What's A Mental Health Counselor And How To Find One

Many individuals have an idea of what counseling might look like or what a counselor does. However, the counseling career can be as unique as those working in it. Counselors can offer mental health advice, education, and training in various therapeutic methods and specialties. In addition, a client does not have to have a mental illness or severe symptoms to see a counselor. 

If you're considering making an appointment with a guidance counselor, it can be beneficial to know what their job entails and how to find one near you.

What Is A Counselor? 

A counselor is a mental health professional providing guidance, counseling, and support to clients experiencing a vast range of concerns, including mental illness, distressing symptoms, stress, life changes, relationship concerns, and other issues. They have at least a master's degree in clinical counseling, psychology, or a related area. Although counselors focus on mental health, they can offer advice for more than mental illness. Many counselors offer career, school, and life guidance. 

The Criteria For Becoming A Counselor 

Mental health counselors differ from coaches and other professionals offering advice due to their professional training. They are required to obtain a master's degree or higher, a certain number of clinical hours of training, and a state license, which requires a licensing exam. In addition, many counselors must keep up on continued education courses to ensure they receive the most accurate and up-to-date research contents. 

Aside from a thorough academic understanding of mental health concerns, counselors must uphold an ethical code. Many follow the official American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethics or the American Psychological Association (APA) version. These professionals are trained not to allow personal bias to impact how they treat clients. 

Ways Counselors Make A Difference 

Below are a couple of the duties and responsibilities of a counselor. 

Separating Self From Career 

Professional counselors are trained not to allow their personal beliefs to affect their relationships with their clients negatively. Instead, they offer bias-free assistance as the client meets their goals. For this reason, counselors may not give opinions or talk about their personal lives. Instead, they might consider how a mental health counselor can help them make informed decisions. 

If an ethical issue arises, the professional may pay attention to how their personal beliefs affect the client's goals. In some cases, counselors may choose to end the therapeutic relationship if they believe it might negatively impact the client's mental health progress. 

Advocating For Their Clients  

Mental health counselors often work as advocates for their clients. For example, a client might experience injustice or a challenging situation requiring support. In these incidences, their provider can advocate for their needs, help them find resources, or discuss their concerns. 

With a legal release form, counselors can communicate with a client's other providers to ensure a complete health plan is formed. They might also suggest referrals or other treatments. At the same time, counselors help their clients learn how to advocate for themselves. If they struggle to make decisions, form plans, or ensure success, the counselor can teach them coping mechanisms and help them form long-term plans. 

What Are The Different Types Of Counselors?

There are various types of counselors, including the following: 

• LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• MSW: Master of Social Work
• LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• LCMHC: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
• MFCC: Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor
• CADC: Certified Alcohol And Drug Counselor
• CAC: Certified Addiction Counselor 

You can also find school guidance counselors, career counselors, and counselors working in a specialty like depression or anxiety. School counselors often work in K-12 schools or universities and may offer college application guidance, bullying support, and academic guidance. A career counselor may help clients apply for jobs, take aptitude tests, or learn their professional strengths. 

According to the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHC), clinical mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change. 

How To Choose A Counselor 

Therapists and counselors are trained to work with diverse experiences. In addition, there are various specialties counselors can consider. For example, a licensed marriage and family therapist can help clients seeking relationship guidance. Counselors can also practice various therapy modalities, including popular forms of treatment like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or trauma-informed counseling. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, choosing a mixture of support providers personalized to your needs can be essential. For example, someone might see a psychiatrist for medication and a counselor for symptom support. Others might attend a weekly support group and meet with a counselor afterward to discuss their experiences. 

When looking for a counselor, it can be beneficial to note that psychiatrists or medical doctors are the only type of mental health provider who can prescribe medication management and monitoring services to clients. Some counselors may offer diagnoses, while others might not. Often, official psychological testing is done by a psychologist or psychiatrist with a doctorate.                 

Counseling Options 

There are various options available to those looking for a counselor. For example, you can ask your doctor for a referral, make an appointment at a local mental health clinic, search for counselors online, or ask friends and family for references. However, in-person counseling can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful for many. You can also try online counseling if you're unsure about visiting a provider in person. 

With online therapy, you can attend sessions from home at an affordable cost. In addition, you can choose whether you meet with your therapist over the phone, via video, or through live chat sessions. One study on internet-based therapy for bipolar disorder found that 95% of clients reported an increased quality of life after treatment, more so than the control group or those who attended in-person therapy.  

If you're interested in speaking with a counselor online, many platforms are available, including BetterHelp for individuals, and ReGain for couples. Both platforms offer over 30,000 therapist options, with counselors specializing in various mental health concerns and types of therapy.