"If you’d like to gain a greater understanding of the clinical mental health counseling profession, read this book.Why the profession of clinical mental health counseling is crucial to public health (Introduction)What distinguishes Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) from other mental health professionals (Chapter 1)Why The Clinical Mental Health Counselor Declaration and the AMHCA Code of Ethics are critical to LCMHCs (Chapter 2)How credentialing and board certification are crucial to the development of a dynamic career in clinical mental health counseling (Chapter 3)How, since 1976, the profession has been shaped by its history (Chapter 4)Why the future of the profession is at the forefront of behavioral health and Primary Mental Health Care (Chapter 5)How the American Mental Health Counselors Association is structured to advance the profession (Chapter 6)An exclusive outlook: “Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession” offers an inside view of a profession that makes a unique impact on improving wellness and well-being. With the public’s growing awareness that physical wellness is integrated with mental and emotional well-being, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors are distinctly effective in contributing to overall health. LCMHCs are licensed to diagnose and treat mental disorders. They resolve depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use and other compulsive behaviors, and other psychological conditions. Because of their holistic view of individuals and families, these mental health professionals offer evidence-based approaches to achieve greater levels of resilience and life satisfaction.For Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, “It’s not just about getting better—it’s about creating a better life."The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) created this guide about the clinical mental health counseling profession to:Provide career guidance to all individuals who have chosen to become licensed in clinical mental health counseling.Offer information for those who may consider a vocation in clinical mental health counseling.Inform members of the public about the profession of clinical mental health counseling.Explain the distinctive characteristics of the profession to those in government, health services, and other allied associations, organizations, and stakeholders.In addition, “Essentials” includes several unabridged foundational documents of the clinical mental health counseling profession. These documents serve as a library of resources for all members of the profession as they advance from graduate studies through the progressive stages of their careers. They include:AMHCA Mission and VisionAMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health CounselingAMHCA Code of EthicsAMHCA Statement on Reparative or Conversion TherapyAMHCA Clinical Supervision Disclosure TemplateThe AMHCA Ethical Decision-Making ModelThe Clinical Mental Health Declaration: A Hippocratic PledgeTheir focused education on clinical mental health treatment—along with their training, applied skills, and holistic health perspective—puts LCMHCs on the leading edge of treatment effectiveness as Primary Mental Health Care Providers. As the public’s awareness of their abilities and their professional skills grows, they will be sought out even more to provide successful and enduring patient outcomes.
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