Premium Essay

Accountability and Outcomes in the Counseling Profession

In:

Submitted By sgrhogurl
Words 574
Pages 3
Accountability and Outcomes in the Counseling Profession
Tiffany Simpson
Walden University Treatment Outcomes and Accountability related to Clients, Counselors, and Third-party payers By law, mental health counselors are required to keep detailed records of their interventions and counseling sessions in order to keep their care records secure and receive third-party reimbursements (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). A counselor’s role is to make sure that the clients that they assist has the proper treatment plan assigned to them. If they are helping someone that is schizophrenic, then it is the counselor’s responsibility to refer them with the right medications to help them. The counselor is held accountable for their actions whether right or wrong, so they have to provide evidence proving that they are knowledgeable of their work. For the mental health profession, the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA) should be honored at all times in order for any counselor is able to keep their license to counsel. Most clients want to be able to trust their counselors because they are confiding their personal information to them in private. If a counselor is held accountable for their research or sessions, then there needs to be available research to back them up for integrity reasons.
Outcomes, Accountability, Needs Assessment, and Program Evaluation related to stakeholders and the profession According to Erford (2010), the needs assessments are used to help professional counselors understand the needs of various sub-populations of a community (p. 364). When there are assessments that are being conducted then the results needs to be accurate with the information being presented. Sometimes the results do not match up with the research which the validity of the entire assessment has to be questioned.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Life of a Counselor

...Life of a Counselor Coun. 6100-9, Introduction to Mental Health Counseling Kevin Feisthamel Pattie Smith November 13, 2014 Life of a Counselor As a mental health counselor one can choose what theories of practice they follow or they can have an eclectic combination of theories they utilize determined by the client and what their needs are. The professional counselor can choose what demographic of the population they want to work with and specialize in that. Or the professional counselor can broaden their practice and work with all different clients, experiencing encounters with different ages of people with different diagnosis. The truth is that a day in the life of a counselor is like no other day before. Days are always changing and there are new experiences with each client. When speaking with Dana Woods LPC, she shared what her days were like. She does in-home care as well as holding clinic hours twice a week and helping in a free or reduced-cost clinic. She travels about 3000 miles a month in order to go into areas that have little access to counseling and provides service for the rural clients. She sees both adults and children, mostly of adolescent age. They all have different issues that take different styles of counseling, however she stated that she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with many of her clients. A typical day for Dana would be checking in at the office for messages and reviewing the files of the clients that she is scheduled...

Words: 3322 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Personal Accountability Of Rena's Personal Accountaability

...When dealing with accountability Rena handles more personal accountability most of the paperwork is done by the psychologist on staff. Personal accountability for Rena focuses on communication with clients, and the setting of boundaries with those clients. Boundaries are very important because it is what keeps a counselor safe. Once a boundary is set “I do not let my clients push boundaries with me that is how accidents happen. (Rogers)” In her line of work her clients will test their limits to see what they can get away with, and if they smell weakness they will take advantage of it. This will be detrimental to client, the bond with the counselor, and can have dangerous outcomes. Sometimes clients can get the best of their counselors and...

Words: 1386 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Effective Counseling

...their opinions. Counseling is the application of mental health, psychological or human development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic intervention strategies, that address wellness, personal growth, or career development, as well as pathology. Thus counseling focuses on helping people make changes unlike guidance that focuses on helping individuals choose what they value most. Therefore a counselor is a person who gives counsel or advice. Counselors work in diverse community settings designed to provide a variety of counseling, rehabilitation, and support services. Their duties vary greatly, depending on their specialty, which is determined by the setting in which they work and the population they serve. Although the specific setting may have an implied scope of practice, counselors frequently are challenged with children, adolescents, adults, or families that have multiple issues, such as mental health disorders and addiction, disability and employment needs, school problem or career counseling needs, and trauma. Counselors must recognize these issues in order to provide their clients with appropriate counseling and support. As a counselor you need to have patience with your clients as they process the discussion. It may take them time to accept certain things and to move towards positive changes. Some people need to discuss something many times before they are prepared to make a move in any particular direction. Keywords: counseling, characteristics...

