Mental Illness Archives - Ducere Investment Group

Why We Love Mental Health Counselor – And You Should, Too!

Atlanta, GA
from Counseling Mental Illness
Counseling, Depression Counseling, Family Therapy Counseling, Grief Counseling, Mental Health

Mental Health Counselor

Mental health issues tend to be multi-faceted. In light of this, mental health counselors are trained to treat their clients in a holistic manner, working in tandem with professionals in education, medicine, and related fields to get to the complex roots of each individual client’s unique struggles.

Their methods of assisting clients are diverse, as are the locations in which mental health counselors work. They might treat substance abuse at a rehabilitation center or provide in-home family counseling, for example.

Important Facts About This Occupation

Median Salary $40,850 per year
Similar Occupations Social worker; physician; psychologist
Job Outlook (2012-2022) 29% growth
Key Skills Interpersonal skills; Compassion; Listening skills; Organizational skills; Speaking skills

Duties and Responsibilities

Mental health counselors help patients work through personal issues like anger management, depression, suicidal thoughts, aging, parenting, self-image, relational problems, stress, or addiction. They provide psychotherapy, assessment, diagnosis, substance abuse treatment, and crisis management. Field Specialties Mental health counselors handle records and documentation of their cases and use these to collaborate with other professionals.

Common specialties are substance abuse counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, career counseling, marriage counseling, and family counseling. Mental health counselors may choose to specialize in a particular patient group, such as children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, couples, or families.

Most mental health counselors in the U.S. work in outpatient and residential care centers, individual and family services, and local governments. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues, including depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, problems with self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, marital, or other relationship problems.

Mental Health Counselors also continue to play a growing role in the military mental health crisis, helping military personnel and their families deal with issues such as PTSD. Mental Health Counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. In the U.S. states, Mental Health Counselors diagnose as well as treat mental illness, though the scope of practice for mental health practitioners varies from state to state.

A typical day for a counselor begins by reviewing upcoming scheduled patients and meeting with those patients. After each patient meeting, a recorded assessment of progress is noted in their patient file. Follow-up calls with other professionals to discuss patient care and treatment may be necessary. Meeting with hospitalized, institutionalized, or home-bound patients may also take place during the work day. Patient paperwork and notations to fellow professionals often require additional time in the office or at home.

A licensed mental health counselor spends many years training for this position. After successful completion of a master’s degree in mental health, a prospective counselor then performs two years of supervised clinical experience. Then, the candidate takes a licensing exam to receive the title of licensed mental health counselor.

Education

After earning a bachelor’s degree, a mental health counselor completes a master’s degree in counseling. In a typical program, students take courses in psychotherapy, diagnosis, psychological assessment and testing, psychopathology, group counseling, and research. They also study counseling theory, human development, career development, lifestyles, and social contexts.

Training and Certification After completing a master’s degree in counseling, candidates gain at least two years of clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor, according to the American Mental Health Counselor’s Association. Upon successful completion of a certification test, the candidate is licensed as a mental health counselor.

Work Environment

Mental health counselors work with community agencies, substance abuse centers, hospitals, employee assistance programs, health care organizations, corporations, youth homes, and independent practices. They work with other professionals, including social workers, psychiatrists, and school counselors.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors

Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) are highly qualified, Master’s level, 3rd party reimbursable, cost-effective, public service oriented mental health practitioners. LMHCs work in private practice settings, and agencies, clinics, schools, and hospitals, providing quality mental health services for consumers. Licensed Mental Health Counselors are prepared to assist clients who are coping with a wide variety of problems and concerns.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors specialize in many areas such as the emotional problems of anxiety and phobias, depression, child and spouse abuse, family conflict, eating disorders, sexual dysfunctions, drug and alcohol abuse, crisis intervention, job and career issues, personal growth, bereavement, and crime victimization.
LMHCs have rigorous clinical training which includes clearly specified, comprehensive, educational and field training requirements:

• A Masters degree in counseling or a related field
• 60 credit hours in total
• 700 hours of pre-masters supervised clinical practicum and internship training
• 3360 hours of post-masters, supervised, clinical work experience prior to licensure
• A passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination (NCMHCE)
• Training supervisors of LMHCs must have five years post-masters clinical experience

Importantly, LMHCs must continue their education and training to renew their license. They must obtain 30 hours of continuing education credits every two years. Additionally, to ensure the highest quality of care and protection for mental health services consumers, there are National Standards of Professional Practice and Ethical Standards to which LMHCs must conform.

Licensing requirements vary from state to state. In all states, mental health counseling licensure is required to independently practice, but can be practiced without a license if under the close supervision of a licensed practitioner. Licensing titles for mental health counselors vary from state to state: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and various forms of these titles may list differently per state statutes. The titled “Mental Health Counselor” (or variation thereof) is a protected title and a violation of state laws for persons to hold themselves as such without the proper credential.

