What does a Mental Health Counselor do?

According to people in this career, the main tasks are...

TaskImportance
Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
99%
Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
98%
Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
96%
Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
95%
Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others.
95%
Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
95%
Perform crisis interventions with clients.
95%
Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
95%
Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
94%
Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
92%
Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
90%
Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status.
89%
Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
87%
Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
86%
Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students.
84%
Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.
83%
Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
83%
Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
83%
Collaborate with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
80%
Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.
78%
Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.
75%
Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.
75%
Monitor clients' use of medications.
74%
Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.
72%
Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.
71%
Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
68%
Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.
63%