Let’s take a look at what clinical mental health counseling is – including licensing, key differences vs. therapy, and what it can help with.
According to Mental Health America, over 60 million Americans – more than one in five adults – has experienced at least one mental health issue between 2021 and 2022.
This staggering number is sobering evidence that mental health is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in today’s society, exacerbated by the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, economic stress and social isolation.
These statistics also further underscore the importance of having reliable and accessible mental health services, such as counseling and therapy, to help affected individuals cope more effectively with any mental health issues that they may be struggling with. Early intervention and professional support can often be crucial in helping affected individuals achieve positive long term outcomes.
In this post, we take a closer look at what exactly clinical mental health counseling is and some of the various mental health issues that it can help with.
Contents
Counselor Education & Licensing
Mental Health Counseling Benefits
What is Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
Clinical mental health counseling is a professional practice that focuses on helping individuals, couples and groups address and effectively manage the mental health issues that they may be dealing with. Some of the mental health issues and conditions that counselors regularly help to address include depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, mood disorders and substance use disorders.
Counselors often tap on their wealth of experience and their arsenal of different strategies and techniques to help clients address the mental health issues they are facing. Therapeutic approaches commonly used by counselors can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques and family systems therapy.
Education and Licensing Requirements
Clinical mental health counselors are often trained and licensed individuals with professional qualifications in the field. Most states in the US have rigorous education and licensing requirements that ensure that only certified experts are able to offer mental health counseling services.
For example, in the state of Pennsylvania, individuals must first obtain a master’s degree, pass a national exam and clock between 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience before they can qualify as Licensed Professional Counselors. This ensures that patients and clients are able to receive the highest standards of care.
Is Mental Health Counseling the Same as Therapy?
A common misconception amongst those who are not familiar with the mental health industry is that counseling is not as good as therapy — but this is simply not the case. In fact, there are significant overlaps between counseling and therapy, and counseling is recognized as a form of therapy. Both approaches are rooted in evidence-based practices designed to help individuals improve their mental health and well-being.
The key difference between counseling and therapy often lies in their scope and focus. Counseling typically tends to be short-term in nature and more focused on helping individuals achieve a specific goal. On the other hand, therapy often entails a longer-term treatment plan that can delve deeper into emotional patterns or past experiences.
While both are indisputably effective forms of mental health treatment, the effectiveness of either will ultimately depend on your personal needs and goals.
Benefits of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
If you are still on the fence about whether or not to go for mental health counseling, it can be helpful to understand some of the benefits that counseling can offer. These benefits include:
Reduced Symptoms of Mental Health Conditions
Many individuals who suffer from mental health conditions such as depression and PTSD often experience symptoms of these conditions that can affect their day-to-day functioning.
For instance, depression can lead to poor sleep and low mood throughout the day, affecting an individual’s ability to perform normally at work or in school. Mental health counseling can help clients to manage and change harmful behavior patterns, mitigating the symptoms of their mental health conditions.
Improved Relationships
An unfortunate side effect that mental health conditions can often have is strained relationships between an individual and their loved ones. The emotional turmoil and challenges associated with conditions such as anxiety, stress disorders and depression can lead to misunderstandings and communication breakdowns. Loved ones may struggle to understand the struggles that the individual is going through and this can create a cycle of distance and resentment.
A focus of mental health counseling is on improving the relationships between the affected individual and the people around them. By using strategies for improving communication and rebuilding connections, mental health counseling can help an affected individual foster a supportive environment where they and their loved ones can thrive.
Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence
Mental health counseling also typically focuses on helping individuals improve their self-image and build their self-worth. This can help to improve their self-esteem and confidence, which can be beneficial beyond just helping them deal with the mental health conditions that they are facing.
This newfound confidence can help to enhance an individual’s overall quality of life, enabling them to create and maintain healthier relationships and develop a greater sense of purpose.
Find the Right Mental Health Counselor for You
If you’re ready to take the first steps toward improving your mental health or addressing an issue that you’ve been facing, finding the right mental health counselor can make all the difference. A Licensed Professional Counselor can provide the tools, guidance and experience to help you navigate your challenges and lead a more balanced and healthier life.
Fortified Souls is a leading mental health counseling practice based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and our team of experienced counselors has decades of combined experience helping individuals with their mental health issues. In addition, we are also a fully remote practice offering telehealth counseling over HIPAA-compliant video conferencing software, ensuring that clients can receive the support they need from the comfort of their own homes.
Our counseling services are also covered by most major health insurance plans in the US — including but not limited to United Healthcare, Geisinger, Aetna, Optum and Highmark. Send us a message today to find out more about how we can help with the issues you’re facing or to book your first appointment with us.
