Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling a new Program/Degree Proposal

Course offerings with proposed catalogue descriptions

Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession (3)

This course focuses on ethical, legal, and professional issues in clinical mental health counseling. The profession of mental health counseling will be examined from both a historical standpoint and in light of current trends. Professional codes of ethics will be discussed in detail as will critical legal cases and rulings. Professional credentialing and licensing requirements will be covered. The various roles of mental health counselors (e.g., practitioners, advocates, supervisors) will be explored in depth.

Theories and Models of Counseling (3)

This course will introduce students to theories and models of counseling that are consistent with current professional practice and standards. The implications of various theories for conceptualizing client problems and generating intervention techniques will be highlighted. The course will focus on theories and models of counseling whose efficacy is supported by empirical evidence.

Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis (3)

This course focuses on diagnostic classification using the DSM-IV-TR and understanding the etiology, symptoms, and clinical presentation of various mental disorders to facilitate differential diagnosis. The importance of differential diagnosis in developing a treatment plan and selecting appropriate interventions will be emphasized.

Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling (3)

This course will examine theories of human development across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of understanding developmental norms in conceptualizing the needs of clients and challenges they may be facing. Additionally, the importance of understanding typical human development in determining whether particular behaviors or responses represent disorders or are normative will be covered.

Skills and Techniques in Mental Health Counseling (3)

This course focuses on interpersonal and counseling skills and techniques that characterize successful counseling interactions within and across various theoretical models. Evidence-based counseling interventions will be emphasized. The importance of various components of counseling such as goal-setting, developing a treatment plan, dealing with resistance, referral, and termination will also be covered.

Multicultural Counseling (3)

This course examines the importance of cultural context in the process of counseling. Emphasis will be placed on developing cultural self-awareness as a foundation for becoming a culturally competent and responsive professional. The culturally sensitive application of counseling techniques and therapeutic interventions will be discussed in depth.

Career Development and Counseling (3)

This course provides an overview of vocational theory and career counseling techniques. Students will learn to identify and utilize appropriate assessment strategies and counseling techniques to help individuals identify and pursue vocational goals across the lifespan.

Methods and Principles of Group Counseling (3)

This course provides both didactic and experiential training in group counseling. Critical aspects of group processes and dynamics, including group formation, cohesion, norms, decision make, and leading/co-leading, will be emphasized. Issues related to confidentiality, selection, ethics, and diversity also will be covered. Students also will be introduced to and practice the skills required to lead counseling groups.

Research and Evaluation (3)

This course will provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to critically evaluate and conduct research relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling and also to evaluate programs. The course will focus on research methods, statistical analysis, and models of program evaluation. All students will complete an independent research project.

Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling (3)

This course provides an overview of the assessment procedures and tools used by mental health counselors. Psychometric properties associated with testing will be covered. Students will learn to select, administer and interpret tests of achievement and aptitude, memory, personality, mental and behavioral functioning, and selected tests for cognitive ability. Additionally, students will learn to assess suicidality, lethality, and mental status. Emphasis will be placed on integrating the findings of various instruments and communicating the results via oral or written reports.

Family and Social Systems (3)

This course introduces students to the history of systems and family theories and provides training in current, evidence-based models commonly used in counseling families and couples. Approaches to assessment and diagnosis as well as ethical, legal, and professional issues pertaining to working with families and couples will be covered.

Psychopharmacology and Biological Bases of Behavior (3)

This course provides students with an overview of the neurobiology of mental disorders, including the basic elements of the central nervous system and covers the basic classes and uses of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications. Students will develop a knowledge base to allow for appropriate collaboration with prescribers and medical professionals and so that the side effects of these medications can be identified.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Rural Populations (3)

This course examines clinical issues that are prevalent in working with rural populations. Focus will be on developing an in-depth understanding of rural culture and applying this knowledge in the counseling setting. Students will also examine their own potential biases about rural culture and individuals living in rural communities and how these biases can affect the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship.

Professional and Practice Issues in Rural Counseling (3)

This course will provide students with knowledge regarding professional and practice issues that are specific to working in rural settings. Topics to be covered include: professional isolation, interdisciplinary collaboration, confidentiality, dual relationships, stigma regarding mental health care, low accessibility of referral and consultation sources, community outreach, and balancing clients’ needs with clinical competency.

