Practice Plan - Clinical Mental Health Counselor (Essay Sample)

Practice Plan Name Course Number and Name Date Institution The mental health counselor professional identity is exquisitely significant. Additionally, when an individual to choose a profession like mental health counselor, they are required to have sorted themselves out, weighed all the available options for a while, and understand what is needed of them. The process is all about an individual evaluating himself or herself whether they are fit enough to pursue the profession. The paper will discuss concerning the population that I will be focusing on as a mental health counselor. Secondly, I will provide the rewards associated with the profession. Thirdly, the paper will identify and discuss the important network of mental health that will be available for the selected population and determine the professional niche within the services network. Fourthly, the paper will describe the plan necessary for receiving the post-masters clinical supervision and the professional community within my case consultation framework. Lastly, the paper will identify several organizations that will facilitate the mental health counselor practice. Historical Background Sexual orientation is never considered as a source of distress and anxiety. However, for the people who identify under the umbrella of LGBTQIA tend to suffer from social stigma from the community since they are the minority, and hence, they are vulnerable to the mental disorders. I would prefer counseling them someday because when the LGBTQIA individuals are seeking therapy, they are often advised to seek counsel from a qualified counselor who has a great experience and is familiar with the daily challenges that they the minor community tend to face (Allegretto & Arthur, 2001). The term LGBTQIA was broadened from LGBT to ensure it encompasses several numbers of individuals. It was argued that grouping the individuals that do not practice heterosexual and cisgender might not represent the full sexual orientation entirely. The Q in the LGBTQIA tend to factor queer and questioning; some people are inclined to utilize the term queer as an umbrella term compared to the former (Mental Health Counselors, 2016). However, not every individual is comfortable with identifying as queer. The reasons why I believe this area is rewarding is because regardless of the global culture evolving and becoming diverse to an extent of sexual and romantic orientations being embraced, the stigma and marginalization of LGBTQIA continue to grow. The LGBTQIA are discriminated, abused, blackmail, oppression and marginalized. The LGBTQIA mostly encounter depression, anxiety, and substance abuse because of the idea of coming out of the closet for their family and friends. Similarly, the idea of coping with discrimination and oppression can also result in the medical concerns. The counseling services are essential to the LGBTQIA aggregate because the types of research established to prove that the youths who are in this sexual orientation have been found to have increased rates of suicidal thoughts. The suicidal motives and self-harm acts are driven by the acts of discrimination that they encounter from the society. A survey conducted in 2007, identified that the youths identified as LGBT had higher chances of facing victimization and bullying in the community and more likely to have considered suicide as compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The LGBTQIA community requires continuous counseling because the repeated acts of discrimination, sexual assault, physical, and verbal bullying might result in chronic stress and hence, detrimental mental health (Adams, Cahill, & Ackerlind, 2005). It does not stop on students and youth but also extends to the adults; they might face discrimination on things such as housing, education, health, human rights, and employment. However, to acquire the trust of the LGBTQIA individuals, a counselor should be specialized in LGBTQ therapy. Network and Practice Most of the LGBTQ individuals might seek treatment concerning issues such as anxiety, depression, couple fighting, confusion over sexual orientation, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, gender transition, and the debate of coming out. The services that are available for the LGBTQ are family therapy, individual therapy, couple therapy, group therapy, domestic abuse counseling, and violence counseling (Counseling and Mental Health Professional Organizations, 2016). The facilities that are obligated to offer such services include Los Angeles LGBT center, the Trevor Project, which provides 24/7 toll-free, confidential line for the LGBT youths especially those with suicidal thoughts. Additionally, The Gay and Lesbian community centers located in South Nevada and The Centre in New York. The professional niche in my field that I could consider rewarding is the fact that not many counselors have specialized in handling the LGBTQ community. There are few specialists, and they are cannot handle the whole community and hence, with my passion and determination I am likely to gain a strong foothold in the profession. The professional requirements according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook state that I am required to have a master’s degree. O*NET reports the skills that am expected to possess include active listening, critical thinking, social perceptiveness, eloquent speaker, and service orientation. Additionally, I should have knowledge in various departments such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, English language, therapy, customer services, counseling, and personal services. The median earning for the clinical mental health professional in 2015 was analyzed as 43,190 dollars per year and 20.77 dollars per hour. Supervision and Consultation Counselor Supervisors are supposed to forge significant and respectful professional relationships. It is appropriate to maintain respectful boundaries with the supervisee and student both face to face and electronically. The supervisee should follow individual Codes of Ethics. The counseling supervisors should ascertain that the supervisees reveal their qualifications to provide services to their clients. The clinical supervisor should acquire and pay for their clinical supervision formal training. A clinical mental health counselor should comprehend that the clinical supervisor is responsible for her or his clients. According to Ethics Code, the mental health counselors are prohibited from having relationships that could damage their professional practice or tarnish their name. Therefore, to understand their client’s background, they could consult with the people close to him or her and try to comprehend the appropriate channels to utilize when assisting (ACA, 2014). However, the counselor should protect the confidentiality of their clients despite the intentions being harmless. Professional Organizations The following professional organizations equip the clinical mental health counselors with licenses and the necessary training required for the practice. Additionally, the organizations provide employment opportunities, professional growth and development network opportunities, continuing educa...