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Chapter 1: What is Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
Chapter Overview
In this chapter the authors differentiate between clinical mental health counseling and other forms of
professional counseling. The authors discuss the history of clinical mental health counseling, the
medical model of treatment, professional counselor identity, professional licensure, and additional
certifications.
Key Words
Medical model – grounded in the belief that mental illness is like any other illness, abnormal.
Wellness model – problems viewed as part of normal development.
Licensure – legal authorization to practice professionally.
Certification – official endorsement of a specific level of skill, knowledge, and/or training.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The roots of counseling date back to the 19th century during the time of the industrial revolution.
How did this influence the beginnings of the counseling profession?
a) The demand for jobs shifted from rural to industrial.
b) It created a wide range of jobs requiring diverse skills and attributes.
c) There was a communication gap between employers and potential employees.
d) Lack of knowledge about new opportunities for school leavers entering the workforce.
e) All of the above.
1. Which of the following is the most important distinction between the role of counselors and other
mental health professionals?
a) Counseling is a new profession not yet fully established.
b) Counselors work from a wellness model.
c) Counselors are not authorized to conduct formal assessments.
d) a) and b) only.
e) All of the above.
2. Which of the follow approaches is a counselor UNLIKELY to use in his or her clinical practice?
a) View mental concerns as illnesses.
b) Consider mental concerns as developmental issues.
c) Consider mental health as a normal part of development.
d) Use a strength based approach.
e) None of the above.
3. Mental health has traditionally been treated from a medical model. What is the medical model?
a) A problem is identified from a pathological perspective.
b) It uses a deficit approach to identify problems.
c) Treatments are always based on the use of drugs.
d) a) and b) only.
e) All of the above.
4. What was the purpose behind the passing of the Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963?
a) Supplement the mental health services delivered in hospitals.
b) Bridge the gap in services between hospital and community.
c) Replace hospitals with community centers for the treatment of all mental health care.
d) a) and b) only.
e) All of the above.
5. What was the impact of the Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963 on the delivery of
mental health services?
a) It introduced more human treatment approaches in hospitals.
b) It provided an alternative option to supplement existing hospital services.
c) It deinstitutionalized mental health services from hospitals to the community.
d) Introduced centers to deliver education of mental health to the wider population.
e) All of the above.
6. What was the impact of the Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963 on counselors?
a) The demand for counselors increased.
b) Greater momentum for standardized training for counselors.
c) Increased focus on gaining licensure and certification for counselors.
d) Raised awareness for a unique counselor identity.
e) All of the above.
7. What was the purpose for the formation of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Association?
a) To develop and support a unique professional identity for counselors.
b) To manage counselor recruitment in the clinical community centers.
c) To manage the delivery of the counseling part of mental health care in the community.
d) a) and c) only.
e) All of the above.
9. Which of the following conditions is(are) essential if counseling is to be classified as a profession?
a) Governed by a code of ethics.
b) Maintained through a professional organization.
c) Maintained through licensure and/or credentialing.
d) Supported by a body of literature.
e) All of the above.
10. What is the scope of practice for a counselor?
a) There are no limitations.
b) Determined by the laws of each state.
c) Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
d) Assessment and treatment only.
e) All of the above.
11. Which organization develops the standards for the training of professional counselors and
provides accreditation for the programs?
a) ACES
b) CACREP
c) ACA
d) AMHCA
e) All of them.
12. Which of the following accurately describes the relationship between counselor training and
licensure?
a) No direct relationship, states determine licensure requirements.
b) Graduation from graduate counseling programs lead to licensure.
c) Graduation from accredited programs leads to licensure.
d) There is an indirect relationship but states determine licensure requirements.
e) None of the above.
13. What is the purpose of licensure?
a) To protect the public from harm.
b) To ensure minimum standards of practice.
c) To ensure ethical practice.
d) a) and c) only.
e) All of the above.
14. A post-master’s counselor working towards licensure will generally need to be aware of
requirements for which of the following?
a) The number of hours of clinical experience.
b) The amount and type of supervision.
c) Continuing education requirements.
d) a) and b) only.
e) All of the above.
15. How are professional certifications different from licensure?
a) Certification recognizes expertize in knowledge and skills while licensure does not.
b) They are not different; they both allow a counselor to practice.
c) A counselor cannot practice without a license but may be able to without certification.
d) Certification must be updated regularly while licensure is permanent.
e) None of the above.
Activities
1. Review you state licensure website. Create a time line for your licensure process along with
requirements for each stage of the process. Identify any gaps and challenges for meeting those
requirements and propose strategies for addressing the shortfall.
2. Interview a volunteer with your state professional counselor association and find out about the services
they offer for training counselors and the opportunities available to be involved at the local level.
3. Interview a licensed counselor in your state in your area of interest to understand his or her experiences
in the field. Discuss the insights you gained about the profession and explore any personal concerns you
may now have.
Discussion Questions
1. The role of counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, and social worker can be confusing to the public and
to training counselors since all of them do counseling. Discuss the differences between these roles that
make them all distinct.
2. Review your state licensure website. Discuss the title given to licensed counselors in your state and
their scope of practice. How does the scope of practice impact how you would like to practice?
3. Review the different professional organizations serving mental health counselors. Make an argument
for which one(s) you prefer to be affiliated with and what specifically attracts you to that organization.
Multiple Choice Questions – Answer Key
