Mental Health Counselors

client patient emotional health information social interests counsel family treatment plan community progress

Clinician, Counselor, Mental Health Specialist, Mental Health Therapist

Where in the military? Select a military branch to see samples.
Chaplain; Clinical Psychologist, Aviation Psychologist; Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Health Psychologist; Clinical Psychologist, Operational Psychologist; Mental Health Nurse; Mental Health Service Apprentice; Mental Health Service Journeyman; Mental Health Service Superintendent; Religious Affairs Craftsman; Religious Affairs Journeyman
Behavioral Health Specialist; Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Command and Unit Chaplain; Medical Service Corps Officer; Nurse Corps Officer; Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse; Social Work
No similar titles were found.
Correctional Counselor; Substance Abuse Control Officer; Substance Abuse Control Specialist
Behavioral Health Technician; Chaplain; Clinical Psychologist; Clinical Social Worker; Counselor; Drug and Alcohol Counselor; Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor; Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern; Religious Program Specialist; Supervisory Chaplain
No similar titles were found.
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • sociology and anthropology

Health

  • therapy and counseling

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • looking for ways to help people

Abilities

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Concern for Others
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Social Orientation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • Microsoft Dynamics Hot Technology
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Internet browser software

  • Netscape Navigator
  • Web browser software

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about mental health counselors.