Discover the essential requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills needed for a Mental Health Counselor job description.
What does a Mental Health Counselor do?
A mental health counselor is a professional who helps people with mental health challenges through therapy and other methods. They can work in different places, like hospitals or private offices.
Job Description
We are looking for a kind and experienced mental health counselor to provide care for our clients. Your main responsibilities will include evaluating mental health, making treatment plans, and leading individual and group therapy sessions. You may also help with referrals.
To be successful in this role, you should know about the latest therapy methods and be able to work with other healthcare professionals. The best candidates have a lot of experience and understand how to help people with different problems.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Meet with clients and take notes about their situation.
- Evaluate clients' mental, emotional, and behavioral health.
- Create plans to help individuals, couples, families, and groups.
- Lead therapy sessions for individuals and groups.
- Check on clients' progress throughout their treatment.
- Work with other mental health professionals, like doctors and social workers, to help clients.
- Stay in touch with psychiatrists and other doctors if a client is in the hospital.
- Identify and prevent behaviors that could make it harder for clients to recover.
- Help family members and caregivers support people with mental health challenges.
Requirements and Qualifications
- A master's degree in mental health counseling or a similar program from an accredited school.
- Passing scores on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
- A license to practice as a mental health counselor in your state.
- Past experience working as a mental health counselor.
- Knowledge of electronic health record systems like AVATAR.
- Understanding of physical and emotional health conditions and addiction disorders.
- Familiarity with best practices from the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA).
- Knowledge of the effects of medication prescribed by doctors.
- Great written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent ability to connect with people and show empathy.
Alternate Job Titles
- Counselor
- Emotional Health Counselor
Mental Health Counselor Salary
The earning potential of a Mental Health Counselor can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, industry, professional experience, educational background, and the specific employer. On average, the annual salary for an Mental Health Counselor in the United States is approximately $60560.
Alternative Careers and Similar Jobs to a Mental Health Counselor
- Mental Health Specialist Job
- Mental Health Technician Job
- Mental Health Therapist Job
- Mental Health Worker Job
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