Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Research Paper Example

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Career Introduction For you to succeed in a career especially in counseling you need to have a plan.  It is important that you understand the characteristics and the background of the people that you'd like to work with.  In this paper we will be dealing with a population of young adults and teenagers. One must also consider the network that they will be using to deliver their services.  To be able to practice in an ethical manner, one should first of all undergo at least two master’s clinical supervision and after that undertake a case consultation.  Counselors should also join professional organizations to help them steer forward in the career (Neukrug, 2011). Being affiliated with recent organizations comes along with major benefits that will be discussed later.  This practice plan will outline all the important details that one needs to consider so as to become a successful counselor.   Historical Background In this plan we will hypothesize a counselor who wants to work with young adults and teenagers.  At this period of time this age bracket experiences many challenging situations thereby the need for counseling services. Working with this population would be rewarding as one is able to see them through this stage thereby making clients of tomorrow. It is also important to note that many of the mental health conditions are diagnosed when a person is either a teenager or a young adult. During this period one is undergoing many changes such as graduating from high school, choosing a college to attend to and starting romantic relationships.  These changes can be confusing and people in this age bracket can start having mental challenges. The challenges faced by this population can be said to be constant as they are almost similar across patients in this population.  It has been proven that the earlier this group receives treatment through counseling the more likely they are going to persevere. This career dates way back the 1900s, where it has made numerous strides overtime. Back in the year 1907 it was suggested that tutors should also be providing lessons on problem solving, prevention and character (Erford, 2014). This led to the beginning of cancelling lessons in schools.  Many students who were teenagers at that time started benefiting from these services. Counseling services were also developed in the year 1908 through the assistance of the mental hygiene movement.  The mentality shift of the society is also important in ensuring that patients receive the much-needed support.  This was the case as people started believing that the mentally ill are not irrevocably sick and they need help, (Erford, 2014).   During the Second World War many young men could not join the forces as they were not mentally stable.  Due to the rampant increase of mental problems in the society, the government through a push by the public recognized the need for preventing and treating mental health disorders as soon as possible, (Erford, 2014). The national mental health act enacted in 1946 was instituted and led to the provision of funds so as to research and train towards prevention,  diagnosis and treatment of disorders relating to mental health, (Erford, 2014). Teens and young adults were the big beneficiaries of this act as they were now able to obtain services early enough so as to stop complicated mental health disorders. In the year 1963 another act of parliament was passed, it was known as the community mental health centers act which sought to grow counseling services.  This act sought to address the major issues that were facing the community which included drug abuse family crisis and alcoholism. Through this act of 1963 funds were provisioned to help in financing community based mental health programs thereby increasing prevention and which lead to decreased hospitalizations, (Erford, 2014).  Due to this clinical mental health counseling increased during this period (Neukrug, 2011). Hospitalizations reduced since this was not their main emphasis.  Other organizations such as outpatient clinics and crisis centers were also developed as a result of these changes.  Mental health care services became easily accessible to anyone who needed to access them. Education institutions had to increase training for counselors as community needs were increasing day by day. As time progressed there was more awareness about the need for prevention and treatment of mental health problems. The 1980s can be said to be the peak season when there was more awareness for the need of the services (Erford, 2014).  This went on till the 2000s When it became important for counselors to be licensed and accredited. This helped unify mental health counseling into a profession. Through the definition of a counselor clients were able to understand the services that they are to receive from a counselor.  Through the creation of clinical mental health counseling many populations have benefited over time. Network and Practice When dealing with teens and young adults a wide range of services is provided to help them improve their mental health. Several locations offer outpatient treatment to teens and young adults. Inpatient hospitalization is also an alternative which is also provided.  Pennsylvania is one of the states that have inpatient units specifically meant for people under the age of 18 years. Inpatient hospitalization is custom made to target specific therapeutic and diagnostic treatments.  