21-1014.00 Bright Outlook

Mental Health Counselors

Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

Career Cluster:Healthcare & Human Services
Job Family:Community and Social Service
Job Zone:Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
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Technology Tools

Microsoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointOracle PeopleSoftMicrosoft Word

Key Tasks

  • Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
  • Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
  • Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others.
  • Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
  • Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
  • Perform crisis interventions with clients.
  • Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
  • Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
  • Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
  • Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
  • Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
  • Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
  • Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students.
  • Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.
  • Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
  • Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
  • Collaborate with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
  • Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.
  • Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.
  • Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.
  • Monitor clients' use of medications.
  • Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.
  • Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.
  • Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
  • Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.
  • Respond to client communications by monitoring voicemail and email, returning phone calls, and making follow-up calls for missed appointments.

Skills

Social Perceptiveness
100%
Active Listening
100%
Speaking
81%
Reading Comprehension
78%
Writing
78%
Critical Thinking
75%
Judgment and Decision Making
75%
Service Orientation
72%
Active Learning
69%
Complex Problem Solving
69%
Monitoring
69%
Persuasion
66%
Learning Strategies
53%
Coordination
50%
Instructing
50%
Time Management
50%
Systems Analysis
50%
Negotiation
50%
Systems Evaluation
50%
Science
44%
Management of Personnel Resources
44%
Operations Analysis
38%
Mathematics
25%
Programming
16%
Operations Monitoring
16%
Management of Financial Resources
16%
Management of Material Resources
13%
Quality Control Analysis
13%
Technology Design
13%
Repairing
0%
Troubleshooting
0%
Installation
0%
Operation and Control
0%
Equipment Selection
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Therapy and Counseling
100%
Psychology
99%
Customer and Personal Service
88%
English Language
83%
Sociology and Anthropology
79%
Education and Training
69%
Administrative
65%
Telecommunications
53%
Philosophy and Theology
49%
Administration and Management
49%
Medicine and Dentistry
47%
Computers and Electronics
47%
Law and Government
47%
Communications and Media
46%
Personnel and Human Resources
41%
Public Safety and Security
41%
Sales and Marketing
37%
Economics and Accounting
33%
Foreign Language
30%
Biology
30%
Mathematics
28%
History and Archeology
24%
Geography
18%
Production and Processing
14%
Transportation
13%
Fine Arts
11%
Engineering and Technology
6%
Chemistry
5%
Design
3%
Physics
1%
Mechanical
0%
Food Production
0%
Building and Construction
0%

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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
97%
Oral Expression
91%
Problem Sensitivity
81%
Deductive Reasoning
78%
Speech Recognition
78%
Inductive Reasoning
78%
Speech Clarity
78%
Written Comprehension
78%
Written Expression
78%
Category Flexibility
66%
Fluency of Ideas
66%
Information Ordering
66%
Originality
60%
Selective Attention
56%
Near Vision
53%
Flexibility of Closure
50%
Speed of Closure
47%
Memorization
47%
Far Vision
41%
Time Sharing
38%
Perceptual Speed
31%
Auditory Attention
28%
Mathematical Reasoning
28%
Visualization
25%
Number Facility
25%
Hearing Sensitivity
19%
Visual Color Discrimination
19%
Reaction Time
16%
Static Strength
16%
Finger Dexterity
16%
Explosive Strength
16%
Trunk Strength
16%
Gross Body Equilibrium
16%
Response Orientation
16%
Gross Body Coordination
16%
Manual Dexterity
13%
Stamina
13%
Wrist-Finger Speed
10%
Extent Flexibility
6%
Multilimb Coordination
6%
Speed of Limb Movement
6%
Dynamic Strength
6%
Spatial Orientation
3%
Rate Control
3%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
0%
Night Vision
0%
Sound Localization
0%
Depth Perception
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Control Precision
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others
97%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
91%
Getting Information
91%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
89%
Documenting/Recording Information
88%
Thinking Creatively
83%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
82%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
82%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
80%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
80%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
79%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
78%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
76%
Coaching and Developing Others
75%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
74%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
73%
Performing Administrative Activities
72%
Working with Computers
72%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
70%
Scheduling Work and Activities
69%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
69%
Processing Information
69%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
67%
Analyzing Data or Information
65%
Training and Teaching Others
63%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
55%
Developing and Building Teams
40%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
40%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
39%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
35%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
31%
Selling or Influencing Others
27%
Staffing Organizational Units
23%
Performing General Physical Activities
15%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
15%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
14%
Handling and Moving Objects
8%
Controlling Machines and Processes
8%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
5%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
2%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
2%

Work Context

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

99%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

97%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

96%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

95%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

91%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

90%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

89%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

89%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

77%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

77%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

73%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

72%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

71%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

70%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

66%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

62%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

62%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

57%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

53%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

52%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

48%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

46%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

45%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

41%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

37%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

30%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

30%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

30%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

25%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

23%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

22%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

21%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

14%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

11%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

9%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

8%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

7%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

6%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

5%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

5%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

4%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

4%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

4%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

3%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

3%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

3%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

3%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

1%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

0%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

0%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

0%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

0%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

0%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

0%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

0%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

0%

Education

Master's degree

89%

Post-master's certificate

7%

Professional degree

4%

Interests

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

96

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

57

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

41

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

34

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

32

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

5

Work Styles

Empathy
100%
Cooperation
99%
Sincerity
96%
Dependability
90%
Stress Tolerance
85%
Self-Control
82%
Social Orientation
79%
Optimism
76%
Integrity
72%
Attention to Detail
71%
Adaptability
68%
Intellectual Curiosity
61%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
61%
Cautiousness
60%
Perseverance
59%
Humility
57%
Self-Confidence
52%
Initiative
51%
Achievement Orientation
47%
Innovation
43%
Leadership Orientation
21%

Work Values

Relationships
89%
Achievement
72%
Independence
72%
Recognition
61%
Working Conditions
53%
Support
33%

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