1. Exploring Becoming a Mental Health Counselor
Presented by:
Jim Messina, Ph.D. , NCC, CCMHC

2. What are the Hallmarks of a Profession?
Professional Membership Organization
Code of Ethics
Research into Effectiveness of Service Delivery
Certification and Licensure
Accreditation

3. The National Professional Association of Mental Health Counselors
American Mental Health
Counselors Association

4. Suncoast Chapter of FMHCA
Florida Chapter of AMHCA
Suncoast Chapter of FMHCA

5. Association AMHCA Belongs to
American Counseling Association

6. CODES OF ETHICS Governing Mental Health Counselors

7. Research in the field is Reported in AMHCA’s Journal

8. AMHCA’s Online Newsletter

9. National Certification

10. Two National Certifications
NCC: National Certified Counselor – Over 48,000
CCMHC: Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor – Over 1,000 are CCMHC’s

11. State Licensure-FL 491License Board
In Florida
7, Licensed Mental Health Counselors
1,545 Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists
10,070 Licensed Social Workers
In USA
120,429 Licensed Professional Counselors
54, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists
202,924 Licensed Social Workers

12. Accreditation-CACREP
74 Graduate Programs in the USA are CACREP approved in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
In Florida they are:
Argosy Sarasota
Barry University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Florida State University
Rollins College
Troy University Southeast Region: Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Walton Beach, Panama City & Pensacola
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of North Florida
University of South Florida
Online:
Cappella University
Walden University

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Where does one get Mental Health Counseling training?
CACREP accredited Mental Health Counseling Graduate programs either
in person on ground or
Online or
Hybrid mix of on ground and online

20. 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!

21. Any Questions?