Words: 2063 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Interview an Mft

...Final Project: Interview, Day in the Life of a Counselor, and Reflection The purpose of this paper is to introduce an interview with a Marriage Family Therapists, since in the state of California we do not have as yet Mental Health Counselor. The interview is about the viewpoint of the therapist regarding certain questions. The paper will be formatted in APA style Section I: Summary of Mental Health Counselor Interview Juliet Velarde Betita, MFT who is located in Santa Barbara California. Ms.Betita currently has a license (License 18740) that is updated in good standard in the field of Marriage and Family therapy. Ms. Betita has a private practice in Santa Barbara and she also works for the Juvenile Hall here in Santa Barbara. Differences between Social Workers, Psychologists, and Counselors According to Ms. Betita MFT approaches relationships, conflicts within the relationship, and the individual self. Social worker has many different roles which includes case management, therapists, and administration position. Social worker can also run nonprofit organization and have a private practice. Psychologists can also serve in individual, couple, and group therapy. Psychologists administrate assessments from neurological ones to behavior. They also interpret the assessments and write up the results. An example would be if a judge feels that a juvenile needs one, the judge will asked the Psychologist to do one before giving his judgment on the juvenile. The psychologist will...

Words: 2994 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Legal Issues in Human Services

...A Conflict for Counselors Crystal Anderson University of Phoenix BSHS/332 Professional, Ethical, and Legal issues in Human Services Audra Stinson October 8, 2012 A counselor’s perspective Social workers study psychological and sociological aspects of counseling. It is believed by some professionals, work performed by practitioners considered technically guided from their educational experience. There is communication abroad that suggests most or nearly every social worker develops ethical practices from their training or state licensing boards. During therapeutic involvement counselors explore various methods of intervention tactics learned. However, it is other viewpoints critical for the development of each therapist style. This paper examines the development of this counselor’s personal values, ground rules, and ethics in a professional setting. The main focus describes viewpoints of the counselor’s perspectives, the effects, and sources, which contributed to these notions. This paper further explains the counselor decisions in ethical practices. Moreover, primarily counselors are responsible for the entire treatment process for their clients. This relationship often entails a variety of settings, such as private...

Words: 2183 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Healthcare Credentialing

...I believe all healthcare professionals should be licensed in their own discipline, assuring that they have met educational requirements, received a minimal number of hours of training, and passed the exams. Licensing is a mandatory credentialing process established by a state government board and requires us to meet the set standards. State boards write healthcare credentialing and scope of practice laws to protect the public (Allen, 2013). These laws sets the legal boundaries that each profession is authorized to perform. Today, to alleviate the stress resulting from the presence of sicker patients, fewer RNs and numerous cost and budgetary restrictions, healthcare organizations are utilizing the services of unlicensed assistive personnel...

Words: 575 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

School Counseling Collaborative Model

...Professional Identity The school counseling profession has evolved over time into a collaborative model. This collaborative model involves teachers, school administrators, parents, counselors, other school personal, and community stakeholders. The first guidance program was developed in 1895. In 1926 New York became the first state to require guidance workers to be certified; in 1929 New York became the first state to have full time guidance workers. In 1952 the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) was established, now known as American Counseling Association (ACA). In 1952 The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) was established. In 1958 the National Defense Education Act was passed, which increased training and hiring of school counselors. In 1964 NDEA Title A was passed, providing counseling to elementary schools. In 1997 ASCA published their National Standards, providing benchmarks for student’s competency in academic, career, and personal/social domains. In 2003 the ASCA National Model was published as a framework for school counseling programs it was revised in 2005 and 2012 (Erford, 2015). The collaborative model of school counseling is a cooperative process where the school counselor “helps others in the school community to think through problems and to develop skills that make them more effective in working with student” (Erford, 2015, p.35). Through this model the school counselor partners with parents, educators, and community resources and organizations...

