According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment. | 96% |
| Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships. | 92% |
| Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts. | 91% |
| Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports. | 90% |
| Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes. | 88% |
| Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems. | 87% |
| Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others. | 87% |
| Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes. | 86% |
| Perform crisis interventions with clients. | 86% |
| Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge. | 84% |
| Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests. | 83% |
| Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy. | 83% |
| Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status. | 83% |
| Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information. | 81% |
| Monitor clients' use of medications. | 81% |
| Collaborate with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans. | 80% |
| Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. | 79% |
| Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives. | 79% |
| Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients. | 76% |
| Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary. | 75% |
| Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies. | 75% |
| Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients. | 75% |
| Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students. | 71% |
| Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process. | 69% |
| Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy. | 69% |
| Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services. | 68% |
| Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues. | 61% |
