Mental Health Counselor

They work more with general mental health problems and life struggles than with actual mental illnesses. They focus more on preventing a mental health condition by treating psychological distress. However, mental health counselors may diagnose mental health conditions in some states in the U.S.

Mental Health counselors also use a client-centered approach, where a client is a partner and not a patient being subscribed a cure. Therefore, a counselor will usually work with patients to plan out counseling sessions.

Benefits of Working with a Mental Health Counselor

While counselors are often called upon to treat specific problems, they also tend to take an approach that focuses on overall wellness (Cherry, 2021). A good counselor will not only help solve problems, but encourage healthy behaviors, improve relationships, and help with resilience.

Khan, Glunaz. (2021, January 28). healthline/What Is a Mental Health Counselor? Plus Where You Can Find One. Retrieved from:

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mental-health-counselors

Cherry, Kendra. (2021, April 15). verywellmind/Mental Health Counselor Training, Skills, and Salary. Retrieved from:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-mental-health-counselor-4157925

WebMD/Guide to Psychiatry and Counseling. Retrieved from:

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/guide-to-psychiatry-and-counseling#1

Difference Between a Psychologist and Mental Health Counselor
 

What psychologists and mental health counselors have in common is they both utilize psychotherapy. Although counselors are trained to perform psychotherapy, they do not have the same degree of training or license to operate. Psychologists are the ones more frequently involved in research studies. Counselors do however have access to a much broader field of potential models for counseling (Human Services).

Difference Between Counselors and Social Workers

They are both similar in the fact that they typically work on preventing mental health illnesses vs diagnosing and treating mental health illnesses. However, social workers provide a larger range of services including navigating social services including education and healthcare. Social workers can provide community resources in combination with therapy.

Social workers are more likely to deal with violence, or criminology, where mental health counselors will work on areas more focused on mental health including family therapy, grief, and addiction counseling. A mental health counselor will help with specific problems related to behavior, emotional, and mental health. A clinical social worker may help their clients with emotional, physical, or financial improvements.

Counselor-License.com/Psychologist vs. Counselor. Retrieved from:

https://counselor-license.com/articles/psychologist-vs-counselor/

HumanServicesEdu.org/Human Services Guide/Counselor vs. Therapist vs. Psychologist.

Retrieved from: https://www.humanservicesedu.org/counselor-vs-psych-vs-therapist.html#context/api/listings/prefilter

Social Work License Map/Master’s in Social Work vs Master’s in Counseling. Retrieved from:

https://socialworklicensemap.com/social-work-resources/comparing-social-service-degrees/social-work-vs-counseling/https://www.newyorkbehavioralhealth.com/nyc-therapist/j-ryan-fuller-ph-d/

WebMD/Guide to Psychiatry and Counseling. Retrieved from:

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/guide-to-psychiatry-and-counseling#1

Mental health counselors can work alongside other types of medical providers — including psychiatrists or primary care doctors — to provide holistic treatment (Khan, 2021).

Therapy Specialties

They might also specialize in different types of therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, or Interpersonal Therapy.

Cognitive therapy focuses on the way people think, and behavioral focuses on the way people behave. This form of therapy is all about changing current thinking, behaviors, and attitudes placing more emphasis on the present vs. the past.

Psychoanalytic therapy looks at unconscious processes and past experiences (likely from childhood) that affect present behaviors, emotions, or thoughts. This may include looking at dreams or possible fantasies to explore how the unconscious mind relates to present behaviors. It helps with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, childhood traumas, phobias, and more.

Interpersonal therapy helps people improve the way they communicate with others in social interactions. Sometimes psychological problems such as anxiety are due to dysfunctional or harmful social interactions with other people. 

