Click here to work with the Children's Mental Health.

 

In most states, you will need to complete a master's degree from an accredited program. The length of the program can vary, but in general, students are required to complete at least 48 semester hours of graduate work. You can also earn a doctorate in the field to increase your earning potential. You will have to pass a national exam to become certified in the field, and you may need to take specific coursework to qualify for your degree.

 

Most counselors use a mix of approaches, but most practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). However, a counselor's choice of approach is based on their preference. A counselor can also integrate various therapies, such as thought and behavior therapy.

 

Most licensed mental health counselors also have to complete a certain amount of continuing education. This allows them to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and information. In addition, continuing education courses allow counselors to sharpen their skills and explore new ideas. View here to read more about Childrens Mental Health Services.

 

In some states, you may be required to take a state-specific examination. For example, in New York, you must earn a master's degree in counseling and pass the New York State Board for Mental Health Counselors' exam. In addition, you will need to have a supervised internship and have 3,000 hours of post-graduation clinical experience in a mental health counseling licensed organization.

 

Depending on your state's laws, you may also be required to have a national certification. Some states require the NCC, while others have a voluntary system. In most cases, the National Board for Certified Counselors' (NBCC) National Counselor Examination is the standard, but the name may differ from state to state.

 

Throughout their careers, counselors must continue to take a variety of continuing education courses to stay up-to-date. This will include topics like psychology, human development, and psychopathology. You will also need to learn how to apply current diagnostic tools and case conceptualization. In addition, you must promote effective strategies for client advocacy.

 

Ultimately, a mental health counselor's success depends on their ability to communicate effectively, have strong critical thinking skills, and have outstanding people skills. You should also feel comfortable with your counselor. This is especially important if you are dealing with a mental health problem. If you are unsure of your counselor's approach, ask questions and explain your concerns. You can also request copies of your records, but you will need to pay a fee for this.

 

In most cases, the counseling session will be short-term. The counselor will evaluate your mental and physical states and develop a treatment plan that will address your needs. During this process, you will meet with your counselor once a week or twice a month. Your counselor will also encourage healthy behaviors and improve your resilience. Here is a post with a general information about this topic, check it out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counseling_psychology.