Skip navigation

Mental Health Counselors - 21-1014.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Therapist
  • Counselor
  • Correctional Counselor
  • Mental Health Therapist
  • Case Manager
  • Mental Health Specialist
  • Behavior Support Specialist (BSS)
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Mental Health Program Specialist
  • Child Care Counselor

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

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

Detailed Work Activities

  • advise clients in emergency situations
  • analyze psychological testing data
  • assess therapy needs of patients
  • assist clients in understanding personal or interactive problems
  • coordinate social service activities with resource providers
  • counsel individuals with personal problems
  • develop community programs
  • develop treatment plans
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • empathize with others during counseling or related services
  • evaluate client progress against measurable recorded goals
  • evaluate patient response to therapy
  • follow confidentiality procedures
  • follow patient observation procedures
  • manage detailed case records in a social work setting
  • monitor client progress
  • obtain information from individuals
  • plan therapy treatment program
  • recognize physical or emotional abuse
  • record client's personal data
  • refer clients to community services or resources
  • relate to clients' socioeconomic conditions
  • use agency mission as a guideline in social services delivery
  • use behavior modification techniques
  • use conflict resolution techniques
  • use counseling techniques
  • use current social research
  • use grief counseling techniques
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use intervention techniques
  • use interviewing procedures
  • work with persons with mental disabilities or illnesses

Military Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Bereavement Counselor