...being used in conjunction with counseling, it is imperative that counselors are educated about these medications. Counselors need to understand the medications their clients are taking in order to better serve the client. Counselor's who are educated on phsychopharmaceuticals can assist clients with important information related to the medications they are taking such as possible side effects, interactions with other medications, and general information pertaining to the medication. Counselors may be faced with many dilemma's when it comes to psychopharmeceuticals and their clients. Counselor's do not and cannot prescribe psychopharmeceuticals for their client's thus necessitating the need for the client to see a psychiatrist or other doctor when there is an indication that psychopharmeceuticals would be beneficial in the treatment of the client. Foxhall (2008) points out that most patients spend considerably more time with their counselor than with the prescribing physician (p.1). One ethical delimma a counselor might face would be dealing with a client who is on a medication that the counselor feels is not working or is not the right medication for the client. Due to the nature of psychpharmeceuticals, there are a number of medications that treat a variety of different illnesses. Since the counselor spends considerably more time with the client than the prescribing physician, the counselor is in a better position to see, and discuss the medication with...
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...Final Project: The Role and Life of a Mental Health Counselor Books, television, and movies are full of stories revealing the day-to-day realities of various professions. These stories provide a behind-the-scenes look at the often unknown stress, joy, and effort involved in being a doctor, law enforcement agent, or even a chef. What do you think the day-to-day life of a mental health counselor is like? What constitutes a typical day for a mental health counselor, or is there no such thing? For the Final Project in this course, you uncover the hidden realities of the daily life of a mental health counselor. The Final Project requires you to interview (in person) a licensed mental health counselor who works with a population in a setting that interests you. For example, if you are interested in working as an in-home counselor with children diagnosed with mood disorders, interview someone who does this work. You then apply the information from this course, as well as in an interview you conduct, to your understanding of what it means to be a mental health counselor. *Please note that it is NOT acceptable to interview a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, addictions specialist, school counselor, or other mental health provider for this assignment. Although the Final Project includes interview material, this is not the only component of this assignment. Please make sure to review the full project description below. The Final Project is a 7- to 10-page paper that...
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...The Role of a Community Counselor Donte Love Abstract The purpose of this paper is to address the role and function of the community counselor. Additionally, the framework of the community counseling model is taken into account, including some of the strategies used in community counseling. The Role of a Community Counselor Community counseling can be defined as “…a comprehensive helping framework that is grounded in multicultural competence and oriented toward social justice (Lewis, Lewis, Daniels, & D'Andrea, 2011). While this definition may serve as a starting point, any meaningful understanding of the role and function of a Community counselor requires more than a brief description or a cursory glance at a definition. The community counseling model is based on four fundamental assumptions and several concepts. The first assumption is: “1. Human development and behavior take place in environmental contexts that have the potential to be nurturing or limiting” (Lewis et al., 2011). This assumption refers to the connection between people and their environment and its potential to act as a source of support or as a limiting factor on their development. The community counseling model effectively deals with the environmental factors that have an influence on the development of problems that people encounter. “2. Even in the face of devastating stress, people who are treated respectfully can demonstrate surprising levels of strength and access resources that a pessimistic...
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...holistic to include emotional, physical and spiritual health, which in turn helps one to obtain well balanced relationships. An effective counselor takes care of self in order to be prepared to deal with the stresses of the profession. There are many aspects and variables to counseling, without personal wellness one cannot have the stability to achieve longevity in the industry. People in this fast paced culture think of mind, body and spirit individually, rather than as an integrated system that affect and complement one another. This approach has compartmentalized our bodies and consequently our health. This writer must view health in its totality to remain effective in a highly demanding field. First a look at the physical aspect of health. To remain physically healthy one must maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise. Eating healthy and a regular schedule of physical activity helps the body fight off infections and diseases. Good physical health promotes a healthy lifestyle free of high risk behaviors. A counselor’s behaviors will be evidence of healthy living to a client. Good physical health can reduce stress and anxiety which in return promotes good mental-health. The integration and relationship between that of mental-health and physical health is illustrated well in this quote from the article Mental-Health, Important Role in Health Fitness which states “mental-health is much more than the absence of mental illness. It is about physical and emotional well...
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...Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling It seems that the more human development changes, the more there is a demand to understand the role of pharmaceuticals in daily life with regard to mental health. In the article, The Mental Heath Practitioner and psychopharmacology, "a growing challenge for mental health counselors is to understand the potential benefits and limitations of many different types of drugs" (Dickinson & Kaut, 2009 p. 204-205). Incorporating a thorough treatment plan, which might include the use of prescription drugs (Anderson & King, 2004). Recommending or Prescribing Medication It is imperative for today’s mental health counselors to understand their boundaries and roles when it comes to pharmacology and the patient. Having a clear and concise understanding of the benefits as well as the risk is an asset to the client, the prescribing professional, and the client (Anderson & King, 2004). Legal Limitation Counseling professionals that only have reached the master’s level of education do not possess the adequate training or knowledge to suggest medications to clients. This is why it is imperative for a licensed professional administer. A counselor may collaborate with a prescribing professional since he or she has an understanding of circumstances behind the recommendation. Ethical Limitation Consulting with clients as well as various medical professionals...
