Mental+Health+Therapist


 * Category:** (** ﻿Allied Health) **


 * Career**: Mental Health Therapist

Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental health. May help individuals deal with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; suicide; stress management; problems with self-esteem; and issues associated with aging and mental and emotional health.
 * Job Description:**
 * || =[[image:http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQyoLY3B6pqpD8gnckf-KIMIZR0w2-bjteSELOFQdVrAmkSvNJ1 width="294" height="171"]] = ||

In order to become a licensed mental health counselor in most states, a master's degree is required. Schools offer master's degrees in counseling, psychology and other related mental health fields. Admissions requirements into a master's degree program generally include completion of a bachelor's degree and obtaining a minimum score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Curricula for master's degree programs in the mental health fields may encompass classes such as cognitive psychology, counseling psychology and professional ethics.
 * Educational Requirements:**

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 * Colleges or Universities Programs of Study:**
 * University of Phoenix :**
 * The art of Institutes:**
 * Walden University:**
 * USC:**
 * Capella University:**
 * Strayer University:**

Employment is expected to grow fast than average for all occupations. Projected job growth varies by specialty, but job opportunities should be favorable because job openings are expected to exceed the number of graduates from counseling programs, especially in rural areas. Employment change. Overall employment of counselors is expected to increase by 18 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations. However, growth is expected to vary by specialty. Employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is expected to grow by 21 percent, which is much faster than average for all occupations. As society becomes more knowledgeable about addiction, more people are seeking treatment. Furthermore, drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than to jail. [] //**Supporting Research: Mental Health Therapist..will**// Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment. Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, and help them to develop insight into themselves and their relationships. Guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems. Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports. Counsel clients and patients, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes. Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, and tests. Act as client advocates in order to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge. Collaborate with other staff members to perform clinical assessments and develop treatment plans. Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition based on review of client information. Meet with families, probation officers, police, and other interested parties in order to exchange necessary information during the treatment process. Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary. Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients. Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs and clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives. Plan, organize and lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation and social activities for clients. Modify treatment activities and approaches as needed in order to comply with changes in clients' status. Learn about new developments in their field by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, and establishing and maintaining contact with other social ervice agencies. Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy. Gather information about community mental health needs and resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy. Monitor clients' use of medications. Supervise other counselors, social service staff, and assistants. Plan and conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health and counseling services. Run workshops and courses about mental health issues.
 * Salary Range:**
 * ~ In USD as of Sep 11, 2011 ||~ 25k ||~ 50k ||~ 75k ||
 * > == __ [|Mental Health Counselor] __ == ||= $41,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Mental Health Therapist Mst] __ == ||= $68,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Behavioral Health Counselor] __ == ||= $22,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Community Mental Health Counselor] __ == ||= $59,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Marriage And Family Therapist] __ == ||= $69,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Milieu Counselor] __ == ||= $51,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|LVN Pact] __ == ||= $39,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Field Relations Coordinator] __ == ||= $29,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Psy Specialty Counselor] __ == ||= $44,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Assistant Sales Representative] __ == ||= $30,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Habilitation Counselor] __ == ||= $36,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Junior Marketing Manager] __ == ||= $31,000 ||||||  ||
 * > == __ [|Health Service Consultant] __ == ||= $53,000 ||||||  ||
 * Future Job Outlook**:
 * Source:**