Mental Health Counselors
Human Advantage 83%
Strongly human-essential role
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.8 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
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.
Also Known As: Behavior Analyst, Behavior Support Specialist (BSS), Behavioral Health Clinician, Behavioral Health Consultant, Behavioral Health Counselor, Behavioral Health Therapist, Bereavement Counselor, Case Manager +30 more
Core Tasks
- 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.
Education & Training
Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (23)
Tools & Equipment (6)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Behavioral & Mental Health Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 3
Occupational Therapy Aides 79% match
Zone 5
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