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What
is a Mental Health Counselor?
The National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NACCMHC)
defines Clinical Mental Health Counseling as: ". . . the provision of
professional counseling services, involving the application of principles
of psychotherapy, human development, learning theory, group dynamics, and
the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals,
couples, families and groups, for the purpose of treating psychopathology
and promoting optimal mental health. "The practice of Clinical Mental
Health Counseling includes, but is not limited to, diagnosis and treatment
of mental and emotional disorders, psycho educational techniques aimed at
the prevention of such disorders, consultations to individuals, couples,
families, groups, organizations and communities, and clinical research
into more effective psychotherapeutic treatment modalities."
What
about Certification?
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) was incorporated in
1982 as a result of the American Counseling Association's (ACA)
professional concerns and efforts in the area of credentialing. The
National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NACCMHC)
was founded in 1979 by The American Mental Health Counselors Association.
Counselors may be licensed at the State level and/or obtain certification
through NBCC and NACCMHC. LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) refers to
State licensure. NCC (Nationally Certified Counselor) and CCMHC (Certified
Clinical Mental Health Counselor) indicate national certification.
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