Words: 5751 - Pages: 24

Free Essay

Sbspc

...Solution-focused, Short-term Pastoral Counseling Scenario Matthew J. Howard Liberty University Abstract The Final Project applies the distinctive features of a solution-based, short-term pastoral counseling strategy to a counseling scenario with a pre-determined care-seeker. It is the objective of this student to simulate an abridged counseling process with Josh, from the case study Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness. The student counselor is presented with many opportunities to provide “pastor” counseling and advice and this project demonstrates a rudimentary progression toward successful solution based outcomes. The student counselor currently is involved in men’s ministries and leads small connection groups for Grace Crossing Church and well as the founder of Restoring Men through Christ online ministry (restoringmenthroughchrist.com). This student’s hallmark purpose to mimic the character of Jesus in all circumstances and relationships guided his application of the solution-based, short-term counseling strategy and the alignment of his relational style with that of the care-seeker to collaboratively reach the goals established by the care-seeker Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………..2 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………....4 Phase One………………………………………………………………………………………...5 Josh’s Counseling Session: Phase One………………………………………………………......6 Phase Two………………………………………………………………………………………...8 Josh’s Counseling Session: Phase Two…………………………………………………………...

Words: 4815 - Pages: 20

Premium Essay

Dasdas

...USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT TEAMBUILDING: A STRATEGIC LEADER IMPERATIVE by Colonel Christopher J. Putko United States Army Doctor Craig Bullis Project Adviser This SRP is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The U.S. Army War College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 662-5606. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The views expressed in this student academic research paper are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. U.S. Army War College CARLISLE BARRACKS, PENNSYLVANIA 17013 Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations...

Words: 6612 - Pages: 27

Free Essay

Human Services Delivery

...validity…………………………………………………………………..……9 10.0 Use of data from the evaluation…………………………………………………...….9 11.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………....10 References………………………………………………………………………………….…11 Human Services Program 1.0 Introduction Human services delivery refers to a broad and unique approach to meeting human needs and their respective objectives, Woodside & McClam (2002).According to Larson (2004), it requires the use of a unique interdisciplinary approach that mainly focuses on prevention and remediation of problems. The secret for a successful human services delivery is improving the quality of life by simply being committed, Gilbert (2008). This profession mainly improves service delivery systems by addressing quality, accountability, accessibility and coordination of stakeholders whose profession is services delivery, Finn (2000). Community support skills are must have prerequisites for professionals who have specialized in human services delivery. These essentials provide vivid descriptions of workers responsibilities, such responsibilities or roles are based on competencies. These include advocacy, empowerment of the participants and community networking. These skills in turn provide the trainers, policy makers and educators with a comprehensive action based plan for...

Words: 2490 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Asdfghj

...|Ethics Case Studies—Learning Application of the 2009 ADA/CDR Code of |[pic] | |Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics | | |Case Study #1: A registered dietitian (RD) is newly employed as part of a treatment team in an ambulatory care setting. After several | |counseling sessions, one of the clients he is counseling for obesity discloses that she is being physically abused by her spouse and is | |experiencing depression. The RD continues to have the client come in for nutrition counseling sessions in an attempt to better understand | |the relationships among her current domestic situation, psychological state and weight issues. During a treatment team meeting, the RD | |reports on the client and is questioned by one of the team members about why he did not refer the client to the mental health professional. | |What should be done in this situation? | |Questions for Discussion | |Is the situation described an ethical issue? Or, is it a business dispute? It is an ethical issue. | |What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it...

Words: 9616 - Pages: 39

Premium Essay

Paper

...People learn to practice professional skills within the Human Services Arena. There are man challenges that include systematic and programmatic approaches that effect ethical challenges. The research provide a verity of ethical and unique integration on many levels. These levels give a broad view of the impact that Human Services has on our communities and our nation. In the following pages I will discuss the past and present purposes of Human Service Practice's. The human services field has many facets that I will examine such as (1) history (2), goals that have been researched and (3) general practices. Including theoretical deliberations that are present, common intervention strategies that have been used and ethical considerations when counseling takes place. History of Human Services In the Human Services field professionals work together on helping individuals in the basic need of life such as health, clothing, food safety, health, and shelter. Human service professionals will also face mental and emotional issues."[pic]During the late 1950s and 1960s, there were[pic] several [pic]changes in the area of helping[pic] individuals [pic]in need. Populations like the[pic] substance abuser, [pic]unemployed, children in need,[pic] poor individuals, children in need, elderly, disabled, the poor and others began to be recognize the as need to have social and rehabilitation services. [pic]In 1956 The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), provided[pic] sources [pic]to establish the...