Counselors work in settings including

• Businesses
• Correctional Facilities
• Colleges and Universities
• Community Health Centers
• Government Agencies
• Hospitals
• Mental Health Clinics
• Private Practices
• Rehabilitation Counselors or Inpatient
• Schools
• Social Service Agencies
  
  

Khan, Glunaz. (2021, January 28). healthline/What Is a Mental Health Counselor? Plus Where You Can Find One. Retrieved from:

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mental-health-counselors

Cherry, Kendra. (2021, April 15). verywellmind/Mental Health Counselor Training, Skills, and Salary. Retrieved from:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-mental-health-counselor-4157925

It doesn’t matter if your goal is to change your behaviors, understand other’s behaviors, work on a relationship, or you are unsure and just need to talk to someone.

From VeryWellMind: Some reasons to meet with a Mental Health Counselor include:

• Life seems intense and unmanageable.
• You feel uninterested in things you used to enjoy and disconnected from the people around you.
• You have been using substances to cope with your problems.
• Your anxiety feels overwhelming.
• Your relationships feel strained and not what they used to be.
• You just feel like you would benefit from talking about your concerns with a professional. (Cherry, 2021)
  
  

Khan, Glunaz. (2021, January 28). healthline/What Is a Mental Health Counselor? Plus Where You Can Find One. Retrieved from:

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mental-health-counselors

Cherry, Kendra. (2021, April 15). verywellmind/Mental Health Counselor Training, Skills, and Salary. Retrieved from:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-mental-health-counselor-4157925

Mental health counselors usually obtain a Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, or social work. Mental health counselors are required to have a Master's degree in counseling and 2 to 3 years of practice under a licensed professional.

Lastly, it is required to pass a state licensing exam. It is also an option to gain a certification, but isn’t necessary. Counselors are also required to continue their education throughout their career to stay current and grow their skill set.

Cherry, Kendra. (2021, April 15). verywellmind/Mental Health Counselor Training, Skills, and Salary. Retrieved from:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-mental-health-counselor-4157925

He advocated for the more humane treatment of institutionalized patients with psychological disorders (Fuller). However, counseling was more for educational purposes until 1940. In 1942, Carl Rogers established the identity of counseling with his client-centered theory, where a client is a partner and not a patient being subscribed a cure. He thought that the client was the one who could explain their problems and figure out which path to take when it comes to counseling (Miguel, 2018).

The value of counseling really shined during World War II with soldiers receiving counseling before and after fighting in the war. Counseling really took off in the 1970s after the creation of a professional association, The American Mental Health Counselor Association (AMHCA).

Fuller, J Ryan. New York Behavioral Health/The History Of Mental Health Counseling: 1800s – Present Day. Retrieved from:

https://www.newyorkbehavioralhealth.com/history-of-mental-health-counseling-part-i/

Miguel, Marie. (2018, July 11). History News Network/The History of Mental Health Counseling. Retrieved from: https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/169522

Directories:

National Board for Certified Counselors
FindTreatment.gov
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Psychology Today
Health Grades

Therapy Tribe (Worldwide)

Good Therapy (Worldwide)

Finding the Right Fit

A mental health counselor’s job is to make you feel comfortable sharing and not to judge you. So in order to get the most out of the therapy it is important not to hold back from sharing any experiences or feelings. The more you share, the more they can help you. It might take a few weeks for you to really get comfortable with your counselor, but they definitely shouldn’t make you uncomfortable. If you do not feel comfortable with them after a few visits, you might need to make a change. 

Initial Phone Consultation

When finding a mental health counselor, you need to make sure they are a good fit for you the same way you would want a medical doctor you are comfortable with. Always start with a phone call to discuss: how they can help you, what is their approach, what areas do they specialize in, and get an idea of how comfortable you are talking to them. It might be beneficial to chat with a few on the phone before picking one. You should also consider whether the mental health counselor takes insurance, many do, and find out how payments work. Additionally, discuss how often you might meet with them.

Initial Appointment

Typically on a first visit you will just be explaining your problems, and providing some background about yourself. You will likely talk about your goals with what you intend to get out of therapy. The first session is just them getting to know you. They are great listeners, and they want to fully understand everything before providing any ideas or advice.