Mental Health Counselor Goals
My goal is to become a mental health counselor. This project helped me investigate all the details of that career. I was able to apply what skills I currently have and will gain to properly match myself to this profession. Not only did I explore why this career is right for me, but I also explored graduate school options and found the best one for me. I am now sure of my future and have set my goals accordingly. When I started this project I had no idea of what I wanted to do. I had a deep feeling that I wanted to become a counselor of some sort but had no idea what kind. So, I researched, and I explored an overview of many fields in counseling until I found one that really resonated with me. I researched all about mental health counselor’s
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and found that it was the best match to me. First, I researched whether I needed to attend graduate school or if a Bachelor’s degree was enough. I found that all states require at least a Master’s degree to be a mental health counselor.
I then began exploring graduate schools. I had already known about Frostburg State University’s Master’s in counseling program, therefore because it would allow me to pursue my career, I chose that one. Frostburg State University’s program was the first counseling psychology master’s program in Maryland and only the sixth nationwide to receive accreditation from the Master’s in Psychology Accrediting Council. This appealed to me because I need a strong program that will give me the necessary requirements to become a mental health counselor. This program also is highlighted as a path that helps prepare you to take the next step in becoming a certified counselor as well as working with professionals in the field of mental health counseling. Furthermore, in three years I will gain experience through an internship, which will boost my prospect in being hired in the field as well as experience in treatment strategies, research, and psychopathology. I have also explored the requirements for being accepted into this intensive program and are preparing to meet them as I gain my Bachelor’s degree. For this, I will need to keep a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as well as having strong references, and prepare for their interview as it will make or break my application. To be accepted, I will also need to have some experience to show I have thoroughly researched this field and am dedicated. Therefore, I shall participate in an internship while in undergraduate school to gain experience in the counseling field and I will attend all the volunteering opportunities I can find.
After researching more into the career, I am confident it is a good fit for me.
On the day to day basis, I will use my schooling into directly counseling actual clients, this applies to my skills in working one on one with people as well as my speaking skills. I will also work hand in hand with other professionals as part of a health care team to ensure the best care for my clients. I will be able to do this because I am very skilled in working with others. I can clearly communicate and contribute to the group. To keep tract of my client’s confidential information and their health plan, I will apply my computer literacy skills in keeping organized notes and information. I will be able to develop treatment plans after assessing my clients and their individual needs and wants with my ability to adapt to different situations. Also, with my skills in empathy and clear communication, I will be able to accurately assess my clients and counsel them while earning their trust to become their confidant. Finally, because I am easily adaptable I will be able to move myself to where ever is necessary in order for me to gain experience and to be hired in this profession. With all the skills I have and will acquire throughout my education I am sure that my goal of becoming a mental health counselor is the proper path for
me.
After thoroughly exploring my options and assessing how my own ideals and skills apply to my career, I have my heart set on becoming a mental health counselor. I was able to accurately choose my graduate school and consider all the requirements to prepare myself for it. I am sure this career path is the one for me because throughout my research on this project, I have only grown more excited for my future and what it holds. With careful consideration I now know what I must do in order to gain my place in being a mental health counselor.
and found that it was the best match to me. First, I researched whether I needed to attend graduate school or if a Bachelor’s degree was enough. I found that all states require at least a Master’s degree to be a mental health counselor.
I then began exploring graduate schools. I had already known about Frostburg State University’s Master’s in counseling program, therefore because it would allow me to pursue my career, I chose that one. Frostburg State University’s program was the first counseling psychology master’s program in Maryland and only the sixth nationwide to receive accreditation from the Master’s in Psychology Accrediting Council. This appealed to me because I need a strong program that will give me the necessary requirements to become a mental health counselor. This program also is highlighted as a path that helps prepare you to take the next step in becoming a certified counselor as well as working with professionals in the field of mental health counseling. Furthermore, in three years I will gain experience through an internship, which will boost my prospect in being hired in the field as well as experience in treatment strategies, research, and psychopathology. I have also explored the requirements for being accepted into this intensive program and are preparing to meet them as I gain my Bachelor’s degree. For this, I will need to keep a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as well as having strong references, and prepare for their interview as it will make or break my application. To be accepted, I will also need to have some experience to show I have thoroughly researched this field and am dedicated. Therefore, I shall participate in an internship while in undergraduate school to gain experience in the counseling field and I will attend all the volunteering opportunities I can find.
After researching more into the career, I am confident it is a good fit for me.
On the day to day basis, I will use my schooling into directly counseling actual clients, this applies to my skills in working one on one with people as well as my speaking skills. I will also work hand in hand with other professionals as part of a health care team to ensure the best care for my clients. I will be able to do this because I am very skilled in working with others. I can clearly communicate and contribute to the group. To keep tract of my client’s confidential information and their health plan, I will apply my computer literacy skills in keeping organized notes and information. I will be able to develop treatment plans after assessing my clients and their individual needs and wants with my ability to adapt to different situations. Also, with my skills in empathy and clear communication, I will be able to accurately assess my clients and counsel them while earning their trust to become their confidant. Finally, because I am easily adaptable I will be able to move myself to where ever is necessary in order for me to gain experience and to be hired in this profession. With all the skills I have and will acquire throughout my education I am sure that my goal of becoming a mental health counselor is the proper path for
me.
After thoroughly exploring my options and assessing how my own ideals and skills apply to my career, I have my heart set on becoming a mental health counselor. I was able to accurately choose my graduate school and consider all the requirements to prepare myself for it. I am sure this career path is the one for me because throughout my research on this project, I have only grown more excited for my future and what it holds. With careful consideration I now know what I must do in order to gain my place in being a mental health counselor.