Mental Health Counselors

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.

Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.

Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.

Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.

Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.

Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.

Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.

Perform crisis interventions with clients.

Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.

Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.

Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.

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.

Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.

Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.

Collaborate with other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.

Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.

Monitor clients' use of medications.

Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.

Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.

Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.

Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students.

Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.

Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.

Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.