Monday, February 6, 2012

Mental Health Therapist

Therapists are mental health professionals who advise individuals, families and groups for the treatment of mental and emotional disorders. These professionals help patients manage stress, substance abuse, addictions, low self-esteem and pain. Some of them specialize as marriage counselors and career counselors. These professionals work with other mental health professionals as clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and school counselors in promoting mental and emotional health of their patients.

Mental Health Therapist Job Description

Mental health therapists also work if the observation, interviews and tests, to obtain patient information. Based on their observations in deciding the type of treatment for the patient. They listen and talk with clients to understand their problems. These professionals advise their clients and help them make informed decisions about themselves, their lives and relationships. They help their patients to analyze their problems and make informed decisions about themselves, which would help them solve the problem. They use a variety of therapeutic measures to address the issues and to conduct the assessment of mental health and risk assessment of their patients as and when required. Mental health therapists to monitor the treatment of their patients, maintaining accurate records and documents. These documents may be used by other professionals for further treatment of the individual. To perform these functions, a mental health therapist can schedule appointments for clients with their customers, whether at home or in hospitals or treatment facilities.


Become a Mental Health Therapist

Mental health therapy is a holistic approach that takes account of external influences and a person's social, while also considering their physical and emotional health. To meet the mental health therapist, one must first obtain a master's degree in mental health counseling with a licensed or certified in a specialty such as:

    Education, school or career counseling
    Rehabilitation counseling
    Marriage and family counseling
    Substance abuse counseling

Most titles have a master's program for two years. It will also require to complete an internship during this period, working with people, and gaining hands-on experience. To the best career opportunities, a doctorate in counseling for mental health or related field should be obtained.

Choosing the right therapist for mental health

Mental health problems often arise from deeply personal and often painful episodes. Due to the personal nature of the problem, it is very important that you are careful, the therapist tries to right to mental health. The first step towards finding one is to exclude the possibility of a mental condition that can produce symptoms such as loss of appetite and fatigue that may be mistaken to be caused due to depression. Consult your doctor first to confirm that symptoms are not caused due to a medical problem. Getting referrals will be of great help in finding the best mental health therapist for you. Ask your friends, family, work colleagues or even reference. The doctor may also provide useful information about it. After all that has been cured, find out what mental health conditions are covered by insurance would be a wise decision. While considering a mental health therapist, be sure to check its certification. Also, check whether they have experience in treating people with problems similar to yours. If you are satisfied with the results, date and make an appointment with the therapist.

According to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the median income in 2007 that mental health counselors earned was $ 36,000. The highest gains are made by those who are self employed and work practices already. It takes almost 5 years for mental health therapists to develop a private practice after obtaining a license.