Mental health has become a pressing issue around the world in modern times. This means that finding ways to help people globally tackle mental health problems and promote better mental health is essential. Without a concerted effort to do this, we will likely see the most common issues in this area negatively affect more people over time.
The global healthcare sector is on the front line of the fight for better mental health, and it employs trained professionals across a range of specific roles to do this. Clinical mental health counselors are an excellent example of a healthcare specialty that is currently in demand. But what is clinical mental health counseling, what skills do you need to work in this sector, and how can clinical mental health counselors develop critical thinking skills?
What is clinical mental health counseling?
Clinical mental health counselors are qualified professionals who deliver high-quality care to clients. This naturally focuses on those who are experiencing mental health problems, emotional distress, and psychological issues. Although this can present itself in many ways, everyday issues that counselors help clients tackle include anxiety, addiction, and depression.
These highly trained professionals offer client-focused therapy that is flexible and ethically sound. By combining a practical approach to problem-solving with logic and psychotherapy models, counselors can put clients on the path to recovery. This work may involve helping individuals, couples, or groups.
How do you get into this industry?
Gaining the relevant qualifications to work in this role is essential. This usually means studying for a postgraduate degree in clinical mental health counseling.
Acquiring a relevant postgraduate qualification, such as the online Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from American International College (AIC) would prepare you for some of the best social services jobs available to those wanting to help individuals and build supportive communities. The program examines the influence and the application of psychoanalytic, interpersonal/social, cognitive, and behavioristic theories in consultation settings. The program is flexible with online coursework and an option to complete on a full-time or part-time basis depending on your schedule.
Skills required for clinical mental health counseling
Carving out a career in this niche is not just about having the right academic credentials behind you. You will also need the right skills and qualities to offer the best help to clients. The most important include:
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
- Interpretation of information shared by clients
- Taking notes
- Non-verbal communication
- Empathy
- Organization and record keeping
- Ethical skills
- Verbal and written communication
Although all of the above skills and qualities are crucial, critical thinking is one that is certainly worth focusing on. But what is critical thinking in this part of social services, and how can clinical mental health counselors develop it?
What is critical thinking in clinical mental health counseling?
Critical thinking in clinical mental health counseling refers to the ability of counselors to make clear, reasoned judgments based on logic and fact. It enables them to decide by rationally analyzing evidence gathered from observation, reading, and client sessions.
The key to remember is that critical thinking is not just about finding fault or being negative. It is a positive thing for counselors as it helps them make better decisions that are not impacted by emotion or hearsay.
This skill means counselors should always be thinking about what is happening during client interactions, questioning what they are observing and then looking at this rationally using various sources to draw actionable insights.
The importance of this skill for counselors in clinical mental health can best be summed up via a practical example. Without knowledge in this area, counselors cannot assess a client’s situation logically and choose the best treatment theory from the hundreds out there. This is because they would not be able to look at the many different treatment options and choose the most effective one based on a process of logical comparison.
How can clinical mental health counselors develop critical thinking skills?
The above sets out what critical thinking is within clinical mental health counseling and its crucial role for professionals in the sector. It is, therefore, a must for people working in this field to find ways to develop their critical thinking skills.
But what are the best ways to do this?
Study
We have noted the vital role study plays in gaining the qualifications needed to work in clinical mental health counseling. Academic study, though, is not just crucial for having the necessary qualifications to help those dealing with mental issues – it is also an effective way for students to refine their critical thinking skills as they go.
The best courses in this field will not only teach students what critical thinking is and how to apply it practically but will also focus on how important a skill is to possess. Tutors will also be able to offer expert advice to students around critical thinking and help them find ways to excel in this area.
Analyzing case studies
Case studies play an essential role in clinical mental health counseling and are something that all professionals in this field utilize daily. Case studies are detailed examinations of a specific topic or situation in a real-world setting.
Analyzing previous case studies within the sector helps counselors read about cases similar to those they may be dealing with and what the best approach to helping their own clients might be based on this analysis.
This kind of analysis is also a superb way to hone critical thinking skills, as counselors have to read the information contained in the case study, think about it rationally, and draw out actionable insights to use. Analyzing studies like this is also good for critical thinking because counselors must be able to think clearly about treatment methodologies and their outcomes to see how effective the treatment was.
