What would you do as a Mental health counsellor?
Mental health counsellors
- usually work regular business hours but may work shifts
- usually work in private practices, community health centres, homes and schools, and may travel locally
- may do emotionally demanding work
- need to be responsible, identify and solve problems and communicate well
Tasks
- counsel clients in personal issues
- teach techniques for managing mental health
- monitor changes in client mood and behaviour
- teach life skills to clients and families
- counsel clients with substance abuse issues
- write reports and evaluations
- develop treatment plans for clients
- help in crisis situations
- maintain client records
- complete legal and social programme paperwork
How can you become a Mental health counsellor?
You need a qualification to become a mental health counsellor and experience may be useful.
You need
- a bachelor's degree in counselling OR a Bachelor of Health Science (Counselling) OR a Bachelor of Social Services (Counselling)
- to pass a police check
You may need
- a Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction
- a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Mental Health and Addiction Counselling
- a Master of Counselling
- experience in similar work
- to be registered with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors
- an Annual Practicing Certificate
If you're in school
You need University Entrance to do the study or training for this job.