The Use of Technology in Mental Health Counseling (3)

This course will provide students with knowledge and skills regarding the use of technological innovations in a counseling setting. Topics to be covered include modalities of online counseling, ethical considerations in online counseling, and creating and maintaining therapeutic relationships using technology. Additionally, students will be introduced to the “paperless office” and HIPAA compliant technologies for clinical record keeping.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)

This course provides an in-depth examination of the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Students will learn empirically supported treatment modalities for PTSD. Special emphasis will be placed on the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD in veterans.

Counseling Veterans: Reintegration and Recovery (3)

This course examines issues faced by returning military veterans and their families and how to help veterans reintegrate into the family unit and the social milieu. Common reactions experienced by veterans, spouses, significant others, and children upon the return of the veteran will be covered in depth. The course will also examine common mental health concerns facing veterans, including depression, sleep disturbances, drug and alcohol problems, and coping with service related disability or injury.

Counseling Women Veterans (3)

This course provides an in-depth examination of concerns commonly facing women veterans and means of intervention regarding these concerns. Among the topics covered will be military sexual trauma and harassment, parenting stress, and the potential for having their service go unrecognized or unsupported by family, peers, or employers. Support services available specifically to women veterans will be introduced.

Substance Abuse Counseling (3)

This course provides an introduction into the assessment, etiology, understanding, and treatment of addictions. Prevention, dual diagnosis, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and issues related to diagnosis and treatment in multicultural, rural, and veteran populations will be covered. Empirically supported models of understanding and treating substance abuse will be emphasized.

Practicum (3)

The counseling practicum affords students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills they have developed under the supervision of a faculty member and site supervisor in a mental health setting. Practicum settings will vary based on the needs and interests of the student as well as the availability of appropriate on-site supervision. The practicum will consist of at least 100 on-site clock hours, of which at least 40 will be spent providing direct clinical service. Students will receive at least one hour of weekly individual supervision from a faculty instructor and 1.5 hours of group supervision per week from program faculty.

Internship (9)

The counseling internship is the culminating clinical experience of the student. Students will complete their internship in a setting that reflects their career interests under the supervision of an on-site supervisor and a faculty member. The internship consists of a minimum of 600 on-site clock hours, of which at least 240 will be spent providing direct clinical service, including experience leading groups. The internship experience is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a professional clinical mental health counselor. Students will receive at least one hour of weekly individual supervision from the on-site supervisor, and 1.5 hours of group supervision per week from program faculty.

4. 
   Student learning outcomes
   

To facilitate the process of accreditation and to ensure that students receive high quality, comprehensive training, and student learning outcomes will be aligned with the CACREP accreditation standards. Learning outcomes are presented in Tables 5 and 6 below. The tables also present the curricular elements in which the content relevant to the outcomes will be presented to students and the anticipated methods by which outcome attainment will be assessed. Table 5 presents the learning outcomes that are considered by CACREP to be core counseling competencies for any counseling discipline. Table 6 presents the learning outcomes that CACREP considers to be fundamental to the practice of clinical mental health counseling.

