How to Be Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 18, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Mental health and rehabilitation counselors help people with mental illness, substance abuse, or other disabilities to navigate their lives. By providing personalized guidance and support, they can help individuals to identify and address the root causes of their issues, and help them to develop plans to improve their mental health and well-being. In turn, this can have positive effects on their physical health, relationships, and ability to work and function in society. Additionally, mental health and rehabilitation counselors often work in collaboration with other professionals such as doctors and therapists, which can further enhance the recovery of individuals in need.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming a mental health or rehabilitation counselor is to earn an undergraduate degree in a field related to counseling, such as psychology, social work, or counseling.
Complete a Masters Degree Program. After earning an undergraduate degree, individuals must then pursue a masters degree in a counseling-related field, such as mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or marriage and family therapy.
Gain Clinical Experience. Most states require mental health and rehabilitation counselors to have supervised clinical experience before they can be licensed. This experience can be gained through internships, practicums, or field experience programs.
Pass a Licensing Exam. After gaining the necessary experience, mental health and rehabilitation counselors must pass a licensing exam to become certified. This exam is administered by the state in which the counselor plans to work.
Pursue Continuing Education. Most states require mental health and rehabilitation counselors to complete continuing education courses in order to maintain their license.
Get Certified. While certification is not required to become a mental health or rehabilitation counselor, some counselors choose to become certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). This certification requires additional coursework, clinical experience, and a passing score on the NBCC exam.

Staying ahead and efficient as a Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselor requires organization, discipline and focus. When counselors are organized, they are better able to manage their workloads, prioritize tasks, and stay on top of their clients needs. Having a well-structured system in place, such as utilizing technology to keep track of appointments and progress notes, can help counselors stay organized and efficient.

having a clear set of goals and objectives for each case can help counselors stay focused and motivated. Discipline is also critical; counselors need to be able to work hard and stay focused on the tasks at hand in order to reach their goals. Finally, having a positive attitude and an open mind can help counselors stay ahead and efficient as they strive for success with their clients.

You may want to check Vocational Evaluation and Job Placement Specialist/Rehabilitation Counselor, Physical Rehabilitation Counselor, and Senior Rehabilitation Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Mental Health Counselor: Provide counseling services to individuals, couples, families, or groups to help them cope with mental health issues.
Clinical Psychologist: Diagnose and treat mental health issues using a variety of therapeutic techniques.
Psychiatric Nurse: Diagnose and treat mental health issues while providing emotional support to patients.
Social Worker: Help individuals, families, and groups to cope with social and emotional problems.
Substance Abuse Counselor: Help individuals who are struggling with addiction understand the underlying causes of their substance use and develop strategies for successful recovery.
Rehabilitation Counselor: Assist individuals with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities develop skills and strategies for improving their quality of life.
Marriage and Family Therapist: Help couples, families, and other groups improve communication and problem-solving skills to better their relationships.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of psychological theories, counseling techniques, and diagnosis of mental health disorders
Ability to empathize, build trust, and establish therapeutic relationships with clients
Ability to assess mental and emotional functioning of clients
Knowledge of community resources, services, and treatment options
Understanding of the role of family and other support systems in mental health recovery
Ability to develop a treatment plan tailored to the individual client
Ability to collaborate with other professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychologists
Ability to facilitate group counseling sessions
Skill in crisis management and conflict resolution
Understanding of legal and ethical issues in mental health counseling
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in using computer programs and electronic health records technology

Mental health and rehabilitation counselors play a vital role in helping people with mental illness, physical disabilities, and substance abuse issues gain the skills they need to achieve their goals. An important skill that these counselors must possess is the ability to empathize and understand their clients struggles. By being able to relate to their clients experiences, counselors can help individuals develop a trusting relationship which is crucial in order to provide effective counseling.

it is important for counselors to possess strong communication skills so that they can effectively discuss treatment plans, provide resources, and listen to each of their clients individual stories. Lastly, counselors must also be able to connect their clients with community services and resources that will help them along their recovery journey. By having these skills and qualities, mental health and rehabilitation counselors are able to support, guide, and empower those who are struggling with mental health, physical disabilities, and substance abuse issues.

