What will I do in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training, and clinical practice. Clinical Mental Health Counselors are highly-skilled professionals who combine traditional therapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution. Clinical Mental Health Counselors offer a full range of services including: assessment and diagnosis, therapy, treatment planning, brief and solution-focused therapy, psychoeducational and prevention program, and crisis management.

Clinical Mental Health Counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat emotional and mental disorders and to promote mental health. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, problems with self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to emotional health, and family, parenting, marital, or other relationship problems. Clinical Mental Health Counselors often work closely with other mental health specialist, such as psychiatrists, psychologist, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors.

For more information on clinical and mental counseling, please visit the website for the American Counseling Association at http://www.counseling.org.