Table 5. Student Learning Outcomes – Core Counseling Standards

1. PROFESSIONAL ORIENTATION AND ETHICAL PRACTICE—studies that provide an understanding of all of the following aspects of professional functioning	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
a. history and philosophy of the counseling profession	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
b. professional roles, functions, and relationships with other human service providers, including strategies for interagency/interorganization collaboration and communications	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
c. counselors’ roles and responsibilities as members of an interdisciplinary emergency management response team during a local, regional, or national crisis, disaster or other trauma-causing event	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
d. self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
e. counseling supervision models, practices, and processes	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
f. professional organizations, including membership benefits, activities, services to members, and current issues	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
g. professional credentialing, including certification, licensure, and accreditation practices and standards, and the effects of public policy on these issues	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
h. the role and process of the professional counselor advocating on behalf of the profession	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
i. advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
j. ethical standards of professional organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
2. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY—studies that provide an understanding of the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural society, including all of the following	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
a. multicultural and pluralistic trends, including characteristics and concerns within and among diverse groups nationally and internationally	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
b. attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences, including specific experiential learning activities designed to foster students’ understanding of self and culturally diverse clients	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
c. theories of multicultural counseling, identity development, and social justice	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
d. individual, couple, family, group, and community strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations, including multicultural competencies	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
e. counselors’ roles in developing cultural self-awareness, promoting cultural social justice, advocacy and conflict resolution, and other culturally supported behaviors that promote optimal wellness and growth of the human spirit, mind, or body	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
f. counselors’ roles in eliminating biases, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
3. HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT—studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all developmental levels and in multicultural contexts, including all of the following:	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
a. theories of individual and family development and transitions across the life span	CMHC 6xx Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
b. theories of learning and personality development, including current understandings about neurobiological behavior	CMHC 6xx Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
c. effects of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events on persons of all ages	CMHC 6xx Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
d. theories and models of individual, cultural, couple, family, and community resilience	CMHC 6xx Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling CMHC 6xx Family and Social Systems	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
e. a general framework for understanding exceptional abilities and strategies for differentiated interventions	CMHC 6xx Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
f. human behavior, including an understanding of developmental crises, disability, psychopathology, and situational and environmental factors that affect both normal and abnormal behavior	CMHC 6xx Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
g. theories and etiology of addictions and addictive behaviors, including strategies for prevention, intervention, and treatment	CMHC 6xx Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling CMHC 6xx Substance Abuse Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
h. theories for facilitating optimal development and wellness over the life span	CMHC 6xx Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
4. CAREER DEVELOPMENT—studies that provide an understanding of career development and related life factors, including all of the following:	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
a. career development theories and decision-making models	CMHC 6xx Career Development and Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
b. career, avocational, educational, occupational and labor market information resources, and career information systems	CMHC 6xx Career Development and Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
c. career development program planning, organization, implementation, administration, and evaluation	CMHC 6xx Career Development and Counseling CMHC 6xx Career Development and Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
d. interrelationships among and between work, family, and other life roles and factors, including the role of multicultural issues in career development	CMHC 6xx Career Development and Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
e. career and educational planning, placement, follow-up, and evaluation	CMHC 6xx Career Development and Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
f. assessment instruments and techniques relevant to career planning and decision making	CMHC 6xx Career Development and Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
g. career counseling processes, techniques, and resources, including those applicable to specific populations in a global economy	CMHC 6xx Career Development and Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments Role-play assignment
5. HELPING RELATIONSHIPS—studies that provide an understanding of the counseling process in a multicultural society, including all of the following:	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
a. an orientation to wellness and prevention as desired counseling goals	CMHC 6xx Theories and Models of Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
b. counselor characteristics and behaviors that influence helping processes	CMHC 6xx Skills and Techniques in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
c. essential interviewing and counseling skills	CMHC 6xx Skills and Techniques in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Role-play assignment Written assignments
d. counseling theories that provide the student with models to conceptualize client presentation and that help the student select appropriate counseling interventions. Students will be exposed to models of counseling that are consistent with current professional research and practice in the field so they begin to develop a personal model of counseling	CMHC 6xx Theories and Models of Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
e. a systems perspective that provides an understanding of family and other systems theories and major models of family and related interventions	CMHC 6xx Family and Social Systems	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
f. a general framework for understanding and practicing consultation	CMHC 6xx Theories and Models of Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
g. crisis intervention and suicide prevention models, including the use of psychological first aid strategies	CMHC 6xx Theories and Models of Counseling CMHC 6xx Skills and Techniques in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Role-play assignment Written assignments
6. GROUP WORK—studies that provide both theoretical and experiential understandings of group purpose, development, dynamics, theories, methods, skills, and other group approaches in a multicultural society, including all of the following:	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
a. principles of group dynamics, including group process components, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors, and therapeutic factors of group work	CMHC 6xx Methods and Principles of Group Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Role-play assignment
b. group leadership or facilitation styles and approaches, including characteristics of various types of group leaders and leadership styles	CMHC 6xx Methods and Principles of Group Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Role-play assignment
c. theories of group counseling, including commonalities, distinguishing characteristics, and pertinent research and literature	CMHC 6xx Methods and Principles of Group Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Role-play assignment
d. group counseling methods, including group counselor orientations and behaviors, appropriate selection criteria and methods, and methods of evaluation of effectiveness	CMHC 6xx Methods and Principles of Group Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Role-play assignment
e. direct experiences in which students participate as group members in a small group activity, approved by the program, for a minimum of 10 clock hours over the course of one academic term	CMHC 6xx Methods and Principles of Group Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Role-play assignment
7. ASSESSMENT—studies that provide an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in a multicultural society, including all of the following:	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
a. historical perspectives concerning the nature and meaning of assessment	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams
b. basic concepts of standardized and nonstandardized testing and other assessment techniques, including norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, environmental assessment, performance assessment, individual and group test and inventory methods, psychological testing, and behavioral observations	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Administer assessments and write reports
c. statistical concepts, including scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, and correlations	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Administer assessments and write reports
d. reliability (i.e., theory of measurement error, models of reliability, and the use of reliability information)	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Administer assessments and write reports
e. validity (i.e., evidence of validity, types of validity, and the relationship between reliability and validity)	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Administer assessments and write reports
f. social and cultural factors related to the assessment and evaluation of individuals, groups, and specific populations	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Administer assessments and write reports
g. ethical strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques in counseling	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Administer assessments and write reports
8. RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION—studies that provide an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, needs assessment, and program evaluation, including all of the following:	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
a. the importance of research in advancing the counseling profession	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams
b. research methods such as qualitative, quantitative, single-case designs, action research, and outcome-based research	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams Research project
c. statistical methods used in conducting research and program evaluation	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams Research project
d. principles, models, and applications of needs assessment, program evaluation, and the use of findings to effect program modifications	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams Research project
e. the use of research to inform evidence-based practice	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams Research project
f. ethical and culturally relevant strategies for interpreting and reporting the results of research and/or program evaluation studies	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams Research project

