Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Implications

Inclusion: Inclusion in medical terms refers to putting into practice all the principles of clinical mental health counseling. A mental health counselor can combine all the principles of mental health counseling during therapy. It entails incorporating the virtues of trust, loyalty, equality, truthfulness and all the other principles in treatment. Inclusion shows that the counselor is empowered with the right formula for therapy; he/she possesses all the ingredients necessary for successful treatment of the patient. The impact of these principles into a counselors practice is very significant, since a counselor is more capable of taking care of his or her patients when the principles are taken into serious consideration (Gerig,

Part of being an effective counselor relies on knowing when you can be of assistance to your clients and when your duties as a counselor prevent you from causing undue harm. Your limitations as a counselor are determined by your level of experience, your expertise in a given counseling area and the legal requirements regarding your responsibility to warn in your practicing state (Oster&Media, 2014). However, at initiation and throughout the counseling process, counselor inform client of the limitation of confidentiality and seek to identify situation in which confidentiality must be breached (ACA Code of Ethics).

Supervision: Counselors should not practice outside of their area of expertise without proper training and supervision. A counselor practicing in an academic setting may have received basic training in the treatment of patients with chemical addictions; however, if this counselor has not had experience in the treatment of addictions, she should seek supervision and training in the area prior to engaging in active treatment with an addictions client. When appropriate, counselors should refer their clients to other counselors qualified in treating their patient's specific needs (Oster&Media, 2014).

Practice as

Unlike physicians and lawyers, counselors do not share the right of privileged communication, meaning that information discussed with your client and any private notes pertaining to your client can be subpoenaed by a court of law. Counselors are also required to break their promise of confidentiality when the threat of foreseeable harm to the client or other identified parties is made, including the abuse or neglect of a minor or incapacitated adult. The parents of a minor child may also have legal rights in your state to discuss issues raised during therapy sessions with their child. The specifics of what needs to be reported to who ultimately varies based on local and state laws, so counselors should consult with their state Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and local court clerk for information pertinent to their specific duty to warn (Oster&Media,