“About LMHCs | MAMHCA” . n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 30 Jan. 2016.
“Licensed Mental Health Counselor Salary”. n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 30 Jan. 2016.
“Mental health counselor ” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 30 Jan. 2016.
“What Does a Mental Health Counselor Do?”. n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 30 Jan. 2016.

How I Used Group Counseling

Atlanta, GA
Group Counseling Interpersonal Issues Mental Illness
Anxiety, Depression Counseling, Grief Counseling, Home Healthcare, Long Term Care, Mental Health

Drs. Chris Schimmel and Ed Jacobs discuss common mistakes in group counseling from an Impact Therapy point of view based on their book, Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills.

Common Group Counseling Mistakes

Group counseling is a form of psychotherapy that usually involves four to ten clients and one or two experienced group therapists. Most therapy groups meet every week at the same time for one or two hours. During this period, the members of the group discuss the issues that are concerning them and offer each other support and feedback. Interpersonal interaction is highly valued and encouraged. Group counseling may be particularly useful for students who are having difficulties in their relationships or who want to learn about themselves and their connections to other people.

Community Counseling Solutions offers several different groups based on various interests and perspectives.

Why do people join groups?

Most often, people participating in a group because they are having some struggles with their relationships. The group is often the best place to get help with mutual concerns. If you have been referred to the group, it is because it is the most effective method for addressing your concerns. Here are some examples of the kinds of interpersonal issues that bring people to group:

Loneliness or isolation

Shyness

Excessive dependence in relationships

Superficial relationships

Frequent arguments with people

Discomfort in social situations

Difficulty trusting others

Being easily hurt or offended

Needing a lot of reassurance from others

Afraid of being left and

Lack of intimacy in relationships

Naturally, many of us experience these concerns at one time or another, but if you experience one or more of these to the extent that they are causing significant pain or distress for you, group therapy may be a solution.

How does group therapy work?

Group therapy is a unique experience for most people because the therapists and group members work hard to make it a safe and confidential place to explore relationships. Through the sharing process, members develop a level of trust that makes it possible for them to be honest and open with each other. They also learn to care for and accept each other. Ideally, the individuals who join the group are committed to learning about themselves and their relationships, and often they find considerable support and encouragement in group therapy.

Group therapy usually works because members behave in the society in ways that reflect how they act outside of the group. The difference is that the leaders and the other members can help the individual change unproductive patterns by giving feedback about how they perceive you and by offering alternative ways of interacting.

The group can also be a safe place to try out or practice some of these new options with people who are caring and encouraging. The group also helps people see that they are not alone in their pain. Finally, members can get advice and guidance from each other. Even if it is difficult for you to interact in a group situation, you can still benefit from being in the group. What does society look like? Groups can be organized in several different ways. Some groups have an overarching theme or are geared toward a particular type of concern.

Some examples of this type of group are those designed for women with eating disorders, for survivors of interpersonal trauma, or for gay and bisexual men. Other groups are more open to anyone. These are usually called general therapy groups. Another way that groups are organized is in relation to time. Some groups are open-ended and may last for years. Still others are time-limited and conclude after a certain number of weeks–usually between 6 and 12 weeks.

Also, some groups have open membership, meaning that the members can come and go as they please; while others have closed membership, saying that once the group reaches a certain number, no new members are added.

Finally, some groups are considered unstructured while others are considered structured which refers to whether or not there are planned activities for the group. If there are no structured activities, the group itself is free to decide how it will focus its time. If you have been referred to group therapy or are considering group therapy, you will want to ask questions about how the group is organized.

How can I get the most out of a group?

Most people are apprehensive about joining a group and experience some anxiety about doing so. It is not uncommon for people to worry that they will talk too much or not say enough, or that others will not accept them in the group. Most are concerned that the group will not help them. There are some things that you can do to maximize the chances that group will be meaningful and healing experience for you. The more willing you are to participate and commit to the group, the more likely it is that you will benefit from it.

Being as genuine as you can be will allow others to help you more directly. Think about what you would like to work on in the group and work actively towards change. Ask the group for help. Respect your safety needs and don’t press yourself to reveal more than you are comfortable revealing. On the other hand, gently challenge yourself to take more risks with self-disclosure so that your other needs get met as well. Use group to talk about yourself and your concerns. Many people struggle with whether or not it is OK to use group time. They worry that their concerns are not important enough, or they believe that others need the time more than they do. The group will be most helpful to you if you can find a way to talk about yourself. Express your thoughts and feelings.

