What is a mental health counselor?
The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) defines mental health counseling as the provision of professional counseling services involving the application of principles of psychotherapy, human development, learning theory, group dynamics, and the etiology of mental illnesses and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families, and groups for the purposes of treating psychopathology and promoting optimal mental health. Mental Health Counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education and clinical practice. The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is the primary organization representing Mental Health Counselors. A licensed Mental Health Counselor has met of exceeded the following professional standards: a master’s degree; completed a minimum of two years post-master’s clinical work (3000 hours) under the supervision of a licensed/certified counselor (or other licensed mental health professional); and, passed a state or natio
A mental health counselor serves the community in a variety of counseling capacities. Training emphasizes prevention of dysfunction, interdisciplinary collaboration, and direct service. Services are typically provided in mental health agencies and clinics, substance abuse clinics, hospices, hospitals, educational settings, and private practices. Counselors can assist individuals dealing with such issues as stress management, self-esteem, aging, job and career concerns, educational decisions, mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, marital problems, as well as other issues. Mental health counselors work closely with other mental health specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. For more information visit the American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304-3300. Internet: http://www.counseling.org or the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., 3 Terrace Way, Suite D
FACTS: • According to the report, “Mental Health, United States, 1998” published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 96,000 professional counselors are licensed or certified for independent practice in the United States. • The majority of national behavioral health managed care companies reimburse mental health counselors for services they provide. • The median cost per session for mental health counselors is $85, compared to a median cost of $100 and $145 for psychologists and psychiatrists respectively, according to the October 2000 issue of Psychotherapy Finances. • Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia license or certify mental health counselors for private practice. • Mental health counselors adhere to a rigorous code of ethics. Mental health counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. The American Mental Heal
