All About Mental Health Counselors
Mental Health Counselor Example Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.
A Day in the Life of a Mental Health Counselor
- Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
- Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients’ treatment.
- Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.
- Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
- Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
- Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.
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Mental Health Counselor Needed Skills
When polled, Mental Health Counselors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Other Mental Health Counselor Job Titles
- Case Manager
- Behavioral Health Therapist
- Mental Health Counselor
- Behavior Support Specialist (BSS)
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Job Outlook for Mental Health Counselors
There were about 157,700 jobs for Mental Health Counselor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 36,500 new jobs for Mental Health Counselor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 21,600 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Mental Health Counselor are Utah, Arizona, and Virginia. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Kansas, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What Tools & Technology do Mental Health Counselors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Mental Health Counselors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Scheduling software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Statistical software
- Patient electronic medical record EMR software
- Netscape Navigator
- Management information systems MIS
- Office suite software
Becoming a Mental Health Counselor
What kind of Mental Health Counselor requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Mental Health Counselor?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those who work as a Mental Health Counselor sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Katie Spencer via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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