How do they match: Mental Health Counselors

  • Behavior Support Specialist
  • Mental Health Specialist
  • Mental Health Program Specialist

  • Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
  • Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
  • Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.
  • Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
  • Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
  • Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
  • Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
  • Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
  • Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status.
  • Monitor clients' use of medications.
  • Perform crisis interventions with clients.
  • Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.
  • Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.

  • Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.
  • Collect information about clients.
  • Confer with family members to discuss client treatment plans or progress.
  • Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues.
  • Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
  • Counsel family members of clients or patients.
  • Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.
  • Intervene in crisis situations to assist clients.
  • Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.
  • Maintain client records.
  • Modify treatment plans to accommodate client needs.
  • Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
  • Refer clients to community or social service programs.
  • Supervise workers providing client or patient services.
  • Teach life skills or strategies to clients or their families.