Mental Health Counseling - Saint Thomas University

Mental Health Counseling from Saint Thomas University is a Campus Master Counseling degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. Trends over the past decade have substantially broadened the practice and responsibilities of the professional counselor , increasing employment opportunities in mental health agencies, businesses, hospitals and private practices. Additional trends include the advent of licensure and certification for counselors and a growing emphasis on accountability in the provision of therapeutic services. Coupled with these trends is an increasing diversity among those seeking direct mental health services in terms of age, ethnicity, cultural background, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status. With an exceedingly diverse consumer base, counselors face an increasingly challenging array of issues such as chemical dependency, child and elder abuse, juvenile delinquency, divorce, physical disability and terminal illness. The counselor of today, as well as of the future, must be a knowledgeable and skilled practitioner who can draw upon a wide range of approaches to meet the multifaceted needs of clients in achieving optimal mental health . The Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling provides graduate students with the concepts and beginning clinical competencies required to effectively facilitate and manage the process of intrapersonal and interpersonal change. Students are equipped to assist others through a helping relationship in achieving optimal mental health through personal and social adjustment, development, and prevention. The program is designed to provide training for those who intend to serve, or are currently serving the community as counselors in public, private and human service settings. The Mental Health Counseling curriculum offers the graduate student foundation and specialization courses designed to enhance theoretical knowledge and counseling skills, as well as personal and professional development. Coursework emphasizes the exploration of social, professional, and personal issues and values as they influence the provision of mental health services. Throughout the program, students are expected to demonstrate practical application of their knowledge and development through projects, papers, presentations, and fieldwork. Mental Health Counseling students may include a specialization in child/adolescent studies. This will include three courses focusing on the theory and practice of counseling minors, plus a capstone internship in an appropriate community setting. Incoming students will take a writing assessment and pending the outcome may be required to complete a graduate writing seminar to improve writing skills. Mental Health Counseling students may obtain a Specialization Certificate in Child and Adolescent Studies. The requirements for this certificate include three courses focusing on the theory and practice of counseling minors and field experience in an appropriate community setting. A specialization certificate will be awarded to students who make appropriate admissions application and maintain 3.0 G.P.A. ACADEMIC PROGRAM The academic program emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge and counseling skills with the student?s personal and professional development. In addition, courses are designed to encourage the development of each student?s unique approach to counseling with clients from diverse backgrounds in varied work settings. While the development of the Mental Health Counseling curriculum is guided by both state and national credentialing requirements, matriculating and prospective students are encouraged to direct questions regarding licensure to the Florida Department of Health . Students may be required to take a writing seminar to improve their skills in this area, and became involved in their own personal counseling . View more details on Saint Thomas University . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Counseling courses.