Exploring Becoming a Mental Health CounselorPresented by: Jim Messina, Ph.D. , NCC, CCMHC

What are the Hallmarks of a Profession?•Professional Membership Organization•Code of Ethics•Research into Effectiveness of Service

Delivery•Certification and Licensure•Accreditation

The National Professional Association of Mental Health

Counselors

American Mental Health Counselors Association

Suncoast Chapter of FMHCA

Florida Chapter of AMHCA

Association AMHCA Belongs to

American Counseling Association

CODES OF ETHICS Governing

Mental Health Counselors

Research in the field is Reported in AMHCA’s Journal

AMHCA’s Online Newsletter

National Certification

Two National Certifications

•NCC: National Certified Counselor – Over 48,000

•CCMHC: Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor – Over 1,000 are CCMHC’s

State Licensure-FL 491License BoardIn Florida•7,784 Licensed Mental Health Counselors• 1,545 Licensed Marriage & Family

Therapists•10,070 Licensed Social WorkersIn USA•120,429 Licensed Professional Counselors•54,785 Licensed Marriage & Family

Therapists•202,924 Licensed Social Workers

Accreditation-CACREP74 Graduate Programs in the USA are CACREP approved in Clinical Mental Health CounselingIn Florida they are:1.Argosy Sarasota2.Barry University3.Florida Atlantic University4.Florida Gulf Coast University5.Florida International University6.Florida State University7.Rollins College8.Troy University Southeast Region: Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Walton Beach, Panama City & Pensacola9.University of Central Florida10.University of Florida11.University of North Florida12.University of South FloridaOnline:1.Cappella University2.Walden University

SO! What do Mental Health Counselors Do?

Mental Health Counselors offer full range of services:

•Assessment & diagnosis•Treatment planning and utilization review•Psychotherapy•Brief and solution-focused therapy•Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment•Psycho-educational & prevention programs•Crisis management•Trauma Intervention

ACA’s 20/20 Commission’s Definition of Counseling

Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals

What Skills Do Mental Health Counselors Need?

•Ability to understand dynamics of Human Development to capture good psychosocial history of clients

•Diagnosis of and treatment for behavioral pathology

•Evidenced based practices in psychotherapy to provide credible treatment to clients

•Understanding of basic neuroscience of brain and nervous system to understand roots of emotional responses to life’s stressors

•Understanding of psychopharmacological treatment of psychopathology

History Timeline of Creation of Mental Health Counseling

Profession•1976 – Coining of term Mental Health Counselor and formation of American Mental Health Counselor’s Association as Division of ACA

•1979 – Creation of the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors

•1981 – First State Law to license Mental Health Counselors put into effect in Florida

•1985 – AMHCA had over 12,000 members•2011 – AMHCA put out its newest Standards

of Practice in Mental Health Counseling

What are the future prospects for the profession?

•Recognized for VA Positions in VA Hospitals and Field Agencies

•Hope to soon be recognized for Medicare Services

• Increased work in Behavioral Medicine in Hospitals, Rehab Centers, and Primary Care Physicians’ Offices

• Increased work in Substance Abuse and Alcohol Treatment Facilities

• Increased work in Courts as Custody Evaluators

What Training is Needed to Become a Mental Health

Counselor?•Masters in Mental Health Counseling – 60

hours including courses in all aspects of the field, plus a practicum and Internship

•2 years post Master Internship under supervision of LMHC or registered supervisor prior to becoming licensed

•Pass the Master’s Comps and Licensing Exam

Where does one get Mental Health Counseling

training?•CACREP accredited Mental Health

Counseling Graduate programs either 1.in person on ground or 2.Online or 3.Hybrid mix of on ground and online

How do you get yourself ready?•Graduate from your Undergraduate

Program•Take the GRE or MAT•Apply to CACREP accredited Masters

Degree Programs •Get accepted •Enjoy the ride to becoming a Recognized

Mental Health Professional as a Mental Health Counselor!

Any Questions?