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...Tasks: * Compare and contrast the ACA's, the AMHCA's, and the NBCC's codes of ethics. * Describe your responsibilities as a student as per the ACA's and the AMHCA's codes of ethics. Your final product will be a 3- to 5-page Microsoft Word document written in APA format, utilizing at least three scholarly sources. Your paper should be written in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. This is the grading rubric Assignment Components | Proficient | Max Points | | | | Compare and contrast the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA), and National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) codes of ethics. | Thoughtful and insightful understanding of the parallels and variations between the ACA, AMHCA, and NBCC codes of ethics is reflected. Accurate analysis and synthesis of the ethical codes reflects an appropriate connection between the three codes. | /32 pts. | Describe your responsibilities as a student, per the ACA and AMHCA Code of Ethics | All references to student responsibilities in the codes are addressed. Understanding of student responsibilities is accurate. | /16 pts. | Academic Writing | ...
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...Running head: The Effects of Trauma on Clients and Counselors 1 The Effects of Trauma on Clients and Counselors :Week Eight Application Tonya James Walden University Manmade disasters and trauma causing events, such as hurricanes and suicide are events that have challenged the counseling community to learn more about how these events affect everyone involved (Digman and Ginter, 1995). None is exempt from experiencing either of these traumatic events. These events affect everyone in different ways; however it opens the door to the option of receiving mental health services and, these services can become more readily available during these times of crisis. Providing mental health services has become more and more of a challenge. There appears to be more people affected by disasters and trauma causing events than ever before. Hurricanes are one example of a natural disaster that has and can cause a significant amount of damage to personal property and can cause a great deal of mental anguish as well. A study completed by Satcher, Friel and Bell, 2007, indicated that 39% if Hurricane Katrina evacuees experienced moderate symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD and 24% had severe symptoms. Suicide on the other hand has been declared a national public health concern according to Thomas and Leitner, 2005. There are about 30,000 suicides in America every year, 80 suicides and 1,500 attempted suicides in America every...
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...The Roles and Functions of a CMHC Abstract The clinical mental health counseling approach has been described as a continuum with healthy individuals on one end and severe mentally ill individuals on the other; consequently, everyone can benefit from clinical mental health counseling. The client-counselor relationship is one in which the client is led to identify strengths and challenges, and develop skills with the goal of independent problem-solving, long-term benefits and future prevention. This paper seeks to explore these domains further. Clinical Roles and Approaches of the CMHC The clinical mental health counseling approach has been described as a continuum with healthy individuals on one end and severe mentally ill individuals on the other; consequently, everyone can benefit from clinical mental health counseling. According to Hersehson and Poser (1987), the client-counselor relationship is one in which the client is led to identify strengths and challenges, and develop skills with the goal of independent problem-solving, long-term benefits and future prevention. Clinical mental health counselors (CMHC) are trained to treat their clients holistically and to use diverse approaches to address wide-ranging issues, diverse cultural backgrounds and life styles, and community settings (Gladding & Newsome, 2011; Myers & Sweeney, 2007). According to Gladding & Newsome (2011) the CMHC will provide services in the following capacities: Mental health counseling...
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...Some events and situations in a person's life can cause unbearable difficulties prohibiting the individual to cope in a normal way. When this happens, according to James & Gilliland (2017), it is a crisis. It is the job for mental health counselors to know how to assess accurately and provide correct interventions for those experiencing a crisis. The knowledge and skills of knowing when and how to apply various therapeutic models, assessment tools and interventions to each individual's own perception or experience not only affects the clients' probability for wellness but is also an ethical and moral responsibility of the clinician The therapist's job is to aid those who face psychosocial or mental health adversities and crisis' having a clear understanding of the client's needs while being aware of the resources that are available. Addressing such wide-ranging issues and considering all of the possible variables that could present is not an easy task even for the most experienced crisis worker but the principles of the mental health profession is dependent on this philosophy. The...
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...that will enable a counselor to be more comfortable, confident and competent in a role as encourager. Knowledge is also shared so the counselor can be the kind of helper that is needed to help people be set free. A tool presented to the counselor is “The Steps to Freedom in Christ” which shows specific methods to discipleship counseling. Chapter themes, such as, “Defining mental health” and “Counseling the Spiritually Oppressed” go into specifics in certain areas that may need to be addressed in the counseling sessions. The information is presented in such a way that the counselor is able to take the information and put it into practice with those who come to them for help. Summary Discipleship Counseling by Dr. Neil Anderson (2003) provides the reader with great insight and prepares the counselor to be able to counsel and help those who are in bondage to past hurts and sin. The information in this book also provides counselors with the information to help free people from their emotional pain and spiritual conflicts and guide them to a more complete understanding of who they are in Christ. Starting with presenting an understanding of the theological issues in counseling and what discipleship counseling is all about, Dr. Anderson shows the steps to make it most effective. “The Steps to Freedom in Christ” is a tool that counselors can use to help people resolve root problems (Anderson, 2003, p. 15). These steps provide ideas give direction to the counselor in how to approach...
