What does a behavioral health counselor do?

What is a Behavioral Health Counselor?

Behavioral health counselors are healthcare practitioners who provide support and guidance to individuals dealing with a range of emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. They work with people to address issues like stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, relationship difficulties, and other behavioral health concerns. Their overriding goal is to help people improve their mental wellbeing and lead healthier lives.

What does a Behavioral Health Counselor do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Behavioral health counselors provide effective, empathetic, and individualized care to clients, helping them address mental health challenges and improve their overall quality of life. Here’s a look at what their work entails:

• Assessment and Evaluation – Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate clients’ mental health, emotional wellbeing, and behavioral challenges, often using standardized tools or interviews.
• Developing Treatment Plans – Create individualized treatment plans based on the assessment, addressing specific mental health concerns and setting achievable goals for the client.
• Providing Therapy – Deliver therapeutic interventions using various evidence-based techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or talk therapy, to help clients manage symptoms and improve mental health. DBT patients learn to accept themselves and their emotions and thoughts as they are, without judgment, and work toward making positive changes to build a life worth living. DBT treatment involves teaching people skills to learn acceptance and to help them make changes.
• Crisis Intervention – Assist clients during mental health crises by providing immediate support and helping them navigate the situation until further care or resources are available.
• Monitoring Progress – Regularly evaluate and track clients' progress toward treatment goals, adjusting the treatment plan as necessary to ensure effective care.
• Providing Support and Guidance – Offer emotional support, education, and coping strategies to help clients manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns.
• Collaboration – Work with other healthcare providers, such as psychiatrists, doctors, social workers, and family members, to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to the client's care.
• Confidentiality – Maintain strict confidentiality regarding clients' personal information and treatment plans, following ethical guidelines and legal requirements related to privacy.
• Documentation – Keep detailed records of client assessments, treatment plans, therapy sessions, and progress notes, ensuring that all documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with regulations.
• Referral to Specialists – Refer clients to other mental health professionals or services when needed, such as psychiatrists for medication management or specialized therapy for specific issues.
• Community Outreach – Educate clients and the broader community about mental health issues, reducing stigma, and promoting mental wellbeing through workshops, resources, or support groups.
• Advocacy – Help clients access resources, including financial assistance, housing, and community support, to ensure they have the tools needed for mental health and life stability.

Different Types of Behavioral Health Counselors
Behavioral health counselors may specialize in different areas of mental health and serve distinct populations:

• Clinical Mental Health Counselors work with individuals, couples, and families to address a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship problems. They often provide long-term therapy and counseling.
• Substance Abuse Counselors specialize in helping individuals struggling with addiction and substance use disorders (alcohol, drugs, etc.). They provide therapy, interventions, and support to help clients overcome their addiction and manage related mental health concerns.
• Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) specialize in working with families and couples to resolve relational issues, improve communication, and address mental health concerns that affect family dynamics, such as stress, conflict, or grief.
• Child and Adolescent Counselors specialize in working with children and teenagers, addressing behavioral issues, emotional regulation, developmental concerns, and mental health conditions like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), anxiety, and depression. Their approach is often play-based or uses child-friendly therapeutic techniques.
• Geriatric Counselors focus on the mental health needs of older adults, helping them navigate issues related to aging, such as loss of independence, depression, anxiety, dementia, and grief.
• Trauma Counselors specialize in helping individuals who have experienced significant trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, violence, accidents, or natural disasters. They use trauma-informed care to help clients process and heal from their experiences.
• Grief or Loss Counselors provide support to individuals navigating the emotional complexities of the death of a loved one or a significant life change like divorce or job loss. They help clients manage grief, adjust to life after loss, and find ways to process their emotions.
• School Counselors, often employed in educational settings, work with students to address emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. They provide counseling for issues such as bullying, academic stress, anxiety, and relationship difficulties.
• Behavioral Health Consultants work in healthcare settings, often in primary care or hospital environments, helping to integrate mental health care into physical health treatment. They focus on brief interventions and early identification of mental health concerns.
• Crisis Counselors are specialists in providing immediate support during a mental health crisis. They intervene during critical situations like suicidal ideation, panic attacks, or acute trauma, helping clients stabilize and access further care.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Specialists focus on how an individual’s thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect their feelings and actions. They teach coping skills for dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, with the goal of helping clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
• Eating Disorders Specialists help individuals who struggle with eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. They provide specialized counseling and work with interdisciplinary teams to address both the psychological and physical aspects of these disorders.
• Health and Wellness Coaches are counselors who focus on the integration of mental health with overall wellness. They may work with clients on stress management, healthy habits, coping with chronic illness, or mental health maintenance, often in conjunction with other healthcare.
• LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Counselors specialize in LGBTQ+ issues, providing support for individuals navigating challenges related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and discrimination. They focus on helping clients cope with societal stigma and personal identity challenges.
• Sports and Performance Psychology Specialists work with athletes or individuals in high-performance fields, addressing mental health concerns related to performance anxiety, motivation, focus, and stress management.

