What Is A Mental Health Counselor, And How Can They Help You?

If you are in distress or are having persistent mental health concerns in your life, then it is imperative that you seek treatment. To avoid doing so is to risk the situation growing worse. Finding a mental health counselor is one of the ways that you can seek some relief from whatever is troubling you. 

What is a mental health counselor?

Once licensed, LPCs often work in similar clinical settings to other mental health professionals, like licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), clinical psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). You can read more about the difference between these types of professionals through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which differentiates different types of counselors, clinicians, therapists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrics, mental health nurses, and psychiatric pharmacists. If you are concerned with your emotional wellness, one of these counselors should be able to lend you some valuable assistance by mental health challenges, or you think your wellbeing could be improved, a licensed professional mental health counselor may be a good person to turn to for help.

Like other licensed mental health professionals, counselors work with many different types of groups or individuals. They might specialize in the area of youth services or social services. They may work with combat veterans, the elderly, or cancer patients. They might host support groups. They might focus on those who have been through different traumas or are coping with addiction.

Where they work is often determined by their specialty. For example, a counselor who focuses on children is likely to work in a school. You might also find them in rehab facilities, hospitals, or inpatient facilities. If you are considering career in mental health, imagine yourself working in these fields to see if that’s what you really want. A mental health counselor may also focus on different modalities, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), or interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT).

What leads someone to become a mental health counselor?

Since many people have personal experiences with mental illnesses or other mental health challenges, it's not uncommon for talk therapists to have a personal connection to this field. Maybe they had a parent, a sibling, or a close friend who experienced anxiety, depression, or had a problem with substance use. It could also be that they simply find the work to be interesting. Regardless of whether there were personal reasons involved in this critical career decision, you can expect mental health counselors to be compassionate, caring people.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are experiencing the highest projected employment growth amongst many occupations in mental health. The Bureau of Labor Statistics findings indicate that there is increasing demand for these professionals, which is likely a good sign for people who want to work in the mental health field.

Typical degree requirements for mental health counselors

For those who wish to get into the field of mental health counseling, there are different requirements which depend on the state in which you live. Some states allow professionals who have a bachelor's degree to work in psychology. Clinical health counseling, though, typically requires at least a Master's. This is because clinical mental health professionals in this fieldwork directly with patients and often have a significant impact on their lives. Because of this, it shouldn't be a surprise that they need some specialized education.

What degrees should you look for if you’re researching mental health counselors?

If you are thinking about going to see a mental health counselor, then you are certainly going to want to do extensive research to make sure that you're seeing someone who is well regarded within the industry. Your regular doctor will likely have some recommendations for you, but it helps to look around online and to read some reviews for anyone who has emerged as a possibility.

You should check to make sure that they have graduated from an accredited program. A valuable point of reference will be the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, or CACREP. You can look up where a counselor had their training to figure out if they're properly-suited to work with you.

Generally speaking, you should be looking for your counselor to have a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling, but a Doctorate would be even better. Under no circumstances should you use someone whose credentials can't be verified or which seem suspect in some way. You're going to be receiving advice from this person that you're going to be applying to your life. A significant level of expertise from them is necessary.

What can a mental health counselor do for you?

There are many things that mental health counselors may be able to do to improve your life if you live with a mental health condition. The first thing that's likely to happen is a meeting to determine what exactly is going on with you.

Mental health counselors are trained in interpersonal skills. That means they are going to be watching your body language, and they will be attempting to establish a rapport with you. The idea is to get you to open up. If you don't know what's happening, then the two of you can work to figure it out together.

The best mental health counselors are capable of establishing trust through communication. They will actively listen to what you are saying, and only when they feel that they have fully and accurately assessed the situation, will they begin to offer some guidance or advice.

These mental health counselors will have honed their research skills, and they will have full working knowledge of many different mental and emotional states. Because of this, they will feel comfortable making a diagnosis as to what's happening with you. That diagnosis might take place after the initial meeting between the two of you, but likely multiple sessions will be required.

Various treatment options

Once the two of you have decided what's happening with you mentally and emotionally, then some treatment options are going to be discussed. If what's happening with you is drug addiction or abuse, then the counselor will suggest some ways that you might be able to change your habits. They might want to bring in some other specialists if the situation calls for it. They may want you to go through a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.

If what's happening with you is something like acute anxiety or depression, then they may recommend pharmaceutical intervention. Mental health counselors have a detailed knowledge of what drugs are on the market that can help with various diagnoses, and they may want to bring your doctor in at some point if they feel a consultation is necessary. With a team of physical and mental health professionals behind you, you should be able to come up with the best treatment option based on all the available information that has come to light.

How do you know if you should seek out a mental health counselor?

Some individuals know that they aren't in the best shape mentally because they have difficulty with day-to-day activities like chores, work, and school. If you fall into this, then you might find the impetus to seek out a mental health counselor on your own. If you can barely get out of bed in the morning, if you have regular fights with your friends or relatives, or if you know that you're using recreational drugs excessively, all of those are reasons that you will want to seek help for your mental state.

In other cases, you might not always know or acknowledge that anything is wrong. Your behavior might feel normal, or you might not necessarily believe that you need to seek help. At those times, it might be your family who intervenes to try and get you well. It might be a friend, a teacher, or a religious leader whom you respect who encourages you to seek treatment and counseling.

If that happens, you might have the urge to scoff at their suggestions or to downplay what is happening with you. When you are an adult, no one can force you to seek counseling. However, you should think carefully about how your actions are affecting those around you. Are you hurting your family and those who love you? If so, then you may choose to look into counseling for their sake, if not for yours. 

Couples counseling with a mental health counselor

Though many certified counselors work on a one-on-one basis, there might come a time when you'll want to pursue some counseling with someone who specializes in working with couples, like a licensed marriage and family therapist. If you have a spouse or a partner who is concerned about you, then bringing them in on the healing process is likely going to be what's best for both of you. 

Research has shown that online therapy through services like Regain are just as effective as in-person therapy for a wide range of conditions and concerns. This means that online therapy can be both an effective and affordable alternative for those who cannot find mental health resources locally or who do not want to travel to and from appointments on a rigid schedule.

If you're in this situation, then you may want to utilize an online therapy platform like Regain, which offers both individual and couples counseling. They host a large network of licensed mental health professionals who can listen to what is going on with you and who can make some suggestions as to how you can reach a more stable place in your life. These mental health professionals are available to help through text, phone, and video call, and can meet with you on a flexible schedule to match your needs.