Program Objectives

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program prepares students for work in various community settings, such as youth service agencies, mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, and correctional facilities. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program objectives are: 

  1. To prepare reflective clinical mental health counselors to be technologically competent, professional, ethical decision-­makers, and knowledgeable of legal matters. 
  2. To prepare clinical mental health counselors to be multicultural and social justice competent leaders who tailor their approaches to align with clients’ cultural worldview, practice advocacy, value diversity, and promote social justice. 
  3. To prepare clinical mental health counselors to use knowledge of human growth and development to improve client understanding, addictions, well-­being, and to enhance resiliency from a multicultural and social justice framework. 
  4. To prepare clinical mental health counselors with career development knowledge and skills to help clients make informed career decisions. 
  5. To prepare clinical mental health counselors to demonstrate understanding and application of established and emerging counseling theories through effective use of empowerment techniques for working with diverse populations. 
  6. To prepare clinical mental health counselors to demonstrate an understanding of established and emerging group counseling theories through effective use of group techniques for working with diverse populations. 
  7. To prepare clinical mental health counselors to use their understanding of assessment to assess individuals’ abilities, aptitudes, achievements and interests. 
  8. To prepare clinical mental health counselors to utilize research to evaluate services and make research based professional judgments. 
  9. To prepare community counselors with the foundation to effectively work in a clinical mental health agency and respond to substance use disorder issues. 
  10. To prepare clinical mental health counselors who understand the role of a clinical mental health agency within the larger community. 
  11. To prepare clinical mental health counselors with knowledge and skills to provide quality service in clinical mental health settings that lead to a more just and humane world.