Mental Health Counselors
Mental health counsellors counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. They help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or ageing.
Mental health counsellors counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues and complete documentation required by programs or regulations. They must write reports or evaluations. Moreover, they also counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues, cognitive, behavioural, and emotional issues and teach life skills or strategies to clients or their families.
One may find mental health counsellors' jobs in a wide range of settings, which includes mental health clinics, schools, private practices, hospitals, community health centres, correctional facilities, businesses, colleges and universities, social service agencies and government agencies.
How to become a mental health counsellor? Well, to begin by earning a bachelor's degree in a social services field such as psychology, sociology, or social work. People with an undergraduate degree can enter the field of counselling, tough background in social sciences is ideal. A candidate also requires some basic prerequisite courses and certifications before gaining admission to a recognised master's degree program.
In addition to understanding this subject matter and techniques of mental health counsellors, candidates need to have good listening, effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and outstanding people skills.
To be successful, emotional intelligence, compassion, empathy, and nonverbal communication abilities are desirable.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Ph.D. Psychology
- M.Phil Psychiatric Social Work
- M.A. Social Work
- B.A. Social Work
- B.Sc. Psychology
Tasks
- Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
- Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
- Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
- Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
- Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
- Collaborate with other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
- Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
Progression Routes
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