Education
True or False - You only need a high school diploma to become a mental health therapist or counselor?
False.
You need:
a high school diploma
a Bachelor's degree
a Master's degree
Skill # 1
Listening
For what is said.
But more importantly: What is not said.
Best part #1
I get to choose my own schedule and hours
When you are feeling blue, slow-moving, heavy, exhausted, sad, and numb.
Depression
I help everyone.
False.
Only people who are ready to change with therapy will. Some think they are ready, and realize they are not.
Sometimes I am not the right therapist for someone, and that's ok. They will find someone who is a better fit, and I will not take it personally.
This course is where you learn about how well research participants are doing with treatment, and it involves numbers and math formulas.
Statistics
Skill # 2
Observing with a keen eye.
Body language.Maybe it does not match their content, or what they are saying, or what they say they are feeling.
Best part #2
I can help people make positive choices that lead to positive changes in their lives
When you have racing thoughts and are worried about a future event or an unpredictable one.
Anxiety
This is a demanding job.
True.
But also very rewarding.
It takes a lot of mental energy to be a good listener all day, but I learn just as much from my clients as I do helping them heal
This course is all about different ways you could think about and conduct therapy according to mental health philosophy? Hint = Science
Theories of Mental Health Counseling
Skill # 3
Asking the right questions.
Mostly open-ended. Very few questions where they can only answer yes or no.
Best part # 3
I also learn and grow through helping others.
Feelings of overwhelm.
Where you cannot possibly fit one more thing into your life because it's too much.
Stress
I tell people what to do and how to live their lives.
False.
We collaborate on therapy goals, and work together on meeting them. The client decides how they will change, grow, and live, and as their therapist, I give them space and time to do that.
This course is designed to teach budding mental health counselors how to do effective things, or "interventions," during therapy sessions.
Techniques in Counseling
Skill # 4
Holding Space & Empathy
...for people to express themselves and thier difficult emotions, without judgment or problem-solving.
Best part #4
I get to take my natural abilities and talents and apply them to this profession that I enjoy.
When you have gone through a significant, stressful event that you find hard not to think about. These events have long-term consequences on your brain.
Trauma
This is mostly a fun profession.
False.
Sometimes it can be.
But it can also be quite serious. You need to have thick skin to withstand the responsibility of holding other people's mental health.
This course is designed to teach budding mental health counselors how to effectively counsel people who are different from their own culture.
Multicultural Counseling Strategies
Skill # 5
Planning
Basing on what you hear and see, you will plan the direction you want to go during the next session.
Best part #5
Collaborating with clients to help them reach thier personal goals for healing and growth.
When one has a long-term disorder, or "adaptation" due to things they suffered in childhood, it becomes a part of who they are, and how they structure thier life.
Personality "Disorder"
Each day is different.
True!
No two days are alike.
You never know which direction clients will take you, and every client has different needs and emotions each session.