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Mental Health Counselor
Are you interested in going back to school to earn a college degree so that you can live a better life? If you are looking to pursue a rewarding career and help so many in need, you may find that a career as a mental health counselor could be right for you. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about a mental health counselor career, such as the job description, the educational requirements and the skills required to succeed. Once you know these key pieces of information, you will be able to make a properly informed decision as to whether this is the right career choice for you.
Job Description of a Mental Health Counselors
As a mental health counselor, your job will be to conduct mental health evaluations, develop individualized treatment plans, lead individual or group therapy sessions, run preventative mental wellness clinics and make treatment referrals. You can work in a variety of places as a mental health counselor. Some of these places can include, but are not limited to schools, government departments and government agencies, or for part of a social outreach agency. Mental health counselors can also run their own businesses.
Educational Requirements
In order to become a mental counselor, you will need to at least need to have earned a bachelor’s degree. You will find, however, that the requirements for employment vary by state, and some states will even require that you have obtained a master’s degree in counseling, social work, mental health, psychology or a related field. A bachelor’s degree will take you four years to earn, and a master’s degree will take you an additional two to three years. You can expect to take courses in fields, such as individual and group therapy methods, psychological development, group dynamics and behavioral theory.
In order to succeed in a career as a health counselor, you should have excellent people and communication skills. This means that you should be able to listen, as well as to discuss the patient’s problems. You should have both verbal and written communication skills. You will also find that taking an analytical approach will benefit you in your career as a health counselor.
A mental health counselor is a professional who works in both a rewarding and well paying career field helping patients to work through their problems. Now that you have been properly informed about the job description, educational requirements and necessary skills to succeed in this career field, you should be able to decide whether this is the right choice for you. If you feel that it is, the first step in working towards a job is to call a school of your choice and speak to a guidance counselor who can help you through the admissions process, with choosing the right courses and with applying for financial aid if you should need it. Once you earn either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, you will be ready to step foot into the working world as a mental health counselor.