Senior Speech-Language Pathologist/Rehabilitation Specialist, Speech-Language Pathologist/Rehabilitation Specialist, and Rehabilitation Services Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with individuals who have mental health and/or substance abuse issues?
How do you handle difficult situations or conversations when dealing with clients?
Describe a successful intervention you have implemented with a client.
What strategies do you use to build trust with clients?
How do you handle situations when a client does not follow through with their treatment plan?
How do you go about identifying underlying issues that could be causing the client's mental health and/or substance abuse issues?
What methods do you use to develop meaningful relationships with clients?
In what ways do you encourage clients to set and achieve goals?
How do you stay up to date on best practices, treatment options, and other relevant topics in your field?
How do you ensure clients are receiving the most effective treatment plan?

Common Tools in Industry

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals to recognize and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors, and replace them with healthier ones. (e. g. helping a client to recognize the thought patterns that lead to anxiety and replace them with more positive, calming thought processes).
Motivational Interviewing (MI). A counseling style that helps individuals to explore and resolve ambivalence about their behavior, and to move toward change. (e. g. helping a client to identify the pros and cons of their current behavior, and to consider alternatives).
Solution-Focused Therapy. A form of brief therapy that focuses on identifying solutions and creating positive change rather than analyzing problems. (e. g. helping a client to identify achievable goals and create an action plan for achieving them).
Psychodrama. An interactive, group therapy technique that uses role-play and other activities to help individuals explore their feelings, behaviors, and relationships. (e. g. helping a client to explore their feelings about a particular issue through creative activities such as guided improvisation).
Art Therapy. A form of psychotherapy that uses art-making to explore emotions and provide insight into behaviors and relationships. (e. g. helping a client to express their feelings through visual art, such as painting or drawing).
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). A form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on teaching skills to manage emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and decrease self-harming behaviors. (e. g. helping a client to recognize emotional triggers and learn how to respond in a healthy way).
Play Therapy. A type of psychotherapy for children that uses play activities and storytelling to help them communicate feelings, express emotions, and resolve conflicts. (e. g. helping a child to explore their feelings through play activities such as puppetry or pretend scenarios).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Counseling Association (ACA)
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP)
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD)
American Psychological Association (APA)
National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW)
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
International Association for Counseling (IAC)

We also have Senior Occupational Rehabilitation Counselor, Senior Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselor, and Senior Rehabilitation Coordinator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Psychotherapy. A form of treatment that involves talking with a mental health professional to help identify and manage mental health issues.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing patterns of thinking or behavior in order to reduce symptoms of mental health disorders.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). A form of psychotherapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance strategies.
Motivational Interviewing (MI). A counseling technique that helps clients to explore and resolve ambivalence about change by expressing their feelings, values and goals.
Group Therapy. A type of psychotherapy that involves working with a group of people facing similar issues.
Psychoeducation. An educational approach to mental health treatment that focuses on teaching clients about their condition and providing them with resources and strategies to cope.
Crisis Intervention. A short-term form of therapy that focuses on providing immediate support, guidance and care to help manage a crisis situation.
Rehabilitation Counseling. A form of counseling that focuses on helping individuals with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible.
Employment Counseling. A type of counseling that focuses on helping individuals prepare for and obtain employment.
Substance Abuse Counseling. A form of counseling that focuses on helping individuals with substance use disorders to reduce or abstain from using drugs and alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job of a Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselor?

Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselors provide counseling services to individuals and families who are dealing with mental health issues, disabilities, and/or other life challenges. They strive to help their clients improve their mental health, develop coping skills, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

What qualifications are required to become a Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselor?

To become a Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselor, you must have a minimum of a Master's degree in counseling or a closely related field. In addition, many states require licensure or certification in order to practice.

What type of tasks do Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselors typically perform?

Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselors typically assess clients needs, develop treatment plans, and provide individual, group, and family counseling. They may also refer clients to other healthcare professionals and resources, as well as provide crisis intervention services.

What is the average salary of a Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselor?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselors is $46,240 as of May 2020.

What kind of work environment does a Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselor typically work in?

Mental Health/Rehabilitation Counselors typically work in private practice, hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, schools, and other mental health settings. They may also work in residential facilities or in private homes.