Types of counseling

There are different counselors, such as a child counselor, school counselor, family counselor, camp counselor, marriage counselor, substance abuse counselor, and others. A mental health counselor is among them as well.

mental health counselor is a therapist who helps people struggling through a wide range of different mental and emotional issues, such as abusing, family, parenting, and marriage problems, and who promotes people’s emotional wellness.

Mental health counselor job description

Mental health counselor, who is trained and licensed, can treat clients who have emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric disorders. This kind of therapist might work in association with psychologists and psychiatrists, and also direct patients to these specialists when it is needed. Counseling sessions can be different: eye-to-eye, group therapy, or sessions comprising family member.

A mental health counselor’s responsibilities vary, but usually include the next:

– provide different ambulant mental health services for fast patient’s recovery;

– hold consultation and control individual, group, and family therapies;

– develop a plan of services and keep reviews as needed throughout treatment;

– provide mental health assessments, counseling, referrals, and intervention services;

– complete and maintain documentation that is required by the government.

A mental health counselor faces not only treating routine problems but also with severe mental health illnesses.

What counselor degree do I need?

To become a mental health counselor, you need to:

1) Complete a Bachelor’s Degree;

2) Complete a Master’s Degree in Counseling;

3) Take the National Counselor Exam;

4) Complete training and internship;

5) Decide what the sphere of specialization you want to work in;

6) Earn a Doctoral Degree;

7) Become a licensed and certified therapist.

A good educational background is imperative when you decide to become a mental health counselor. You need to have an in-depth mind knowledge, how it works, and the issues that may affect it. Good understanding of human development is also essential.

The majority of future mental health counselors, usually start with earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology or counseling. It is also required in many states that future mental health counselors should have advanced degrees, for example, a master’s degree in counseling. Clinical experience is also required before becoming a licensed mental health counselor.

Your education will last even after you have become a licensed and certified mental health counselor. If you choose to continue a mental health counseling career, it is vital to participate in continuing education programs or workshops to maintain abreast of any essential developments in this field. To investigate possible counselor degree programs, visit psychologydegreeguide.org and choose the most suitable one. To select the best schools for a graduate degree in counseling, visit bestcounselingdegrees.net.

How to become a licensed therapist?

The requirements to become a licensed therapist are different in each state. However, there are some common of them to apply. You will have to complete a master’s degree, a specific number of counseling hours, and a passing score on either the National Certified Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCE). More information about licensing requirements in each state available on the website of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

How to become a master in mental health counseling?

Masters in mental health counseling have the necessary skills and knowledge to diagnose and treat patients having mental diseases or various kinds of disorders. A master’s degree also guarantees the state getting licensure and ensures that a graduate understands ethical responsibilities. Read about the best mental health counseling programs, and choose a school and graduate program that fulfill your career goals.

What is online mental health counseling?

Online mental health counseling involves consulting with a specialist in the field of mental health (also known as a virtual counselor), but online, using phone, chat, video, email, audio, or text messages.

This kind of counseling is considered a cost-effective and highly accessible method of providing necessary advice, as you do not need to go anywhere, choose the appropriate time for your consultation, and have many other benefits.

Mental health therapy types

Talking to a mental health counselor might help you deal with thoughts, stresses, goals, fails, and so on and find the solution to your problems. For many, talking to a person whom you do not know about personal issues can be tough, while for others, it is much easier than, for example, talking to a friend. But in both variants, it might help you overcome your life problems. It can also bring you an emotional release and give you a sense of really being heard, understood, and supported.

Mental health therapy might help you:

– feel stronger in overcoming challenges;

– heal the wound from the past;

– develop relationship skills;

– set your goals;

– improve your self-confidence;

– cope with symptoms;

– handle emotions, such as fear, sadness or even anger;

– strengthen your problem-solving skills, and so on.

There are some common types of mental health therapy:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)  has two main aspects. The first one, a cognitive part, is responsible for developing helpful faith about your life. The second one, a behavioral part, helps to learn to take reasonable actions and decisions. It is often used for depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, and many other conditions.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is based mainly on improving relationships and helping people express emotions healthily. This approach is often used for various kinds of depression.

Family therapy  is usually used to help family members communicate, handling conflicts, and dealing with problems.

Psychodynamic therapy provides people with developing an excellent understanding of their unconscious emotions and impulses that may affect their thoughts and deeds.

Art therapy is based on activities, such as dancing, drawing, and other art forms that help express emotions and promote treatment.

Mental health careers: what mental health counselor jobs are available?

You will have many opportunities to build an excellent career if you are holding a degree in the mental health or counseling fields. Licensing and educational requirements depend on what type of position you are interested in. Still, all mental health careers are deeply rewarding for those guided by a desire to help others.

Here are the most widespread mental health careers:

1) Clinical or Counseling Psychologist

2) Clinical Psychiatrist

3) Psychiatric Nurse

4) Marriage and Family Counselor

5) Substance Abuse Counselor

To get one of the listed positions, you can visit www.indeed.com, where these mental health counselor jobs are available.

What is a mental health therapist salary?

The average licensed mental health therapist salary in the United States is $63,471 as of April 27, 2020, but it varies between $56,557 and $68,223. Your income will depend on many factors, such as educational degrees, certifications, additional skills, experience in a particular field, and so on.

How to find an available mental health counselors near me?

The best and comfortable way to find a needed therapist is to search online. There is a wide variety of websites that might suggest you various therapists in a particular field, which might help you solve problems. For example, you can use goodtherapy.org, where you only need to choose your state and then choose other criteria, such as gender of your future mental health counselor, type of therapy you prefer, language you are going to use during your further treatment, age group, and so on.

Mental health counselors’ job is valuable. They help those who face different life problems, have tough periods in life, and help patients to overcome depressions, stresses, and so on. Many people just need to talk to someone, but they have no person close, and mental health counselors help in such situations.

Anton Kurapov

Anton Kurapov

PhD, a professor assistant at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Fascinated by the role of psychology in lives of people and simply astonished by the complexity of the brain and its functions.

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