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Comprehensive Mental Health Specialist Job Description, Duties, Responsibilities, Requirements, and Qualifications

Comprehensive Mental Health Specialist Job Description, Duties, Responsibilities, Requirements, and Qualifications
September 27, 2025

Explore the critical requirements, core duties, primary responsibilities, and key skills that should be included in a comprehensive Mental Health Specialist job description.

What does a Mental Health Specialist do?

A mental health specialist is someone who helps people with mental illnesses. They work in places like hospitals, clinics, schools, prisons, and the military.

Job Description

We are looking for a caring and strong mental health specialist to join our team. In this job, you will talk to patients, figure out what's wrong, work with other healthcare professionals to create treatment plans, and lead therapy sessions. You will also help during emergencies.

To do well as a mental health specialist, you should know a lot about how people think and different ways to treat mental illnesses. You should also be good at solving problems and working with other mental health experts.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Meet with patients and understand their situation to make assessments and diagnoses
  • Create and follow treatment plans for different mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and more
  • Check on patients and change treatment plans with other healthcare professionals as needed
  • Lead group and one-on-one therapy sessions
  • Take detailed notes for all patients
  • Talk to police officers, social workers, community members, and teachers when needed
  • Arrange meetings with family and caregivers to talk about treatment plans
  • Keep learning about mental health disorders by going to conferences, taking classes, and talking to other mental health specialists
  • Follow safety rules at work

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field
  • Past experience working in mental healthcare is preferred
  • Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field is helpful
  • Certification as a Mental Health Professional or something similar may be needed
  • Know about different types of therapy like CBT, Gestalt therapy, and more
  • Understand how to use software like TherapyNotes, ShareNotes, and Procentive
  • Good at solving problems and watching closely
  • Can handle stress and make good decisions
  • Can work different shifts and weekends if needed

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