What is the workplace of a Behavioral Health Counselor like?

Behavioral health counselors can work in a wide variety of settings, reflecting the diversity of the populations they serve and the issues they address. These are among their most common employers:

• Private Practices – Many counselors work in independent or group practices, providing one-on-one therapy and counseling to individuals, couples, and families.
• Hospitals and Medical Centers – Behavioral health counselors often work in hospitals, particularly within psychiatric units, emergency departments, or integrated healthcare settings, providing mental health support to patients with medical conditions.
• Community Mental Health Centers – These centers offer a range of mental health services, and counselors may provide therapy, crisis intervention, and case management for individuals and families in the community.
• Schools and Universities – School counselors work in K-12 schools or college counseling centers, offering support for students dealing with issues impacting their mental and emotional health.
• Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities – Behavioral health counselors who specialize in addiction work in rehabilitation centers, outpatient treatment programs, or detoxification centers.
• Government and Non-profit Agencies – Various government and non-profit organizations, such as those focused on mental health advocacy, crisis support, or public health, employ counselors to provide services to underserved populations or in response to specific community needs.
• Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities – Geriatric behavioral health counselors are employed in nursing homes, assisted living, or long-term care facilities.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) – Some counselors are employed by businesses or organizations to provide mental health support and counseling services to employees as part of employee wellness programs, offering support for stress, work-life balance, and personal issues.
• Military and Veterans' Services – Behavioral health counselors work in military settings or with veterans’ organizations, offering mental health support for service members dealing with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other challenges related to their service.
• Correctional Facilities – Counselors may work in prisons or juvenile detention centers, providing therapy and behavioral support to incarcerated individuals dealing with mental health issues, trauma, or substance abuse.
• Outpatient Clinics – Many counselors work in outpatient settings, providing ongoing therapy and counseling to individuals with mental health needs on an outpatient basis rather than as inpatients.
• Insurance Companies – Behavioral health counselors may also be employed by insurance companies to conduct assessments, case management, or telehealth services for clients seeking mental health benefits.
• Research Institutions and Universities – Some behavioral health counselors work in academic or research settings, conducting studies on mental health or working as part of clinical research teams.

The work setting of a behavioral health counselor can vary widely. In private practice, counselors typically work in comfortable, quiet offices designed to create a welcoming and safe space for clients. The environment is generally calm, with neutral colors and cozy furniture to help clients feel at ease during their sessions. In clinical settings, like hospitals and medical centers, the pace is generally accelerated and requires the counselor to handle acute situations and collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team. Counselors in prisons, jails, or juvenile detention centers work in a particularly structured and controlled environment, with strict security measures in place.

With the growing trend of telehealth, behavioral health counselors may work remotely, providing therapy via video calls, phone sessions, or chat. This setting offers flexibility and convenience for both counselors and clients, but it can also require a well-organized home office or digital platform to ensure secure and effective counseling.