In the last post, I wrote about the clinical mental health counseling history, roles, and professional issues. In this post, I will explore the various settings under which mental health counselors commonly work.
There are many settings under which you can work as a mental health counselor. Private practice is usually the most commonly known, but here are some others:
- Career and Employment Agencies – counselors can be found in vocational rehab, college counseling centers or other employment-related settings. Counselors assess client’s skills, strengths and interests in order to help them make career decisions, including choice of vocation. In addition to AMHCA, the most major professional association for this setting is the National Career Development Association (NCDA).
- Community Mental Health Centers – services can very greatly and include: inpatient, outpatient, court screenings, emergency services, and substance abuse services. Responsibilities also vary and can include: assessment, individual and group counseling, and case management. These practitioners usually join AMHCA.
- Correctional Facilities – mental health issues are very common among prison inmates, and therefore demand for counselors is high. Duties can include assessment, vocational training, crisis intervention, consulting, and referrals for when inmates are released. In addition to AMHCA, counselors in correctional facilities often join the International Association of Addictions and Offenders Counselors (IAAOC).
- Family Service Agencies – there are many community and private agencies that focus on assisting families. Historically these agencies have religious roots, but will treat those of varying religious backgrounds. Here, as well, counselors have a variety of functions, including assessment, case management, family therapy and individual therapy. In addition to AMHCA, these individuals are often members of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
- Gerontological Services – with aging of the population, gerontological services will also be in high demand. Because they are at a different developmental stage than their younger counterparts, older people have different mental health needs. Both prevention and treatment are important, and clients may be dealing with additional stressors such as the loss of a spouse. Other issues include negative stereotypes, physical problems, and loneliness. Settings include nursing homes, senior centers, and other programs for senior citizens. Some graduate programs offer this as a specialty area. In addition to AMHCA, individuals who do this type of work commonly belong to the Association for Adult Development and Aging (AADA).
- EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) – some businesses will hire counselors directly to work with their employees, assisting with areas such as stress management and substance abuse. These counselors commonly join AMHCA.
- Military and Government – military personnel also have mental health needs. Examples of specific settings include military family services and outpatient department of a military hospital. Duties include psycheducation, individual and family counseling. In addition to AMHCA, these individuals commonly join the Association for Counseling and Education in Government (ACEG).
- Pastoral and Religious agencies – these organizations meet the needs of those spiritually or religiously oriented individuals who want to address their mental health needs in the context of their faith. Counselors may be pastoral counselors, who are generally pastors who have some counseling training, or they may simply be licensed practitioners who emphasize spirituality. Pastoral counselors are generally found in church settings, whereas spiritually oriented counselors may be found at agencies or in private practice. In addition to AMHCA, these individuals commonly join the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC) or the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC).
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Barbara LoFrisco
*source: The World of the Counselor: An Introduction to the Counseling Profession by Ed Neukrug, fourth edition.
