Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science (MS)
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization is designed for students wishing preparation as counselors or therapists in settings such as: mental health centers, hospitals, residential treatment centers, employment services, as well as private and group practices. Clinical mental health counselors are also frequently found in juvenile correction facilities, community colleges, pastoral services, and business and industry. Graduates are eligible for licensure (LMHCA, LMHC) in the state of Washington.
Classes and Experiences Are Organized Around Four Objectives:
- a thorough preparation in foundation skills and principles;
- a functional mastery of techniques in various therapy modes; e.g., cognitive, affective, behavioral;
- coverage of principles, issues and trends in the psychology of counseling; and
- self awareness as it relates to the counseling process.
Practical application is stressed. Students are provided early and continuous skill practice with personalized feedback and coaching. Continuous opportunities for expanding awareness of the self of the counselor will be provided.
The program is both extensive and comprehensive. It is nationally accredited by CACREP and fulfills education requirements for licensure for mental health counselors. Graduates can complete the NBCC exam for National Counselor Certification.
Program Requirement: Successful completion of comprehensive examination of conceptual attainments is required.
| LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT IN COUNSELING | 4 |
| EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH FOR COUNSELING | 4 |
| INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING | 4 |
| CAREER COUNSELING | 4 |
| COUNSELING THEORY AND TECHNIQUES | 4 |
| APPRAISAL IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING | 4 |
| TRAUMA INFORMED COUNSELING | 4 |
| COUNSELING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS | 4 |
| RELATIONAL COUNSELING | 4 |
| INTRODUCTORY COUNSELING SKILLS | 4 |
| ADVANCED COUNSELING SKILLS | 4 |
| DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING | 4 |
| PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING | 4 |
| SEXUALITY IN COUNSELING | 3 |
| GROUP EXPERIENCE | 1 |
| GROUP THEORY AND PROCESS | 4 |
| ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR COUNSELING | 4 |
| CRISIS INTERVENTION | 4 |
| MULTICULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN COUNSELING | 4 |
| SUICIDE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT | 1 |
| PRACTICUM | 4 |
| INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING (over four quarters) | 16 |
| Total Credits | 93 |
Students who earn an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from EWU should be able to:
- apply ethical standards of professional counseling organizations in professional counseling;
- understand and apply the multicultural counseling competencies when working with clinical mental health clients;
- demonstrate knowledge of individual and family development and learning;
- understand and apply theories and models of career development and decision making when working with clients;
- adopt a guiding theory of counseling that will serve as a foundation for practicing counseling in a clinical mental health setting;
- understand group processes and dynamics for working with persons in different stages of development across the lifespan;
- use assessment for diagnostic and intervention planning purposes;
- demonstrate an understanding of the importance of research in advancing the counseling profession, including how to critique research to inform counseling practice;
- be able to develop a case conceptualization informed by diagnosis, evidence based practice, and guiding theory of counseling based in multicultural counseling.
