Mental Health Counselor Buffalo NY
We all face challenges throughout our lives. Often, mental health counselors will be one of the first resources available to people in need of emotional and psychological support. Assisting individuals, families, and groups with diverse needs through challenges in their life journeys.
In an article in U.S. News Money, it was stated that mental health counselors work with people from all walks of life, including couples struggling with marital issues, stressed-out college students and depressed working professionals. W. Mark Hamilton, former executive director of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, explains that counselors help solve problems people face, and they often apply real-life experiences when giving advice and form meaningful bonds with clients. Along with diagnosing mental and emotional disorders, mental health counselors work with clients on treatment, partnering with psychiatrists and primary physicians to coordinate proper care.
Jordan Meyers from Demand Media writes that a mental health counselor helps individuals and families deal with difficult emotions, mental health disorders and trauma. A mental health counselor provides therapy and coaching to help his or her patients manage their stress, redirect disturbing emotions and set goals for themselves. He or she might focus therapy sessions on recovery or on better management of conditions. Often, mental heath counselors also help their patients learn to modify their behaviors for better results.
Some mental health counselors help people who have normal cognitive processes cope with difficult life events, for example, physical illness, death of loved ones, and relationship problems or divorce. Others help people manage serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder.
Counselors are skilled in the assessment of people and situations, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, and in the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral and systemic strategies to facilitate change.
As professional helpers, counselors are respectful and responsive to clients and offer a safe place for people to share their experiences and to explore ways to cope. Counselors are skilled in implementing therapeutic interventions designed to help clients challenged by a range of circumstances including: trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, unanticipated life events, interpersonal discord, social injustice, worksite disruption and career issues.
A strong sense of compassion and commitment to helping people are the most necessary qualities for a successful career as a mental health counselor. You will need to have a strong support system of your own in place to ensure your wellbeing as you undertake this challenging and rewarding vocation.
By addressing concerns with quality care from a mental health counselor, clients learn how to make informed and healthy decisions about themselves, their relationships and their futures.
On the job, mental health counselors:
- Work with individuals, groups and communities to improve mental health
- Encourage clients to discuss emotions and experiences
- Examine issues including substance abuse, aging, bullying, anger management, careers, depression, relationships, self-image, stress and suicide
- Work with families
- Help clients define goals, plan action and gain insight
- Develop therapeutic processes
- Refer clients to psychologists and other services
- Take a holistic (mind and body) approach to mental health care
If you are dealing with any of the issues aforementioned, contact Counselor Jennifer for a consultation and start on your road to recovery (716) 432-3656.