Billie Said:

I need to interview a mental health counselor?

We Answered:

1. Not usually Actually, I can't remember having a client with drug and alcohol problems who was threatening; of course, I was not usually seeing them right in the midst of a crisis. I was scared a few times that a client was actively suicidal, but I was able to reach Emergency Services who helped me deal with the clients.

2. I took courses in dealing with drug and alcohol issues in school and as continuing education. I also took every opportunity to talk with more experienced D&A counselors, so I could learn from their experiences. It was possible to avoid taking any courses about D&A issues, but it is a mistake for any clinician to do that because there are many, many clients with unidentified substance abuse issues. Training cannot totally prepare you for dealing with any problem; I made mistakes but tried to learn from them how to help my clients more effectively.

3. I could be a jerk here and say YAVIS (young, attractive, verbal, intelligent and solvent), but I won't. I liked working with adolescents, because they are in such a tumultuous stage of life; in general, I liked working with people in transition. I liked working with survivors of abuse. I liked working with people who had problems with identity.

4. I suppose that because my style as a therapist tended to be very client-centered, I knew the problems and issues would be different. Also, that is one of the things I liked best about my job: no day was ever the same as another. I did often have to gear myself up a little for new clients, because I would worry that I might not clearly grasp what help they wanted and not be useful to them. Usually I would remoind myself that I just had to ask about what I didn't understand.

5. I am calm and a very good listener. I like learning about and experiencing different lives and cultures. I love people's stories about their lives. I believe every human being is valuable and that every human being has a story worth listening to. I have learned as much from my clients as they have learned from me.

6. My favorite part of my job is the people, both clients and colleagues. I love to feel that I have helped some one to have a better life, even in a small way.

7. Usually dresses, a skirt or pants and blazer . I consciously try to look soft and approachable, not too corporate or hard-edged, Not too casual though, because I think you respect your clients by dressing properly.

8. I find people fascinating, so that was one part of it. Another part is that I was brought up to believe that the answer to the question "Am I my brother's keeper/" is yes, so that's probably why social work, rather than psychology. I went to college in the years of Vietnam and the Great Society, when social causes were important. I went to a college in which our resposibilities to community and society were an important value. I initially went to graduate school so that I could advance my career in social work management, but when I found out that I could actually do counseling, I was thrilled and never looked back.

I hope this is useful to you. Please contact me through Yahoo! if you like.

Christopher Said:

who earns more, a CSW or a mental health counselor?

We Answered:

Since the educational requirements are usually more extensive for the CSW, I would think that the CSW would earn more.

Darrell Said:

Is there a dependable website or number where I could find a good mental health counselor in my area?

We Answered:

Salvation Army
Red Cross
Churches

James Said:

high school GUIDANCE counselor or MENTAL HEALTH counselor?

We Answered:

go to apa.org Look for information on educational counselors/school psychologists. There is alot of information there. You can also go the educational route, get your master's in school counseling. Many school counselors first have a teaching certificate and spend time in the class, then go on for the MA through education. The difference in what you would be doing is working for a school system you are dealing with children referred due to classroom problems. As a mental health counselor (psychologist) you can work outside the school system, and issues beyond the school system. You will need to be licensed. Good luck (college psych prof)