Adults are also at times subjected to inpatient treatment. Partial hospitalization programs are also an option when dealing with mental health medication. Day and/or evening treatment programs are also offered to adults who need more intensive treatment more than outpatient therapy while at the same time not requiring hospitalization, (Scrantonscc.org). Based on the available programs One would be inclined towards working as an outpatient counselor.  This can be done through providing individual specialized services or through an outpatient care centre as an employee. In the country Pennsylvania has been ranked as having, the second-highest rate of employment when it comes to mental health counselors.  The median wage for Pennsylvania is $43,480 (Occupational Employment Statistics, 2016). It has been noted that a clinical mental health counselor will most likely counsel with an emphasis on preventing the occurrence of the disorder.  A counselor will also work with clients with the aim of promoting mental and emotional health.  To be able to perform in this career you need to have active listening skills, be a critical thinker, be socially open and services oriented.  You will need to have a master’s degree to be allowed to work as a clinical mental health counselor.  You will need to be knowledge in psychology, therapy and counseling.  Supervision and Consultation Once you're graduated in a master's degree you will need to complete supervision hours before you can obtain a license. In Pennsylvania this needs to be 3000 hours .As per the pa code the supervisor for this exercise needs to be someone who has experience and training in your area of practice.   They must work between 30 to 40 hrs a week in the same setting as you are for a minimum of six months. Between 600 and 1800 hours need to be accumulated in a period of one year so as to meet the obligation into 26 years. To maintain quality and ethical practice the license is renewed every 2 years. During the two years when a practitioner has the license they are also required to undergo 30hrs of refresher trainings.  This needs to be in accepted courses offered by approved providers and there must be 3 hours of training on ethical issues, (PA Code). Consultations on previous cases are a practice that has been adopted inverse counseling community.  One could engage active licensed counselors to help in conducting case consultation.  A supervisor can also be used as a reference point during this case consultation.  To ensure that the privacy of the patient is respected, the practitioners are expected to follow the ACA code of ethics. That has been shared during the consultation relationship is used for just professional purposes and should not be shared with anybody.  Every effort should be done to conceal the identity of the client, ( ACA n.d ). This happens even when doing case consultation.   Professional Organizations        Counselors have developed professional organizations that are meant to provide support and assist each other. Some of the organizations that new members should join include the American counseling association (ACA) and the American mental health counseling association, (AMHCA). Members of these associations are meant to benefit in many ways.  One of the main ways that members benefit includes having liability insurance.  Networking is also important for career development and this can be achieved through membership of these organizations.  These organizations also provide modern resources and seminars that members can partake in thereby improving their counseling skills. As a Member one is also able to access peer-reviewed journals and professionally done websites which are beneficial to the career of the members. Conclusion        Clinical mental health counselors are highly impacted by the history of this profession.  Understanding the history of this career is important as it informs on the developments that have happened in the recent past.  This ensures that a counselor uses modern proven methods to treat their clients. Counseling services can be offered through various methods.  The writers of this paper prefer outpatient counseling. To become a clinical mental health counselor in Pennsylvania one would have to first of all acquire a master's degree.  After that one would be required to undergo a supervisory period. Clinical mental health counseling is a field that is highly dynamic and therefore employees in this field need to be Able to easily adapt and plan for the future.       References ACA Code of Ethics. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2017, from http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=4 CHAPTER 49. STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORKERS, MARRIAGEAND FAMILY THERAPISTS AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS—LICENSURE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter49/chap49toc.html Erford, B. T. (2014). Orientation to the counseling profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations . (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Inc. Neukrug, E. (2011). The world of the counselor: An introduction to the counseling profession. Nelson Education.  O*Net Online. (2013). Summart Report for: 21-1014.00 – Mental Health Counselors.         Retrieved from http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1014.00 Services/Programs. (n.d.). October 13, 2017, from http://scrantonscc.org/services.html United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics.        (2012, May). Occupational employment and wages, May 2016: 21-1014 Mental Health Counselors. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211014.htm Read More