Psychologist/Mental Health Counselor

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Psychologist/Mental Health Counselor

• Lori Balcom
• GHEC
• ASL 2

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What do Psychologist/Mental Health Counselors do?

• Mental health counselors use their knowledge and
  skills to assess and diagnose behavior problems,
  psychological problems, and social problems.

• A mental health counselor help people prevent or
  reenacting problems or conflicts. These problems
  vary depending on the area you are specializing
  in.

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Education Required

• Graduation from high school.
• Completion of a four-year college program in
  human services, nursing, psychology, education,
  or social work.
• A 60-credit master's degree in mental health
  counseling, community counseling, or psychology
  is the minimal entry level.

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What type of duties are preformed?

• Mental Health Counselors are trained to do a
  variety of therapeutic techniques to address wide
  ranges of issues. These issues vary depending on
  the person being counseled.

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What is the expected annual income?

• In 1998, the median annual salary for mental
  health counselors was 38,650.
• At a bachelor level starting salaries are between
  25 to 30 K range.
• Graduates with a license can expect between 35 to
  40 K.

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Sign Language

• Sign language plays a major role in this career
  if you are training to work with deaf clients.
• For most non-signers, it is important to get into
  the deaf community to develop some natural
  connections to improve sign language skills
  following the completion of 4-6 courses in ASL.
• Several therapists take a 2 year interpreter
  training course and become fluent in the
  language.

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Interview with Thomas Fatticci

• Where did you attend college? I started my
  undergrad work at Bemidji State U in Psyche and
  then later added an additional major in social
  work, thinking that both would give me a more
  rounded education.
• What are some classes that you needed or that
  helped for this job? Completion of 4-6 courses in
  ASL. Several therapists I know took the 2 year
  interpreter training course and are fluent in the
  language. Sign language is a must and one will
  not be able to work effectively in the field
  without its mastery.
• What is the work setting in which you work like?
  The work environment has been varied for me. It
  has included inpatient hospital settings, clinic
  settings, community outreach and drop in centers
  and residential treatment facilities in the
  community run by private vendors.

• What is something you have learned throughout
  your career? The one thing I have learned is that
  it has been essential to my career success that I
  always maintained a servant mentality to my
  clients. Meaning that the service to them and
  their well being comes before anything else. If
  you fail in that department, a person doesn't
  belong in the field.
• What is the major concern facing your career? The
  major concern I am facing is the fear that all
  the work that has gone into my work will fade
  away in an instant as the state changes the way
  it does business and does not replace the
  services in the private sector. This will effect
  a lot of deaf people. I am also feeling anxious
  because I am not ready to retire and there may
  not be another similar situation to slide into
  that pays as well. That is terrifying at times. I
  am not alone as many of the State hospital
  employees are in the same boat

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