Notice if you are holding back from doing this and talk about your fears of sharing in the group. “Try on” new behaviors in the group and ask for feedback from others when you do so. Although this means taking risks, it is usually well worth it. Give others feedback. This allows you to practice being direct, honest and assertive, but it also helps the other members to know how they are perceived. Be patient with yourself and the group. It will take time for you to feel comfortable in the group and it will take time for the group to develop trust.

You are encouraged to commit to the group for a sufficient amount of time before deciding that it is not the right treatment for you. When you are not in a group, think about the group and what kinds of reactions you are having. When you return to group the next week, share as many of these thoughts and feelings as you feel comfortable sharing.

“Group Counseling | Counseling Center”. n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Patrick J Kennedy – Mental Health and Addictions.

Patrick J Kennedy (Former US Representative) – Has A Passion For Mental Health and Addictions.

Patrick J Kennedy opened up about having bipolar disorder and also being in recovery from alcoholism in 2008. And, one of Kennedy’s particular passions is mental health.

Patrick J Kennedy is best known as a key supporter of healthcare reform.

Together with Pete Domenici, a Republican Senator from New Mexico, Kennedy campaigned to introduce legislation that enables mental illness to be covered by health insurance.

In a landmark move, the legislation was introduced, meaning that people who suffer from mental illnesses can now use their health insurance to claim for the cost of treatment.

It is clear that this legislation will benefit people with mental illnesses, as not only can they get the treatment that they need fast, they also do not need to worry about the stress of falling into debt in order to pay for their treatment.

These political and legislative moves are part of a very personal mission for Patrick J Kennedy, as he has experienced his own struggles with mental illness.

The speech in which he did so was made on March 7 to the Cleveland City Club. Kennedy’s mother is herself a struggling alcoholic, and has had alcoholism for many years.

As a result, Kennedy and his siblings are the legal custodians of their mother.

Kennedy thus has experience both of the difficulty of struggling with and overcoming alcoholism from the alcoholic’s point of view, and from the point of view of the people who are affected by alcoholism.

Patrick J Kennedy’s father, Senator Ted Kennedy, also suffered from alcoholism. Those who wish to read about the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s drinking problem can read about it in the new book written by Patrick Kennedy, entitled ‘A Common Struggle’.

Patrick J Kennedy is known for supporting research into the neurological disorders that can lead to physical pain, mental illness and conditions such as alcoholism.

Most notably, he is the co-founder of the organization One Mind for Research.

One Mind for Research aims to increase the funds and other resources that are needed to conduct brain disorder research and thus to make this research more efficient.

Ultimately, when brain disorder research is at its peak, scientists will be able to better understand and to treat neurologically based mental illnesses, addictions, and other mental disorders.

As you can see, there is a common thread running through the life and work of Patrick J Kennedy: a passion for helping those with mental disorders, and a commitment to compassion.

Do You Recognize the 7 Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer Disease?

Atlanta, GA
Mental Illness
AD, Alzheimer, dementia, dementia cases, neurodegenerative

Alzheimer disease, also known as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or just Alzheimer’s is the cause for about 60%to 70% of dementia cases.

It’s a chronic neurodegenerative that starts slowly & gets worse over time.

One of the most frequent early symptoms is the inability to recall recent events (short-term memory loss).

As this disease progresses, its symptoms may include mood swings, a problem with language, Loss of motivation, disorientation (which includes quickly getting lost), behavioral issues and inability to manage self-care.

As a patient’s condition deteriorates, they may withdraw from society and family members.

Steadily, bodily functions get lost, eventually leading to death.

Although the progression speed may vary, the average life expectancy after diagnosis is between three to nine years.

Who gets Alzheimer’s?

Developing Alzheimer’s has been linked to a group of numerous factors that are explained in detail below.

Some risk factors such as lifestyle may be controlled but others like genes and age may cannot.

Age

Age is the leading risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

This disease commonly affects individuals of over 65.

Above 65, an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles approximately every five years.

One in every six persons of over 80 suffers from dementia.

Gender

For certain reasons that aren’t clear, there are about two times as many females as males over 65 with Alzheimer’s.

This difference isn’t fully explained by the fact that on average, women live much longer than men.

It could be that Alzheimer’s in females is associated with lack of the hormone oestrogen just after menopause.

The majority of people develop Alzheimer’s after 65; however, individuals in this age bracket can develop it too.

This is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s, a type of young-onset dementia.

Diagnosis

Anybody who suspects that he/she may be suffering from this condition (or other forms of dementia) should seek immediate help from a GP.

If you have dementia, early diagnosis has numerous benefits:

It offers an explanation for the patient’s symptoms
It provides access to advise, treatment and support
It lets patients prepare and plan ahead for the future

There isn’t any single test for Alzheimer’s disease.

First, your GP will have to rule out any condition that may have the same symptoms like thyroid and vitamin deficiencies (from blood tests), infections, depression as well as side effects of medication.