Transcript Exploring Becoming a Mental Health Counselor

Exploring Becoming a
Mental Health Counselor
Presented by:
Jim Messina, Ph.D. , NCC, CCMHC
What are the Hallmarks
of a Profession?
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Professional Membership Organization
Code of Ethics
Research into Effectiveness of Service Delivery
Certification and Licensure
Accreditation
The National Professional Association
of Mental Health Counselors
American Mental Health
Counselors Association
Florida Chapter of AMHCA
Suncoast Chapter of FMHCA
Association AMHCA Belongs to
American Counseling Association
CODES OF ETHICS
Governing
Mental Health Counselors
Research in the field is Reported in
AMHCA’s Journal
AMHCA’s Online Newsletter
National Certification
Two National Certifications
• NCC: National Certified Counselor – Over
48,000
• CCMHC: Certified Clinical Mental Health
Counselor – Over 1,000 are CCMHC’s
State Licensure-FL 491License Board
In Florida
• 7,784 Licensed Mental Health Counselors
• 1,545 Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists
• 10,070 Licensed Social Workers
In USA
• 120,429 Licensed Professional Counselors
• 54,785 Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists
• 202,924 Licensed Social Workers
Accreditation-CACREP
74 Graduate Programs in the USA are CACREP approved in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling
In Florida they are:
1.
Argosy Sarasota
2. Barry University
3. Florida Atlantic University
4. Florida Gulf Coast University
5. Florida International University
6. Florida State University
7. Rollins College
8. Troy University Southeast Region: Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Walton Beach,
Panama City & Pensacola
9. University of Central Florida
10. University of Florida
11. University of North Florida
12. University of South Florida
Online:
1.
Cappella University
2. Walden University
SO! What do Mental Health
Counselors Do?
Mental Health Counselors offer full range of services:
• Assessment & diagnosis
• Treatment planning and utilization review
• Psychotherapy
• Brief and solution-focused therapy
• Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment
• Psycho-educational & prevention programs
• Crisis management
• Trauma Intervention
ACA’s 20/20 Commission’s
Definition of Counseling
Counseling is a professional relationship that
empowers diverse individuals, families and groups
to accomplish mental health, wellness, education
and career goals
What Skills Do Mental Health
Counselors Need?
• Ability to understand dynamics of Human
Development to capture good psychosocial history
of clients
• Diagnosis of and treatment for behavioral pathology
• Evidenced based practices in psychotherapy to
provide credible treatment to clients
• Understanding of basic neuroscience of brain and
nervous system to understand roots of emotional
responses to life’s stressors
• Understanding of psychopharmacological treatment
of psychopathology
History Timeline of Creation of
Mental Health Counseling Profession
• 1976 – Coining of term Mental Health Counselor
and formation of American Mental Health
Counselor’s Association as Division of ACA
• 1979 – Creation of the National Academy of
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors
• 1981 – First State Law to license Mental Health
Counselors put into effect in Florida
• 1985 – AMHCA had over 12,000 members
• 2011 – AMHCA put out its newest Standards of
Practice in Mental Health Counseling
What are the future prospects
for the profession?
• Recognized for VA Positions in VA Hospitals and
Field Agencies
• Hope to soon be recognized for Medicare Services
• Increased work in Behavioral Medicine in
Hospitals, Rehab Centers, and Primary Care
Physicians’ Offices
• Increased work in Substance Abuse and Alcohol
Treatment Facilities
• Increased work in Courts as Custody Evaluators
What Training is Needed to Become a
Mental Health Counselor?
• Masters in Mental Health Counseling – 60 hours
including courses in all aspects of the field, plus
a practicum and Internship
• 2 years post Master Internship under
supervision of LMHC or registered supervisor
prior to becoming licensed
• Pass the Master’s Comps and Licensing Exam
Where does one get
Mental Health Counseling training?
• CACREP accredited Mental Health Counseling
Graduate programs either
1. in person on ground or
2. Online or
3. Hybrid mix of on ground and online
How do you get yourself ready?
• Graduate from your Undergraduate Program
• Take the GRE or MAT
• Apply to CACREP accredited Masters Degree
Programs
• Get accepted
• Enjoy the ride to becoming a Recognized Mental
Health Professional as a Mental Health
Counselor!
Any Questions?