How to Be Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 18, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The increasing demand for mental health services has caused a rise in the need for qualified mental health counselors. As a result, the number of Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns has grown significantly in recent years. These professionals are required to complete a master's degree program in counseling, pass a comprehensive exam, and meet any state-mandated requirements.

With this education, they gain the knowledge and skills needed to provide counseling services that support clients with mental health issues. The intern also benefits from supervised field experience, which helps them develop their counseling skills and prepares them to become a Registered Mental Health Counselor. As a result, they are equipped to offer quality mental health services to their clients and help them improve their overall wellbeing.

Steps How to Become

Earn an undergraduate degree in a mental health field. You must hold a bachelors degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field in order to become a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI).
Complete a Master's degree program. To become an RMHCI, you must hold a master's degree in counseling or mental health from an accredited college or university.
Obtain supervised experience. You must complete at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in mental health counseling under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. This experience must take place over the course of at least two years.
Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE). The NCE is a comprehensive online exam that tests your knowledge of the counseling profession. You must pass the exam in order to become an RMHCI.
Apply for the RMHCI. Once you have met all of the requirements for becoming an RMHCI, you must submit an application to the state licensing board in which you wish to practice. The application will include information about your educational and professional background, as well as your NCE score.
Receive your license. After your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive your RMHCI license. You can then begin practicing as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in the state in which you are licensed.

Mental health counseling requires both knowledge of the underlying mental health conditions and the associated therapeutic techniques, as well as the skill to implement them. Becoming a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern requires a commitment to learning and practice. To become skilled and capable, an individual must complete a masters degree in mental health counseling.

They must then take and pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). This exam tests their knowledge, skills, and abilities in providing clinical mental health counseling services. they must meet other requirements, such as supervised clinical experience, professional ethics courses, and continuing education.

With dedication and hard work, a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern can become a skilled and capable provider of mental health counseling services.

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Job Description

Provide individual, couples, family, and group counseling services to individuals with mental health concerns.
Develop treatment plans and provide short-term therapy interventions.
Assess client needs and collaborate with other mental health professionals to coordinate care.
Participate in case conferences and interdisciplinary treatment teams.
Monitor client progress and adjust interventions accordingly.
Maintain accurate and complete client records in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Develop relationships with referral sources and collaborate with community agencies.
Facilitate psycho-educational workshops and support groups.
Educate clients and their families about mental health issues and available services.
Advocate for clients to ensure their rights and access to necessary resources.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors in mental health counseling.
Develop and maintain a working relationship with clients.
Assess client needs using appropriate assessment tools and techniques.
Develop individualized treatment plans based on assessment results and client goals.
Facilitate the clients progress in meeting his/her goals through therapeutic interventions.
Monitor and evaluate client progress on treatment plans.
Provide crisis intervention services as needed.
Educate clients about mental health issues and available resources for support.
Refer clients to other professionals as needed.
Document all client sessions and interventions.
Participate in clinical supervision and professional development activities.

Good communication skills are one of the most important skills to have for a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. Effective communication allows the intern to build strong relationships with clients, resist potential conflicts, and better understand the needs and concerns of those seeking counseling. communication skills are essential for successful collaboration with other professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychologists.

Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and create a barrier between the intern and the client, which can impede progress in counseling. To prevent this, it is important for the intern to be able to build trusting relationships with clients, convey accurate information in a concise manner, and be an active listener. Knowing how to effectively communicate will help the intern to better understand their clients and develop successful plans for treatment.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with clients with mental health issues?
How do you handle challenging situations with clients?
What strategies do you use to build rapport with clients?
How do you stay up-to-date on new developments in the mental health field?
What techniques do you use to help clients develop insight into their behavior or thinking patterns?
How do you address ethical considerations when working with clients?
Can you describe a time when you overcame an obstacle in your work with a client?
What inspired you to pursue a career as a mental health counselor?
How do you ensure that your counseling sessions remain confidential?
How do you assess whether a client is making progress toward their goals?

Common Tools in Industry

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping people identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior. (eg: helping a client challenge negative thought patterns that are contributing to anxiety).
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT is a form of psychotherapy designed to help people develop better strategies for managing difficult emotions, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal relationships. (eg: teaching a client skills such as mindful self-awareness and distress tolerance).
Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI is a counseling approach designed to help people explore and resolve ambivalence about making a change in their lives. (eg: exploring why a client might not want to engage in treatment).
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help process traumatic memories. (eg: processing a traumatic memory in order to reduce symptoms of PTSD).
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). SFT is a form of therapy that focuses on the present and future, helping clients identify solutions to their current problems. (eg: helping a client set achievable goals and create an action plan for achieving them).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Counseling Association
American Mental Health Counselors Association
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
National Board for Certified Counselors
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development
Association of Rehabilitation Counselors
Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors
American Association of Christian Counselors
American School Counselor Association

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Common Important Terms

Mental Health Counselor. A professional who provides mental health counseling services to individuals, families, and groups. They help people understand, manage, and resolve mental health issues.
Supervised Clinical Experience. Clinical experience supervised by a professional mental health counselor under the supervision of the state regulatory board. This experience is necessary to become a licensed mental health counselor.
Professional Ethics. A code of conduct that governs the behavior of mental health counselors in their professional practice. It outlines standards for behavior and practice and helps ensure that clients are protected and receive high-quality care.
Mental Health Assessment. A process used to evaluate a person's mental health status. It includes gathering information from the patient, family members, and other professionals, as well as conducting tests, observations, and interviews.
Psychotherapy. A type of treatment that uses psychological techniques to help people better manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can be used to treat a wide range of mental health issues.
Diagnosis. A process used to identify a mental health disorder and determine the best course of treatment. It involves collecting information from the patient, family members, and other professionals, as well as conducting tests, observations, and interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern?

A Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI) is a professional in the mental health field who has completed their educational requirements and is working towards full licensure. The RMHCI is supervised by a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and is responsible for providing counseling services to individuals, couples, and families.

What qualifications are needed to become a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern?

To become a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, an individual must hold a masters degree in counseling or a related field, have completed at least two years of post-masters supervised clinical experience, pass a national examination, and meet the standards of the National Board of Certified Counselors.

How long does it take to become a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern?

The amount of time it takes to become a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern varies depending on an individuals circumstances. Generally, it takes two to three years to complete the educational requirements and supervised clinical experience necessary for licensure.

What types of mental health services can a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern provide?

A Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern can provide counseling services such as individual, family, and couples therapy, as well as assessments and referrals. They may also provide crisis intervention, psychotherapy, group therapy, and case management services.

What is the difference between a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor?

The main difference between a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor is that the RMHCI is not licensed and must be supervised by a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. The Licensed Mental Health Counselor has met all the educational, clinical, and ethical requirements to provide independent mental health services.