Mental health counselor: Difference between revisions
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A '''mental health counselor''' ('''MHC''') is a person who practices [[mental health]] counseling. |
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A '''mental health counselor''' ('''MHC''') practices [[mental health]] counseling, which is a dynamic, holistic, strengths-based and [[psychoeducation]]al discipline born in the late 1970s when several mental health professionals realized that the [[master’s degree]] level counselors working in community settings lacked a professional home or identity.{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} Research showed that these Master's degree level counselors were successful in treating mental health issues.{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} Counseling is grounded in Developmental Theory and the counseling profession had its etiologic underpinnings in prevention and wellness (Juntunen & Atkinson, 2001). James Messina, Gary Seiler and others came together to form the '''American Mental Health Counselors Association''' ('''AMHCA''') in 1976. |
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The association grew to over 12,000 members with a professional journal, newsletter, national meetings, state branches and a certification process for the [[Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor]] (CCMHC) credential in 1979. Early efforts included the recognition by third party payers and state licensure for MHCs. These early goals have for the most part been met and AMHCA remains a viable professional organization. |
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In 1981, Artis J. Palmo developed a manuscript for the AMHCA Board of Directors which in part described the evolving role of the MHC. The counselor collected data to assess the client’s mental and emotional and/or behavioral problems or behavioral disorders and helped clients to effectively adapt to the concerns presented. In later writings authors such as Hershenson and Strein (1991); and Palmo, Shosh and Weikel (2001) emphasized that MHCs are concerned about the client’s environment with a more global view than other professionals as well as a concern that goes beyond treating [[Abnormality (behavior)|dysfunction]] or [[pathology]] and dealing with the clients’ [[self-awareness]], [[personal growth]], and [[Wellness (alternative medicine)|wellness]]. |
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Seiler, Brooks and Beck (1987) delivered the first Training Standards for Mental Health Counselors (60 hours) which established this profession as the Clinical Identity for the [[Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs]] (CACREP). Though slow to accept, by the beginning of 2000, the standard was pretty much accepted universally for clinical applications. The 60 credit Master's program has become the standard for Mental Health Counselor training (at least for those seeking a pre-licensure program). Currently, 27 states specifically cite CACREP in their rules or regulations as meeting the educational requirements for licensure. Of the remaining 23 states, 15 require the CACREP core areas without specifically citing CACREP.<ref>[http://www.cacrep.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=19 CACREP, "Points for Sharing"] Retrieved 03 July 2013</ref> |
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As Brooks and Weikel (1996) and later Smith and Weikel (2006) have pointed out, the profession can trace its roots through several historical antecedents culminating in the shift to [[community]] based treatment and the need for a cadre of professionals to deliver counseling services in a cost-efficient manner. The MHC of the 2000s can be found in a variety of employment including mental health centers, [[hospital]]s, [[clinic]]s, [[college]]s and [[universities]] and [[Medical practice|private practices]]. As the profession continues to grow and evolve, more entities such as third party payers, public policy makers as well as members of the general public are realizing the effectiveness of the professional MHC. |
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== Description of duties== |
== Description of duties== |
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Revision as of 15:35, 30 July 2014
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A mental health counselor (MHC) is a person who practices mental health counseling.
Description of duties
A significant point of reference to distinguish MHCs from social workers, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and psychiatrists, is that MHCs increasingly utilize a psycho-educational model for counseling clients, in conjunction with the more traditional medical/illness model for assessment and diagnosis. However, the main distinction from other mental health fields include its emphasis on prevention as well as an approach grounded Developmental Theory (not medical model), and its holistically focused approach.
MHCs 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 mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, marital, or other relationship problems. MHCs often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. In many U.S. states, MHCs may diagnose as well as treat mental illness,[1] though the scope of practice for mental health practitioners changes from state to state.[2]
See also
- List of counseling topics
- Mental health professional
- Psychotherapist
- Nonviolent communication
- Social worker
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Occupational therapist
- Expressive therapy
- Behavior Therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Rational emotive behavior therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
References
Sources
- Brooks, D. K. & Weikel, W.J. (1996) Mental health counseling: The first twenty years. In W. J. Weikel & A. J. Palmo (Eds.) "Foundations of mental health counseling" (2nd ed.), (pp..5-29). Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
- Hershenson, D. B. & Strein, W. (1991) Toward a mentally healthy curriculum for mental health counselor education. "Journal of Mental Health Counseling", 13, 247-252.
- Palmo, A. J., Shosh, M. J. & Weikel, W. J. (2001). The independent practice of mental health counseling: past, present, and future. In D.C. Locke, J. E. Myers, & E. L. Herr (Eds), "The handbook of counseling" (pp. 653–667). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Seiler, G., Brooks, D. and Beck, E.S., (1987) Training Standards for Mental Health Counselors, Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 9(4): 199-209
- Smith, H. B. & Weikel, W. J. (2006) Mental health counseling: The first thirty years and beyond. In A. J. Palmo, W. J. Weikel & D. P. Borsos (Eds.) "Foundations of mental health counseling" (3rd ed.), (pp5–29. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
- Prepared June 2008 by William J. Weikel Ph.D., Howard Smith, Ed.D.., Artis J. Palmo Ph.D. and Edward Beck, Ed.D.