Formulating care plans
Another way for clinical mental health counselors to develop critical thinking skills is to practice formulating care plans. This is a key part of the role, so working counselors should get plenty of experience drawing them up. For those looking at moving into this field, spending some time finding out about care plans and how to formulate them is worthwhile.
But why is formulating plans for client care so effective in terms of critical thinking? The process of creating a plan for effective care naturally demands that counselors think logically and clearly about how this should look.
This is not only the best way forward in terms of treatment (such as individual therapy, group therapy, or medication) but also what should be avoided. Reading over formulated care plans to ensure it provides the best possible treatment is also a good way to practice thinking critically and questioning how effective each part of the plan is.
Clinical decision making
Although drawing up a plan of care is a fantastic way to boost critical thinking skills, this is only half the story. Clinical decision-making throughout the client care journey is also vital, and it’s another way professionals can refine this skill.
Clinical decision-making involves using the best evidence and professional judgment to decide on a client’s ongoing care. The main thing to note here is that this may involve deviating from the care plan if this is thought necessary or if the situation has changed since it was created.
Clinical decision-making is an excellent way to boost critical thinking skills because it causes counselors to actively take in what is happening, look at the available evidence, and then think clearly to decide how best to proceed. By practicing this, mental health counselors can enhance their ability to believe in a calm, measured way and effectively assess a client’s situation.
Why strive for high-level critical thinking skills?
Knowing how to enhance critical thinking skills for clinical mental health counselors is crucial, but it’s also important to touch on why this is worth focusing on. This helps working counselors and those looking to move into the industry gain the motivation needed to refine their own.
But why should anyone working in this field concentrate on getting better at critical thinking?
Positive impact on career
Perhaps the best place to begin is the positive influence developing critical thinking skills can have on a clinical mental health counselor’s career. This skill is in high demand across the industry and one that employers within the sector value. By enhancing your ability to think critically, you will be more attractive to potential employers and stand out from other candidates.
This can be effective in breaking into the sector and progressing in the industry. In addition, better critical thinking skills mean a broader range of career opportunities are available to apply for. For example, many roles in this sector will list essential thinking skills as desirable. You should find many more doors open for your career by having good skills in this area.
Cater to client expectations
People will normally come to clinical mental health counselors for impartial guidance which is unclouded by emotion. Critical thinking helps greatly here because it gives professionals in the sector the ability to offer help in a detached, unemotional way.
If people working in this role cannot think clearly and rationally, then they will not be able to meet client demands. This could cause them to struggle to engage with them effectively and not connect with them on a personal level. It may also mean struggling to excel in their role, as unhappy clients may complain to senior management about the poor care they have received.
Leads toward best practice approach to counseling
As in other social service niches, evidence-based approaches and best practices are essential within mental health counseling. This enables professionals in this field to offer guidance which has been proven to work and is rooted in fact.
Critical thinking is worth focusing on in this regard for counselors because it can help naturally guide them toward adopting best practices in their role. By thinking logically about new concepts in mental health treatment across the sector, for example, counselors can bring in best practice to their sessions and evaluate research findings which may be suited to clients they are helping. This ultimately can lead to better treatment for clients and can help counselors work in the most effective way.
Helps to avoid bias in counseling
Mental health counselors must remain impartial to provide the best guidance, but this is not always as easy as it sounds. Biases and stereotypes are natural to all humans, even counselors. The problem is that these biases may well affect their ability to work with clients effectively and offer the best support.
Developing good critical thinking skills can help avoid bias in counseling by enabling professionals to recognize their own prejudices and how these mindsets might be influencing their judgment. This in turn can allow the counselor to find ways to resolve this, become more open-minded, and offer better help to the client.
Critical thinking is key for clinical mental health counselors
The above shows that critical thinking skills are essential for all clinical mental health counselors to possess. They are certainly something which is worth developing for anyone who is thinking of moving down this career path. As we have seen, this is not just for the benefits it can bring to counselors in a professional sense but also for what it offers to their clients.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