Words: 1928 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Ethical Responsibility in Pharmacy

...Ethical Responsibility in Pharmacy Practice Robert A. Buerki, Ph.D. Professor Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administration The Ohio State University Louis D. Vottero, M.S. Professor of Pharmacy Emeritus Ohio Northern University American Institute of the History of Pharmacy Madison, Wisconsin 2002 Acknowledgments: Pages 208-10: "Principles of Medical Ethics" and "Fundamental Elements of the Patient-Physician Relationship," reprinted with permission from the Code of Medical Ethics, American Medical Association, © 1994 and © 2000. AMA logo reprinted with the permission of the American Medical Association. © 2002 American Medical Association. Usage of the AMA logo does not imply an endorsement of the non-AMA material found in this book. Page 211: "Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements," reprinted with permission from the American Nurses Association, © 2001 American Nurses Publishing, American Nurses Foundation/American Nurses Association, Washington, D.C. Pages 212-15: "A Patient's Bill of Rights," reprinted with permission of the American Hospital Association, © 1992. Pages 216-17: "Pharmacy Patient's Bill of Rights," reprinted with permission of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. On the cover: The "triad of medical care" has been the basis for the ethical relationship between the pharmacist, the physician, and the patient for centuries. In the background, an early depiction of the triad from Book 7 of the encyclopedia...

Words: 13329 - Pages: 54

Free Essay

Eaps

...Employee Assistance Programs are benefit programs, designed to help employees face personal problems that might negatively impact their work performance, health, or overall well-being. The personal issues for which Employee Assistance Programs provide support vary, but can include, alcoholism, substance abuse, emotional distress, major life events such as births, accidents, and death, health complications, family and relationship dynamics, and work environment concerns. A 2008 study from the Families and Work Institute found that 65% of employers provided EAPs in 2008, an increase from 56% in 1998 (Dargan, 2010). Employee Assistance Programs generally include a variety of services such as situation assessment, short-term psychological counseling and referral services to specialists if needed. Employers choose to provide this benefit to their employees for many different reasons, ranging from the desire to support their employees and their family members, accepting the evidence that healthy employees make for a more productive workplace, and protecting themselves from liability and legal issues (Jacobson, 2010). An Employee Assistance Program's basic services are usually funded by the employer so that associates and their families can utilize them free of charge. Most offer employees between three and ten sessions with a trained counselor or adviser. The employer negotiates services based on per-employee charges which range from $12.00 to $30.00 per calendar year. The cost...

Words: 2816 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Evidenced Based

...1 Evidence-Based Counseling Interventions With Children of Divorce: Implications for Elementary School Counselors Marianne E. Connolly Johns Hopkins University Eric J. Green The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Evidence-Based Counseling 2 Abstract Parental divorce has become increasingly common for large numbers of families in schools (Lamden, King, & Goldman, 2002). This article addresses the effects of divorce on children and protective factors supporting their adjustment. Evidence-based interventions for children of divorce in elementary school counseling programs are discussed. School-based consultation, the Children of Divorce Intervention Program, and the Children’s Support Group are three evidence-based practices described. Implications for schools counselors are provided to help integrate research findings and practice. Evidence-Based Counseling 3 Evidence-Based Counseling Interventions With Children of Divorce: Implications for Elementary School Counselors Children of divorce comprise a significant portion of the U.S. school population. Each year in the United States, more than one million children experience parental divorce (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). Projections indicate that by age 18, approximately 40% of children will experience their parents’ divorce. Because divorce affects a significant number of children, a body of empirical literature has emerged addressing its impact (Amato, 2001; Amato & Keith, 1991; Hipke...

Words: 8475 - Pages: 34