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...basic concepts on a Christian’s life along with the basic concepts which we believe Christian counselors focus on. He focused on spirituality, theology, and psychology along with the daily battles faced by Christian counselors in their personal and professional lives. In the book McMinn went into the most important components in the life of a Christian being prayer, scripture, confession, sin, forgiveness, and redemption and broke down in all the ways we are affected during our counseling sessions. In the book we are left with personal experiences from the author in which prayer and scripture should be used and in how much we should use them when dealing with each component in the life of a Christian. Many counselors are faced with regular struggles on knowing and deciding when it is the appropriate time to use scripture and the various biblical readings in there sessions because of various reasons such as not wanting to offend their clients, not wanting to have the client feel as if they are being judged, and not wanting to puncture another wound in an already broken individuals situation (McMinn 2011). The book began to open me up when McMinn stated that “Christian counseling is more complex than other forms of counseling because our goals are multifaceted” (McMinn 2011 pg. 39). He opened readers up to the fact that as Christian counselors we are more so concerned with spiritual growth and mental health and not just healing a puncture in the life of the client. With the focus...
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...Some events and situations in a person's life can cause intense difficulties making it impossible for the individual to cope in a normal way. When this happens, according to James & Gilliland (2017), it is called a crisis. It is the job for mental health counselors to know how to assess properly and provide effective interventions for those experiencing a crisis. The knowledge and skills of knowing when and how to apply various therapeutic models, assessment tools and interventions to each individual's own perception or experience not only affects the clients' likelihood for wellness but is also an ethical and moral responsibility of the counselor. The counselor's job is to help those who face mental health challenges and crisis' having a...
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...Abstract Discipleship counseling means to help people with broken souls to walk freely with Jesus Christ. To understand the whole person the counselor must consider the body, soul, mind and spirit. Dr. Neil T. Anderson discusses three different themes throughout his book to help the counselee bring people back to God. The integration of Theology, the study of God and Psychology, the study of the soul, can cause concern in the Christian community. Wondering who is responsible for integrating God into the secular counseling can be easily answered. Defining mental health to alleviate some of the suffering related to the natural and spiritual realm. Keywords: discipleship counseling, integration, theology, psychology, secular, mental health Discipleship Counseling Caring to the desires and problems of hurting people today is difficult and can be overwhelming at times. As today’s generations search for purpose, meaning, and significance, many are experiencing a pervasive sense of emptiness and loneliness. Obviously, from a Christian approach the problem is a spiritual one and so must be the cure. Anderson explains that one of his basic themes is the idea that one’s identity in Jesus Christ can be nurtured by the counselor derived from a model based on integration of both Theology and Psychology. Methods are given to help counselee to overcome traumatic experiences in their lives. Traumatic experiences are deeply etched in people’s minds. They shape their beliefs about...
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...committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. Lanza had significant mental health issues which psychologist say did affect his ability to live a normal life. (www.CNN.com). Today there are has been more than 100 school shootings since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary. (www.schoolsecurity). Traumatic stress and psychological distress play a major role in counseling children. School counseling has become even more valuable in the U.S. due to traumatic events such as school shootings. School shootings have had a major impact on students, families and communities. There is a more security and law enforcement present at schools across the US and metal detectors in schools also. School children are being taught how to prepare if there is a shooter or shooters in schools. Due to the increased acts of violence in schools and the need for intensive intervention in student issues, school personnel, school boards, and communities are recognizing the need to provide effective prevention and intervention programs to address social, emotional, and academic needs of students. (Davis, T., 2015, Exploring School Counseling). In the next ten years even more attention will be needed to counseling of young children. There are students who have undiagnosed mental health issues, counselors have to be diligent and observant when working with students. In today’s society students are stressed, some are highly medicated. Counselors have to be aware of each student needs, behaviors, and work with all...
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...Theme Paper 4; Mental Health and Disabilities Tonjia Berger-Day Brandman University PSYU 617 Dr. Renee DuVerger SPRING II, 2015 Abstract “There is a plan and a purpose, a value to every life, no matter what its location, age, gender, or disability” Sharron Angle; American Politician. All individuals with the capabilities and will to work should be offered equal opportunities to do so. Unfortunately, those with disabilities – physical or mental – face not just the condition they are dealing with, they also face a deficit in the world around them; a lack of equal opportunity for many when seeking employment. Career counseling for those who have a disability is an essential task that should include the community as well as the client. Zunker (2012) states, “The overarching counseling goal for persons with disabilities is to maximize each individual’s potential for life and work in the 21st century” (p. 268). This is a task that the counselor should undertake with their clients who have added challenges, as well as advocating to the community to assist with acceptance; “Ideally, a cooperative effort between teachers and counselors promotes an effective school program that is supported and recognized by the community” (p. 269), this further supports all continued efforts and opportunities for our clients. Mental Health and Disabilities: “There is a plan and a purpose, a value to every life, no matter what its location, age, gender, or disability” Sharron Angle;...
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