Mental Health Counselor Certification

Posted on February 24th, 2010

About Mental Health Counselor Certification – A mental health professional is a person who offers services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health or to treat mental illness. This broad category includes psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, mental health counselors as well as many other professionals. These professionals often deal with the same illnesses, disorders, conditions, and issues; however their scope of practice often differs. The most significant difference between mental health professionals are the laws regarding required education and training in the various groupings.

Reference – Mental Health Counselor Certification at Wikipedia

Mental Health Counselor Certification and Education Programs

Mental health counselors typically possess a master’s degree or Ph.D. prior to seeking national certification. National counselor certification is generally voluntary and differs from state licensing. Individuals may seek certification for a variety of counseling specialties such as rehabilitation counselor or mental health counselor.

Mental Health Counselor Certification

The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. grants the credential of National Certified Counselor (NCC). The organization is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. To be eligible for the National Certified Counselor credential, individuals must hold at least master’s degree with a concentration in counseling. Individuals must have two years or more of supervised practical counseling experience. In addition, applicants must also hold state licensure to practice counseling.

Reference – http://education-portal.com/mental_health_counselor_certification.html

1. Licensure & Certification – State Professional Counselor Licensure Boards -State Professional Counselor Licensure Boards
2. National Board For Certified Counselors – National Board For Certified Counselors
3. Online Counseling Certificate – Online Counseling Certification – Online Certificate in Counseling – Online Counseling Certificate – Get a head start on a professional counseling career with Capella’s professional counseling certification program. Online Counseling Certificate, Online Counseling Certification
4. Counseling Exam Licensure Prep Review NCE Exam NCMHCE Exam NBCC NCC LPC LMHC – Counseling Test prep site for NCE, NCMHCE exam, Cpce, LPC, National Counselor Exam Mental Health Counseling licensure NBCC. Covers CACREP content areas.
5. NYS Mental Health Counseling:License Requirements – Licensed Professions: Mental Health Practitioners
6. Mental Health Counselor Certification and Education Programs – Students who searched for mental health counselor certification found the following information and resources relevant and helpful.
7. Counseling Degree Programs | Learn About Counseling Degree Programs and Read How You Can Earn Your Counseling Degree Online – Counseling Degree Programs. Learn about the many Counseling Degree Programs available, from Master’s degrees to Online Counseling degrees.
8. Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association Home Page – Illinois Mental Health Counselors
9. Mental Health Counselor Licensing Requirements – Washington State Dept of
10. Health -

A passing score on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification is required to receive certification. Those pursuing the credential of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor must complete the NCC credential first, or pursue both certifications simultaneously. While certification is typically voluntary, it may increase employment prospects.

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Mental Health Counseling Degree Courses Requirements

Posted on January 31st, 2010

What courses are taught in the Mental Health Counseling Degree? What are the requirements for Mental Health Counseling Degree?

Foundations of Mental Health Counseling

This course is an introductory course for the psychology department’s Master’s program in Mental Health Counseling. In addition to providing a professional orientation, it introduces a wide range of practice approaches and issues that will be explored in greater depth in individual program courses. This course introduces students to essential counseling and the building of the therapeutic alliance (e.g., therapeutic listening skills, empathy training, basic interviewing and mental status assessment). The importance of professional, ethical and multicultural concerns will be stressed.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Master’s Degree Program in Mental Health Counseling

• chopathology
• Developmental/Lifespan chology
• Assessment in Counseling
• Cognitive/Behavioral and Behavioral Approaches to Counseling
• Theories of chodynamic, Humanistic/Existential and Experiential Approaches to Counseling
• Clinical Instruction

Mental Health Counseling Practicum

This course will focus on the integration of theoretical concepts with actual counseling techniques. The course will occur during a 10 week academic term. Students will work in a program-approved field placement for a total of at least 100 hours, of which 40 hours are accounted for by direct contact with clients in activities aimed at the development of mental health counseling skills Experiences may include exposure to emergency admissions, intakes, psychopharmacology, psychiatric evaluation, in-service trainings, as well as the full spectrum of mental illness and the available range of treatment possibilities.

An approved site supervisor will administer one hour per week of individual or triadic (one supervisor meeting with two students) supervision. In addition, students will participate in an average of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision by a faculty member. Students must obtain student liability insurance prior to field work. Students will be evaluated intermittently throughout the practicum, and with formal evaluation and documentation at the conclusion of practicum.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Program and permission of the Program Director

• Ethics/Child Abuse for Counselors
• Social/Cultural Foundations of Counseling
• Group Theory and Practice
• Mental Health Counseling Internship

Advanced Multicultural Counseling

This course is designed to advance student understanding and valuing of diversity so they can become multiculturally competent counselors. Specifically, the course will explore “Other” cultural groups, examine influences from “Other” world views and consider counseling strategies that address the others perspective. Through in-class exercises, videos, discussions and mock interventions students will gain increased knowledge and confidence in making thoughtful and sensitive counseling interventions.

• Research and Program Evaluation Methods in Mental Health Counseling
• Assessment and Counseling Strategies with Couples and Families
• Mental Health Counseling Internship

Mental Health Counseling Internship

As part of this course students will be placed in a program-approved hospital, clinic or community-based mental health fieldwork setting 200 clock hours, including at least 80 hours of direct contact with actual contacts.

Students must comply with all requirements of the on-site internship supervisor and the school internship instructor, and all details as specified in the internship contract. Students are expected to gain familiarity and to act in accordance with the ACA Code of Ethics at all times. In addition to the hours at the field site, students attend class with the College of Mental Health Counseling Internship Instructor and complete the requirements of the course.

• Immigrant/Family Counseling
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
• Counseling and Grief and Loss

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