CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS

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CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH
COUNSELING QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
Holistic Model Approach versus Medical Model Approach Ans: Strength-
based Focus

Developmental Focus

Ecological Focus (e.g., biological, environmental)

Focus of Treatment

Approaches of Treatment

Early Sessions Ans: Discuss informed consent

Establish rapport (i.e., use basic skills)

Inquire about individual's identified problem

Observe and assess nonverbal and verbal facial expressions • Affect •
Tone • Eye contact

(1-3 session)

Middle Sessions Ans: Assessing and diagnosing the problem and goal
setting • Assess needs and desired changes

• Instill hope and overcome resistance

• Make a return appointment and assign task

• Record impressions and notes immediately

• Develop and discuss treatment plan

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(~6 session)

Late Session Ans: Use basic and advanced skills

• Emphasize and identify change

• Use appropriate humor

• Involve support network

(~8 session)

Termination Session Ans: • Plan ahead

• Summarize progress

• Discuss treatment plan

• Relapse prevention

(~12 session)

Relevant Professional Organizations Ans: 1. American Counseling
Association (ACA)

2. American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)

3. National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)

4. Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs (CACREP)

ACA (American Counseling Association) Ans: • Founded in 1952

• National Vocational Guidance Association

• American College Personnel Association

• National Association of Guidance Supervisors

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• Student Personnel Association for Teacher Education

• Represents the interests of professional counselors

• 20+ Divisions

• 20+ Interest Networks

• Nearly 60,000 members

AMHCA - American Mental Health Counselors Association Ans: •
Founded in 1976

• ACA Division in 1978

• Separate from ACA yet collaborative

• Represents interests of clinical mental health counselors

NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) Ans: • Founded in 1981

1. National Certified Counselor (NCC)

National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE)

2. Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) National Clinical
Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

3. National Certified School Counselor (NCSC)

National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE)

4. Master Addictions Counselor (MAC)

Examination for Master Addictions Counselors (EMAC) • 55,000
counselors certified

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CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs) Ans: • Founded in 1981 by ACA

• Seeks to maintain excellence in academic training standards for the
counseling professions

• Independent accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher
Education Accreditation

• CACREP 2016 Standards

unconscious incompetence Ans: you don't know that you don't know
how to do something

conscious incompetence Ans: You know that you don't know how to do
something and it bothers you.

conscious imcompetence Ans: you know that you know how to do
something and it takes effort

unconscious competence Ans: you know how to do something and it is
second nature; you rock at it

Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the 21st century Ans: 1. 53
licensing boards in states and territories

2. Managed Care Master's-level clinicians Importance of cost-
effectiveness; no diagnosis, no need for service Seeing more clients;
fewer sessions Concurrent documentation

3. Disaster and Crisis Response Counseling

4. Technology

Theory Characteristics and Components Ans: 1. View of individuals and
families (e.g., good/bad, functional/dysfunctional, blank slate, seeking
connection)

2. Dysfunction (e.g., focus on content, poor emotional expression)