So You Want to Become a Counselor

What Is Mental Health

Lets start with the basics.  Mental health effects how we think, feel, and behave on an everyday basis. It is maintaining some state of well being emotionally, psychologically, and socially while also having an absence of mental illness such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.

How Do You Become A Mental Health Counselor

Professional counseling can offer a rewarding career path for those who have one thing in common-a desire to help people work through life’s challenges. Good education is imperative to begin a career in mental health counseling and a graduate's degree from an accredited mental health counseling program is required in most states. According to the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), you will need to complete counseling experiences under the supervision of a licensed mental health practitioner after completing a master's degree program (www. policies.org). A minimum of at least two years or 3,000 hours of post-master's practice is generally necessary for licensure eligibility, though exact requirements depend on the state. Once you have completed all requirements per your state you are credentialed. You have a professional title and the initials to follow. All states require that you work under supervision for a period of time to gain full licensure. It is important to understand your particular state's requirements and policies for licensure. This part is a little tricky as some states provide an associate license and others require you to register your supervison. In Wyoming there are two levels of licensure to complete. You will become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at the completion of all requirements including education, supervised work experience, and licensing exam. Prior to fulfilling your supervised work you will be credentialed as a Provisional Professional Counselor (PPC). Your best bet is to contact your state board if you have any questions about the process that your state requires.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the availibility of future job opportunities looks good.

"Employment of mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected in both occupations as more people have mental health counseling services covered by their insurance policies" (www. credentialing.gov). 

What Does A Mental Health Counselor Do

Mental Health Counselors can work in a variety of different settings including but not limited to:

• Hospitals
• Substance Abuse Centers
• Private Practice
• Managed Behavioral Health Care Organizations

A Graduate education and extensive clinical experiences prepare mental health counselors to provide services that help clients with a variety of mental and emotional issues.  They will work with individuals (couples, families, adults, children, or the elderly) to deal with personal issues like depression, anger, suicidal thoughts, addiction, and serious mental illness like bipolar disorder.  Some counselors also work with people trying to cope with the everyday difficult circumstances of life.  For example, coping with a death of a loved one handling grief, relationship dysfunction or divorce, stressors within a job, parenting and physical illness. It is important for counselors to know when to refer clients to seek additional resources beyond their scope of ability.  A referal to a psychologist is apropriate in cases where medications may need to be prescribed. The types of work counselors provide include psychotherapy (collaborative or talk therapy), completing assessments and diagnoses, substance abuse treatment and crisis management; all focused towards helping the patient heal and learn constructive ways to deal with problems or issues affecting their life.  While being a "good listener" (humourously explained in the video clip) is a great quality to have and will benefit you greatly in a mental health counseling career, however, it is definetley not the only reason you should become one as I have outlined.