Occupation: Mental Health Counselors

Mental Health Counselors

Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

21-1014.00 | 27 tasks | 10 job titles
Reported Job Titles (10)
  • Behavior Analyst
  • Behavior Support Specialist (BSS)
  • Case Manager
  • Clinician
  • Counselor
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Mental Health Program Specialist
  • Mental Health Specialist
  • Mental Health Therapist
Core Tasks (24)
  • Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
  • Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
  • Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
  • Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
  • Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
  • Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others.
  • Perform crisis interventions with clients.
  • Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
  • Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
  • Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
  • Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.
  • Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status.
  • Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
  • Monitor clients' use of medications.
  • Collaborate with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
  • Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
  • Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.
  • Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
  • Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.
  • Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.
  • Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
  • Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.
Supplemental Tasks (3)
  • Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students.
  • Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.
  • Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.