Table 6. Student Learning Outcomes – Clinical Mental Health Counseling Standards

FOUNDATIONS OF CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Knowledge	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
1. Understands the history, philosophy, and trends in clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
2. Understands ethical and legal considerations specifically related to the practice of clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
3. Understands the roles and functions of clinical mental health counselors in various practice settings and the importance of relationships between counselors and other professionals, including interdisciplinary treatment teams	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
4. Knows the professional organizations, preparation standards, and credentials relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
5. Understands a variety of models and theories related to clinical mental health counseling, including the methods, models, and principles of clinical supervision	CMHC 6xx Theories and Models of Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
6. Recognizes the potential for substance use disorders to mimic and coexist with a variety of medical and psychological disorders	CMHC 6xx Psychopharmacology and Biological Bases of Behavior CMHC 6xx Substance Abuse Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
7. Is aware of professional issues that affect clinical mental health counselors (e.g., core provider status, expert witness status, access to and practice privileges within managed care systems)	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
8. Understands the management of mental health services and programs, including areas such as administration, finance, and accountability	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
9. Understands the impact of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events on people	CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
10. Understands the operation of an emergency management system within clinical mental health agencies and in the community	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
Skills and Practices
1. Demonstrates the ability to apply and adhere to ethical and legal standards in clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
2. Applies knowledge of public mental health policy, financing, and regulatory processes to improve service delivery opportunities in clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
COUNSELING, PREVENTION, AND INTERVENTION IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Knowledge	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
1. Describes the principles of mental health, including prevention, intervention, consultation, education, and advocacy, as well as the operation of programs and networks that promote mental health in a multicultural society	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
2. Knows the etiology, the diagnostic process and nomenclature, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis CMHC 6xx Skills and Techniques in Mental Health Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
3. Knows the models, methods, and principles of program development and service delivery (e.g., support groups, peer facilitation training, parent education, self-help)	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
4. Knows the disease concept and etiology of addiction and co-occurring disorders	CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis CMHC 6xx Psychopharmacology and Biological Bases of Behavior CMHC 6xx Substance Abuse Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
5. Understands the range of mental health service delivery—such as inpatient, outpatient, partial treatment and aftercare—and the clinical mental health counseling services network	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
6. Understands the principles of crisis intervention for people during crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events	CMHC 6xx Skills and Techniques in Mental Health Counseling CMHC 6xx Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder CMHC 6xx Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
7. Knows the principles, models, and documentation formats of biopsychosocial case conceptualization and treatment planning	CMHC 6xx Theories and Models of Counseling CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
8. Recognizes the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders	CMHC 6xx Family and Social Systems	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
9. Understands professional issues relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
Skills and Practices
1. Uses the principles and practices of diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders to initiate, maintain, and terminate counseling	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
2. Applies multicultural competencies to clinical mental health counseling involving case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
3. Promotes optimal human development, wellness, and mental health through prevention, education, and advocacy activities	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
4. Applies effective strategies to promote client understanding of and access to a variety of community resources	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
5. Demonstrates appropriate use of culturally responsive individual, couple, family, group, and systems modalities for initiating, maintaining, and terminating counseling	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
6. Demonstrates the ability to use procedures for assessing and managing suicide risk	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
7. Applies current record-keeping standards related to clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
8. Provides appropriate counseling strategies when working with clients with addiction and co-occurring disorders	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
9. Demonstrates the ability to recognize his or her own limitations as a clinical mental health counselor and to seek supervision or refer clients when appropriate	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
DIVERSITY AND ADVOCACY IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Knowledge	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
1. Understands how living in a multicultural society affects clients who are seeking clinical mental health counseling services	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
2. Understands the effects of racism, discrimination, sexism, power, privilege, and oppression on one’s own life and career and those of the client	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
