New York Mental Health Counselors Association

In order to reap the benefits of NYMHCA Metro all you need to do is join at the State and Local level by visiting www.nymhca.org . You can join as a student member, an associate (pre-licensed or limited permit) member or as a clinical (licensed mental health counselor) member. 

The benefits of joining the New York Mental Health Counselors Association at the state and local levels include: advocacy for our field, networking, supervision/job opportunites, a therapist directory, professional development CEU's and a team of professionals behind you to make sure you succeed in this field.  Join today then come visit us at www.nymhcametro.info and join our social networking site to find out about meetings and events!

Mental Health Counselors have a variety of theoretical orientations and frameworks such as cognitive behavioral or psychodynamic.  Should you try a therapist and feel that this style is not a good match, feel free to ask your LMHC for a referral.  Some styles are more directive than others, or may focus more on the present rather than unresolved past issues.  New York Mental Counselors Assocation is working on our therapist directory daily, and will try to give you a brief summary of each LMHC's framework and style, as well as add a glossary here to further help you in your search.

Mental health counselors use assessment instruments, provide mental health counseling and psychotherapy, clinical assessment and evaluation, treatment planning and case management, prevention, discharge, and aftercare services. After identifying and evaluating mental health problems and related human development challenges, mental health counselors employ effective methods of counseling and psychotherapy to treat individuals with conditions that may include mood disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, personality disorders, dementia and adjustment disorders.

Mental health counselors assist patients to develop skills and strategies to address issues such as parenting and career skills; problems in adolescent and family communication and functioning; couples, marital and relationship problems; and preventing the occurrence or re-occurrence of alcohol and substance abuse.

In New York,  Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC's) is a protected title, and only those licensed in this area can use this title.

(From www.op.nysed.gov)

Mental health counselors are uniquely qualified to provide high quality care that’s more affordable than other practitioners.

FACTS:

• According to the report, "Mental Health, United States, 2004" published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 100,000 mental health counselors are licensed or certified for independent practice in the United States.
• The majority of national behavioral health managed care companies reimburse mental health counselors for services they provide.
• The median cost per session for mental health counselors is $63, compared to a median cost of $100 for psychologists, and $65 for clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists, according to the January 2006 issue of Psychotherapy Finances.
• Forty-nine states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico license or certify mental health counselors for private practice.
• Mental health counselors adhere to a rigorous code of ethics.

Mental health counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is the professional membership organization that represents the mental health counseling profession. Clinical membership in AMHCA requires a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health field and adherence to AMHCA's National Standards for Clinical Practice.

Graduate education and clinical training prepare mental health counselors to provide a full range of services for individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children. The core areas of mental health programs approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) include:

• Diagnosis and psychopathology
• Psychotherapy
• Psychological testing and assessment
• Professional orientation
• Research and program evaluation
• Group counseling
• Human growth and development
• Counseling theory
• Social and cultural foundations
• Lifestyle and career development
• Supervised practicum and internship

Licensure requirements for mental health counselors are equivalent to those for clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists - two other disciplines that require a master's degree for independent status.

A licensed mental health counselor has met or exceeded the following professional qualifications:

• Earned a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health discipline;
• Completed a minimum of two years post master's clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional; and
• Passed a state-developed or national licensure or certification examination.

Mental health counselors practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs and substance abuse treatment centers. Mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide a full range of services including:

• Assessment and diagnosis
• Psychotherapy
• Treatment planning and utilization review
• Brief and solution-focused therapy
• Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment
• Psychoeducational and prevention programs
• Crisis management

In today's environment, mental health counselors are uniquely qualified to meet the challenges of providing high quality care in a cost-effective manner. Mental health counselors provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical problem solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution.

New York has licensed mental health counselors since 2006.

For more information, contact NBCC at (336) 547-0607. For further information about the profession of mental health counseling, including licensure, scope of practice, practice standards and ethics, contact the American Mental Health Counselors Association at (703) 548-6002 or (800) 326-2642. 

(From AMHCA.org)