PSY 502 - Professional Orientation: Mental Health Counseling

Description:
Professional identity in mental health counseling. Roles and functions of mental health counselors, professional organizations, credentialing, and accreditation, practices, and standards. May be repeated up to 6 credits. Permission by department. Course will be offered every year (Fall).

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: admission to graduate program in mental health counseling.

Credits:
(3)

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Know the history and philosophy of the counseling profession and mental health counseling
List significant factors and events
Describe societal and cultural dimensions and trends in mental health counseling
Outline economic and political dimensions and trends in mental health counseling
Understand the multiple professional roles and functions of counselors across specialty areas, and their relationships with human service and integrated behavioral health care systems, including interagency and interorganizational collaboration and consultation.
Describe assumptions and roles of mental health counseling professional
List professional functions
Describe functions and relationships among interdisciplinary treatment teams and with other human service providers
Outline the historical, organizational, legal, and fiscal dimensions of public and private mental health care systems
Describe counselors’ roles and responsibilities as members of interdisciplinary community outreach and emergency management response teams
Describe current labor market information relevant to opportunities for practice within the counseling profession.
Describe the impact of technology on the counseling process and profession.
Describe the role and benefits of professional organizations related to mental health counseling
Describe preparation standards, and credentials relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling
Describe preparation standards
Describe professional credentialing, including certification, licensure
Outline accreditation practices and standards
Know legislation and government policy relevant to clinical mental health counseling
Describe public policy issues relevant to counseling practice, credentialing, and accreditation
Describe the role and process of the professional counselor in advocating on behalf of the profession
Outline advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients

Anticipated Course Offering Terms and Locations: