Create A Practice Plan That Will Prepare

Create A Practice Plan That Will Prepare

For this assignment you will create a practice plan that will prepare you to take your place as a clinical mental health counselor who serves a selected population in your community. Completing this assignment will require you to think about the context in which you will someday serve clients—the historical context, the network of mental health services currently available to clients in your community, and the labor market context that may influence your selected area of practice. This assignment will also invite you to envision yourself participating in a professional organization that supports clinical mental health counselors and the counseling profession.

Using the Practice Plan Template in the Resources, begin with the section labeled Historical Background. Identify a population you would like to counsel someday (e.g., children, teens, seniors, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities or specific disorders). Provide reasons why you think working with this population would be rewarding.

Summarize key factors pertinent to the history and development of counseling services for this population, including significant events that have influenced available services.

Network and Practice

Conduct an Internet search of agencies providing mental health services for your chosen population in your community. Describe the network of services available across the continuum of care, including inpatient, outpatient, partial treatment, and aftercare options. Identify a potential professional niche within this network. Review information from O*Net's Summary Report for Mental Health Counselors, the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH).

Analyze the skills, educational requirements, and average earnings for counselors working in your area of interest within your state.

Supervision and Consultation

Until fully licensed, you will work under supervision. Describe your plans for obtaining clinical supervision aligned with the ACA Code of Ethics and your state's requirements. After licensure, discuss resources in your community for case consultation, especially in situations involving serious or foreseeable harm. Explain practices to ensure case consultations meet ethical and legal standards.

Professional Organizations

Identify several national, state, regional, or special interest professional organizations that will support your practice. Describe how membership in these organizations will benefit you as a professional counselor.

Appendix A: Professional Counseling Disclosure Statement

Using feedback from discussions, prepare a hypothetical Professional Counseling Disclosure Statement that complies with ethical and legal practice standards for working with clients in your private practice setting after licensure. Include disclosures about necessary certifications, licenses, credentials, and professional organization memberships supporting your expertise.

Paper For Above instruction

The aspiration to become a clinical mental health counselor committed to serving a specific population demands a detailed understanding of the historical context, current service network, professional development, and ethical standards within the field. This paper explores the population I aim to serve—adolescents with mood disorders—detailing the historical development of services, current counseling networks, supervision strategies, and professional organization involvement integral to fostering competency and ethical practice.

Historically, adolescent mental health services have evolved significantly since the mid-20th century, shaped by increased awareness, policy shifts, and advancements in psychiatric research. The deinstitutionalization movement of the 1960s and 1970s marked a pivotal change, emphasizing community-based care and reducing reliance on psychiatric hospitals. Prior to this, youth with mental health issues often lacked accessible treatment, leading to institutionalization or neglect. The emergence of child and adolescent psychiatry as a specialty in the 1970s, combined with legislation such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974, expanded awareness and support for youth mental health. Over time, advocacy efforts and research have improved understanding and intervention strategies, resulting in more comprehensive outpatient services, school-based programs, and family involvement approaches (Reiss et al., 2017).

In my community, the network of mental health services for adolescents comprises inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient clinics specializing in youth mental health, school counseling programs, and community-based support organizations. Inpatient services are typically reserved for acute cases requiring stabilization, while outpatient services focus on therapy, medication management, and family counseling. Partial hospitalization programs provide structured daytime treatment, and aftercare includes ongoing outpatient therapy and community support. Notably, organizations such as the local youth mental health center and school-based mental health teams facilitate accessible, continuous care. My interest lies in school counseling, where I can collaborate with educators and families to promote emotional resilience and coping skills in adolescents dealing with depression or anxiety.

According to ONet, the typical educational requirement for a school or mental health counselor is a master’s degree in counseling or a related field, with licensure required in my state (ONet Online, 2021). The average salary for counselors working with adolescents in my region is approximately $48,000 annually, with potential for higher earnings through specialization or experience (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023). Skills necessary include strong communication, crisis intervention, ethical decision-making, and cultural competence. The pathway includes completing a master's program accredited by CACREP, supervised clinical hours, and passing licensing examinations.

During the training and early career phases, supervision is critical to ensure ethical compliance and professional growth. I plan to engage actively in clinical supervision by licensed professionals, adhering to the ACA Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association, 2014) and guidelines set by my state's licensing board. Supervision will focus on case conceptualization, ethical dilemmas, and competence development. Post-licensure, case consultation with colleagues is vital for complex cases involving potential harm or ethical ambiguity. I will establish collaboration with licensed professionals and participate in peer consultation groups to promote ongoing professional development and accountability, ensuring adherence to ethical standards (House & Howe, 2020).

Supporting my professional development, I intend to join several organizations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and the state counseling association. Membership will provide access to current research, professional development opportunities, ethical guidance, and networking with colleagues. These affiliations will also serve as platforms to advocate for adolescent mental health initiatives and stay informed about legislative changes affecting practice.

In preparation for licensure and independent practice, I will develop a comprehensive Professional Counseling Disclosure Statement. This document will clearly outline my credentials, including my master's degree in counseling, licensure status upon completion, and memberships in professional organizations. It will also include information about confidentiality policies, the scope of services offered, and my commitment to ongoing education and ethical standards. I will ensure this disclosure aligns with ethical standards to foster trust, transparency, and informed decision-making with clients.

In conclusion, developing a practice plan involving historical awareness, understanding of local service networks, supervision strategies, professional affiliations, and clear ethical disclosures is vital to establishing a competent and ethical counseling career focused on adolescents with mood disorders. This comprehensive approach ensures readiness to navigate the complexities of mental health services, advocate effectively for clients, and maintain professional integrity throughout my career.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Author.
• House, R. E., & Howe, M. (2020). Supervision and consultation for mental health professionals. Journal of Counseling & Development, 98(3), 324-333.
• Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2023). Mental health counselors. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors.htm
• Reiss, D., et al. (2017). The development of adolescent mental health services. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(4), 40-45.
• O*Net Online. (2021). Mental health counselors. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1014.00