Mental health counselors provide therapeutic support to individuals facing mental, emotional, and/or behavioral health issues, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and anger management. They may also help clients through issues relating to parenting, relationships, and substance abuse. They meet clients one-on-one or in groups, or they may work with couples or families together. They help their clients establish goals and develop approaches to address issues they are dealing with. With the mental health stigma fading in recent decades, more people have opened up to the benefits of seeking professional help to overcome their issues. Unfortunately, according to recent data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, there is a critical need for healthcare professionals in the United States, leaving nearly half of the country's population in a mental health workplace shortage area.
Becoming a mental health counselor takes focused education, a master's degree, postgraduate internship experience for certification/licensure requirements, required counseling exams, and continued education to stay up to date on mental health counseling trends and changes. Becoming a mental health counselor is already a huge investment of time and money by the time you reach your internship. One single complaint made by a patient, coworker, or employer can throw your entire career journey off course.
This guide to Mental Health Counselor Internship Issues will explain some of the disciplinary you may face as you journey through your training and what your options are should someone accuse you of professional wrongdoing in order to protect your future career in mental health services. If you have any questions, call the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. Our experienced attorney-advisors have helped interns like you across the country understand and resolve allegations against them.
Mental Health Counselor Internship Requirements
There are several steps mental health students much go through before they can become licensed mental health counselors. First, they must complete a bachelor's degree in a behavioral, social science, or psychology field. Coursework typically includes the evaluation of human development, counseling skills, introduction to psychology, and basic approaches to counseling. A bachelor's degree focused on mental health helps set the groundwork for graduate studies, which is the next step a student must take before becoming a licensed professional in the field.
Students are required to get a master's degree in mental health counseling from an institution accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation ensures that the program's content and quality meet the high standards of the mental health profession. Every state does not require a CACREP-accredited degree, and other accreditations for specific degree specialties may exist.
A crucial step of accredited counseling master's programs is the graduate supervised counseling experience. These programs allow students to explore their future roles as licensed professional mental health counselors through hands-on experience under another licensed professional counselor. CACREP generally requires at least 100 hours over the student's full academic term, or 10 weeks, including 40 hours of direct client contact. An internship should occur after the student has completed the practicum and include at least 600 hours and 240 hours of direct client contact in the student's specialty area.
Direct client experience under the direction of a licensed professional counselor through an internship is required before the student can become licensed. Some states require several thousand clinical hours for different levels of licensure. To obtain a license, students must pass a recognized counseling examination for graduation or licensure, such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination. Some states have additional exam requirements for licensure. Once the student passes the necessary exams, they can apply for a license, for which the student must follow the counseling board for the state they will practice in. They can also apply for and earn additional mental health certifications to specialize in certain mental health challenges, concerns, or disorders. Furthermore, mental health counselors must stay current on mental health trends in care, counseling, and client advocacy to maintain their professional license.
What Kind of Discipline Can Mental Health Counselors Encounter?
Mental health counselors may work at clinics or hospitals or work independently. Either way, there are a few ways students studying to be mental health counselors can face accusations of misconduct during their internship:
- Employer Discipline: As a mental health counselor intern, you may work in public or private hospitals, outpatient clinics, or private counseling offices. Licensed professional counselors supervise interns and expect interns to act professionally. You will likely be given an employee handbook by your employer or instructed on expected behavior, as well as actions that could lead to disciplinary measures or termination. Being disciplined or terminated during an internship can significantly derail your career plans and could prevent you from finding other internship opportunities to finish the required clinical hours. If you can finish your internship, a complaint could scar your record and impede your ability to obtain licensure. An experienced attorney-advisor can help you protect your career in mental health counseling should someone accuse you of wrongdoing.
- State Licensing Discipline: Before you can practice as a mental health counselor, you must obtain a license in the state where you plan to practice and abide by their rules and codes of ethics. Each board has its own procedures for handling complaints. If the board notifies you that someone has made a complaint of wrongdoing against you, you must take it seriously from the get-go. Complaints can escalate quickly, and you'll want to build a strong defense as soon as possible. An attorney-advisor from the Lento Law Firm can help guide you through the disciplinary process and help improve your chances of a satisfactory outcome.
- National Association Discipline: American Mental Health Counselors Association requires all mental health counselors, including interns, to follow its Code of Ethics. Violating any condition in this code can lead to disciplinary action. For interns, this can mean missing out on the opportunity to obtain the necessary clinical hours needed for your license. Never take a complaint lightly; never think you can fight these accusations alone. You need the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm by your side, fighting for your best interests.
What Kind of Misconduct Can Result in Discipline?
A mental health counselor intern may face disciplinary actions from their employer, the state board, or the national board due to various types of misconduct.
- Substance abuse misconduct: Alcohol and drugs can impair your judgment and pose risks to clients. Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol can severely affect your career.
- Practice-related misconduct. Much like licensed professional counselors, mental health interns must adhere to standard procedures and follow the directions of their supervisors. Failure to follow their instruction may result in accusations of practice-related misconduct.
- Sexual misconduct. Engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with a client can lead to serious allegations of sexual misconduct.
- Fraud. Billing for services not rendered or misrepresenting services performed to an employer can lead to accusations of fraud. These accusations not only put your career at risk, but you may also face criminal charges.
How Are Misconduct Allegations Resolved?
Allegations of misconduct can come from your employer, a coworker, a client, or a governing board. The procedures for investigating and resolving such claims may differ, but they generally follow similar steps when addressing misconduct allegations.
First, the board body will thoroughly examine the allegation to determine if it involves conduct that could lead to disciplinary action. Not every complaint automatically warrants disciplinary measures.
Sometimes, the board handling the complaint may propose a resolution outlining specific consequences for actions deemed concerning. These disciplinary actions can range from mild reprimands to more severe penalties, such as written censures, mandated courses, or temporary prohibition from practice. Students should carefully evaluate the offer before deciding whether to accept it. This is where the guidance of an advisor-attorney proves priceless. An experienced student defense lawyer can work to get the complaint dismissed or fight to lessen any disciplinary action.
Even if the initial hearing does not rule in your favor, you may be able to appeal the board's decision. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team has extensive handling of appeals on behalf of students. They work closely with you to identify appeal issues and draft compelling arguments in your case.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team Can Help
If you train to become a mental health counselor, one small slip-up or accusation can derail your career plans. Don't let all those hours of training and money spent toward your goals go to waste. If the board informs you that someone has made an accusation of wrongdoing against you, stand up and fight by retaining the legal services of the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm.
You have invested too much time and money toward a career as a mental health counselor. Your internship is one of the last steps before getting your license to practice. Don't let an accusation of misconduct sabotage your plans. Call The Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us to set up a confidential consultation with our Student Defense Team and let us discuss your case.