3. Understands current literature that outlines theories, approaches, strategies, and techniques shown to be effective when working with specific populations of clients with mental and emotional disorders	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
4. Understands effective strategies to support client advocacy and influence public policy and government relations on local, state, and national levels to enhance equity, increase funding, and promote programs that affect the practice of clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
5. Understands the implications of concepts such as internalized oppression and institutional racism, as well as the historical and current political climate regarding immigration, poverty, and welfare	CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
6. Knows public policies on the local, state, and national levels that affect the quality and accessibility of mental health services	CMHC 6xx Orientation to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
Skills and Practices
1. Maintains information regarding community resources to make appropriate referrals	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
2. Advocates for policies, programs, and services that are equitable and responsive to the unique needs of clients	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
3. Demonstrates the ability to modify counseling systems, theories, techniques, and interventions to make them culturally appropriate for diverse populations	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
ASSESSMENT IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Knowledge	Curriculum Element(s)	Assessment Method
1. Knows the principles and models of assessment, case conceptualization, theories of human development, and concepts of normalcy and psychopathology leading to diagnoses and appropriate counseling treatment plans	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
2. Understands various models and approaches to clinical evaluation and their appropriate uses, including diagnostic interviews, mental status examinations, symptom inventories, and psychoeducational and personality assessments	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
3. Understands basic classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications so that appropriate referrals can be made for medication evaluations and so that the side effects of such medications can be identified	CMHC 6xx Psychopharmacology and Biological Bases of Behavior	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
4. Identifies standard screening and assessment instruments for substance use disorders and process addictions	CMHC 6xx Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling CMHC 6xx Substance Abuse Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
Skills and Practices
1. Selects appropriate comprehensive assessment interventions to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning, with an awareness of cultural bias in the implementation and interpretation of assessment protocols	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
2. Demonstrates skill in conducting an intake interview, a mental status evaluation, a biopsychosocial history, a mental health history, and a psychological assessment for treatment planning and caseload management	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
3. Screens for addiction, aggression, and danger to self and/or others, as well as co-occurring mental disorders	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
4. Applies the assessment of a client’s stage of dependence, change, or recovery to determine the appropriate treatment modality and placement criteria within the continuum of care	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Knowledge	Curriculum Element(s)
1. Understands how to critically evaluate research relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
2. Knows models of program evaluation for clinical mental health programs	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
3. Knows evidence-based treatments and basic strategies for evaluating counseling outcomes in clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
Skills and Practices
1. Applies relevant research findings to inform the practice of clinical mental health counseling	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
2. Develops measurable outcomes for clinical mental health counseling programs, interventions, and treatments	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Research project
3. Analyzes and uses data to increase the effectiveness of clinical mental health counseling interventions and programs	CMHC 6xx Research and Evaluation	Research project
DIAGNOSIS IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Knowledge	Curriculum Element(s)
1. Knows the principles of the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis, and the use of current diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)	CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
2. Understands the established diagnostic criteria for mental and emotional disorders, and describes treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care	CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis CMHC 6xx Theories and Models of Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
3. Knows the impact of co-occurring substance use disorders on medical and psychological disorders	CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis CMHC 6xx Substance Abuse Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
4. Understands the relevance and potential biases of commonly used diagnostic tools with multicultural populations	CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis CMHC 6xx Multicultural Counseling	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
5. Understands appropriate use of diagnosis during a crisis, disaster, or other trauma causing event	CMHC 6xx Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis CMHC 6xx Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	Quizzes, Exams Written assignments
Skills and Practices
1. Demonstrates appropriate use of diagnostic tools, including the current edition of the DSM, to describe the symptoms and clinical presentation of clients with mental and emotional impairments	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
2. Is able to conceptualize an accurate multi-axial diagnosis of disorders presented by a client and discuss the differential diagnosis with collaborating professionals	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations
3. Differentiates between diagnosis and developmentally appropriate reactions during crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events	CMHC 6xx Practicum CMHC 6xx Internship	Site supervisor evaluations

4.