Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Mental health counseling is the evaluation, assessment, amelioration, treatment, modification or adjustment to a disability, problem, or disorder of behavior, character, development, emotion, personality or relationship by the use of verbal or behavioral methods.

Practitioners, called mental health counselors, are trained in counseling and psychotherapy to treat individuals with mental and emotional disorders and other behavioral challenges. Mental health counselors address mental health, human relationship, education and career concerns within ethical, developmental, preventive and treatment contexts. Mental health counselors demonstrate a concern for the short-term and long-term well-being of individuals, couples, families, groups and organizations.

Mental health counselors are dedicated to the optimal functioning of individuals, families and organizations. The mental health counselor uses standard mental health assessment and evaluation protocols, develops patient psychosocial histories, writes treatment plans, documents patient progress, facilitates consultation and referral with other providers, and implements discharge plans.

What services do licensed mental health counselors provide?

Mental health counselors use assessment instruments, provide mental health counseling and psychotherapy, clinical assessment and evaluation, treatment planning and case management, prevention, discharge, and aftercare services. After identifying and evaluating mental health problems and related human development challenges, mental health counselors employ effective methods of counseling and psychotherapy to treat individuals with conditions that may include mood disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, personality disorders, dementia and adjustment disorders.

Mental health counselors assist patients to develop skills and strategies to address issues such as parenting and career skills; problems in adolescent and family communication and functioning; couples, marital and relationship problems; and preventing the occurrence or re-occurrence of alcohol and substance abuse.

How do licensees provide these services?

Mental health counselors are trained in counseling, psychotherapy and prevention. They work with individuals, couples, families, groups and organizations using brief techniques, such as crisis intervention and solution-focused approaches, or longer term approaches when treating chronic mental health disorders or disabilities. Mental health counselors provide services such as:

• Helping patients identify goals and solutions to problems causing emotional problems and the use of psychotherapy to address mental disorders and substance abuse
• Assessing the patient’s disability and developing a treatment plan that may include counseling, job training and access to technology and services, that assists the patient in achieving maximum participation in work and social activities
• Supervising counseling interns and graduates of counseling programs to develop skills necessary to practice as a mental health counselor
• Engaging in program development, advocacy, research and program evaluation to improve mental health treatment and prevention services
• Assisting new and displaced workers to identify vocational and career interests based on the patient's knowledge, skills and abilities
• Collaborating with students, teachers and families from elementary school through college to eliminate barriers to learning and provide students with the skills necessary for healthy, successful lives

Where do licensed mental health counselors practice?

Mental health counselors may work in individually or as part of a team of professionals who establish and implement a treatment plan to address the patient’s needs. They may work in a private practice or practice with other licensed mental health counselors or in other settings authorized to provide professional services.