Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

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Like many careers in the health care field, the counseling profession strives to train capable, educated counselors to advance the profession while providing the best possible care to its patients. Setting professional goals as a counselor should enrich your professional training, strengthen your ethical disposition, and provide opportunities for you to support and give back to the counseling profession. Your professional goals guide your evolution as a practitioner from graduation throughout your career and even retirement.

Clinical Supervision

    Central to all areas of practice within the counseling profession is the concept of professional clinical supervision in a specialty field of practice. The National Board for Certified Counselors' code of ethics states that counselors should only treat individuals for whom they have been properly trained and supervised. While many counselors must seek professional supervision when earning state and national licenses and certifications, counselors are also recommended to seek supervision whenever working with a new population of patients. For example, a counselor who has focused her career working with severe mental illness should seek supervision when engaging college students in a career counseling setting.

Board Certification

    While counselors may be able to find employment without board certification, many states and private institutions require national or state certification for counselors to gain employment. Becoming board certified identifies you as having met specific and stringent professional guidelines. National-board-certified counselors have successfully passed the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification while also maintaining continuing education training in areas such as counseling ethics, techniques and theories.

Continuing Education

    Whether you've graduated from your counseling program within the last 5 years or 5 months, the counseling profession continues to evolve every day. Most recently, the introduction of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has reminded all counselors that maintaining a continuity of care requires that counselors continue to grow and learn to be the best they can be.

Professional Involvement

    Professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association, the American Psychological Association, and organizations headed by your specific profession or state can provide you with opportunities to gain new skills, reinvigorate your passion for the profession and network with other professionals. As you gain tenure in your field, involvement in professional organizations can provide you with the opportunity to influence your profession, guide new professionals and advocate for the importance of your profession.

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Question 12 of 30 for our Mental Health Counselor Mock Interview

Mental Health Counselor was written by and updated on August 15th, 2020. Learn more here.

Question 12 of 30

What are your future career goals in the mental health sector?

  • How to Answer

  • 1st Answer Example

  • Entry Level

  • Community Answers

How to Answer

When you review your future goals as a Mental Health Counselor, it's essential to think about how this new position will fit into your long-term goals. As you know, it takes a lot of hard work, training, and education to become a Mental Health Counselor; however, the learning never ends.

This career can be high stress and emotionally taxing as you continually learn and invest significant amounts of energy into your clients. Having a long-term career goal in mind will help you to maintain motivation, despite these challenges. Think critically about what you want for your future and share how this opportunity will be mutually beneficial as you grow and enhance your counseling career.

Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"In the next six years, I aim to complete my masters' degree while learning to lead a department within a multidisciplinary clinic such as this one. Your team-based approach presents significant growth opportunities for me; I would love to learn how to run a therapy department that is independent yet part of a team that acts as one. In addition to learning more about the business side of running a clinic, I seek to gain more experience in group therapy. To reach this goal, I could shadow your most senior counselors and help to facilitate a variety of group therapy sessions."

Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020

Entry Level

"Right now, I'm focused on developing an excellent track record in a clinical setting so that I can prepare to open a practice of my own one day. This long-term goal means that I need to be an excellent Mental Health Counselor and serve my clients well. This goal motivates me to do a great job for my clients now and in the future. I have another target, which is to complete my master's degree in counseling in the next five years."

Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020

Advice and Examples: What are your future career goals in the mental health sector? For a Mental Health Counselor Interview Question.

  • 12.

    What are your future career goals in the mental health sector?

      How to Answer

      When you review your future goals as a Mental Health Counselor, it's essential to think about how this new position will fit into your long-term goals. As you know, it takes a lot of hard work, training, and education to become a Mental Health Counselor; however, the learning never ends.

      This career can be high stress and emotionally taxing as you continually learn and invest significant amounts of energy into your clients. Having a long-term career goal in mind will help you to maintain motivation, despite these challenges. Think critically about what you want for your future and share how this opportunity will be mutually beneficial as you grow and enhance your counseling career.

      Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020

      1st Answer Example

      "In the next six years, I aim to complete my masters' degree while learning to lead a department within a multidisciplinary clinic such as this one. Your team-based approach presents significant growth opportunities for me; I would love to learn how to run a therapy department that is independent yet part of a team that acts as one. In addition to learning more about the business side of running a clinic, I seek to gain more experience in group therapy. To reach this goal, I could shadow your most senior counselors and help to facilitate a variety of group therapy sessions."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020

      Entry Level

      "Right now, I'm focused on developing an excellent track record in a clinical setting so that I can prepare to open a practice of my own one day. This long-term goal means that I need to be an excellent Mental Health Counselor and serve my clients well. This goal motivates me to do a great job for my clients now and in the future. I have another target, which is to complete my master's degree in counseling in the next five years."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020

      Community Answer

      "I desire to either have my own Mental Health Services or be the Director of a Mental Health Facility. I would also like to provide mentorship for counselors in training. I have already obtained the "Approved Clinical Supervisor" credential, and presently I am preparing for the Board Certified Behavioral Analysis certification. I have also started mentoring counselors in training by being a Practicum and internship supervisor."

      Written by an Anonymous User

      These are excellent goals! I suggest adding an extra sentence or two to show the steps you're currently taking to work towards these goals. If you're able to provide a timeline, that will be helpful as well. For example, "Within the next five years, my goal is to become the Director of a Mental Health Facility. I am currently working toward this goal by (list actionable steps that you're taking)."

  • Company
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    General
    Interview Questions

    If you want to ace your upcoming interview, practice with our topical-based interview question sets.

    Accomplishment

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    Experience

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    Problem Solving

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    General
    Interview Questions

    If you want to ace your upcoming interview, practice with our topical-based interview question sets.

    Accomplishment

    Mock Interview

    Ask the Interviewer

    Mock Interview

    Career Goals

    Mock Interview

    Diligence

    Mock Interview

    Experience

    Mock Interview

    Problem Solving

    Mock Interview

    Company
    Interview Questions

    Get ahead of your competition by practicing from one of the following company question sets

    Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

    Legacy Health System

    Mock Interview

    Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

    El Camino Hospital

    Mock Interview

    Career
    Interview Questions

    Gain further insight into your interview by practicing from one of the following careers

    Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

    Addiction Counselor

    Mock Interview

    Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

    Addiction Therapist

    Mock Interview

    Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

    Alcohol and Drug Counselor

    Mock Interview

    Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

    Rehabilitation Counselors

    Mock Interview

    Industry
    Interview Questions

    We hand picked these industries based on your career that might help you prepare for your interview

    Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

    Healthcare

    Mock Interview

    Examples of professional goals for mental health counselors

    Professional Services

    Mock Interview

    What are professional goals examples?

    10 examples of professional goals.
    Learn how to use new technology..
    Get better at your core skills..
    Add more people to your professional network..
    Become a manager or leader..
    Make time to read professional books..
    Master time management..
    Start your own business..
    Win an industry award..

    What is the goal of mental health professionals?

    All of the following professionals will work with the individual and family to help develop skills and strategies to manage thoughts, emotions and behaviours that impact on one's mental illness. Their goal is to promote the independence of individual's in areas of self- care, productivity and leisure.

    What are the five major goals of counseling and examples?

    However there are five commonly named goals of counseling..
    FACILITATING BEHAVIOR CHANGE..
    IMPROVING RELATIONSHIP..
    FACILITATE CLIENT'S POTENTIAL..
    PROMOTING DECISION MAKING..
    ENHANCE POTENTIAL AND ENRICH SELF..
    DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS..
    PREVENTIVE GOALS..
    ENHANCEMENT GOALS..

    What are goals for mental health clients?

    However, here are some examples of good mental health goals that you can set for 2021:.
    To practice on self-love and self-compassion..
    Take care of and be kind to your body..
    Make time for mindfulness..
    Find new ways to manage stress, anxiety or depression..
    Seek support (from friends and family or by starting therapy).