Mission of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Antioch University New England Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program fosters the development of professional identity by encouraging an active, thorough, and continuing examination of the development of ones self in the role of a professional counselor (self-in-role). The program prepares professional counselors to work in a multicultural, global community, with individuals, groups, and social systems, to promote mental health and well-being.

Program Objectives

Community: The CMHC program educates counselors who are respectful, informed, and skilled in meeting the needs of community.

Employers: The CMHC program trains ethical, competent, counselors ready to meet the challenges of the current contexts and contribute to the field and to the organizations within which they work. The CMHC program is a resource to the clinical mental health community, especially in New England.

Students: Graduates of the CMHC Program will have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to function as a professional clinical mental health counselor. They will be prepared for employment in a variety of settings and able to meet certification and licensure standards as mental health counselors. Specifically, graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in:

core areas of professional identity, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research and program evaluation
the specialty area of mental health counseling: the foundations of mental health counseling, contextual dimensions of mental health counseling, and skills and practices of mental health counseling
principles and standards of professional ethics
social and cultural contexts and their influence on individuals, group and systems in the practice of mental health counseling
diverse treatment settings and practice orientations found throughout New England
self-reflection as a mental health counselor in diverse environments
professional identity as a mental health counselor, and demonstrate and apply an individual philosophy of practice developed through critical analysis and research
contributing to the professional community, through written and verbal communication, and through appropriate and ethical use of technology
collaborative advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, well-being and success for clients

Last Updated: 6/17/10