Advanced Certificate In Mental Health Counseling Online

Last Updated on August 25, 2023

The Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling online program can better prepare you for a career as a therapist or counselor by offering a combination of professional development and counselling skills development.

The Advanced Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a “licensure-qualifying” bridge program approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). In order to be admitted to the program, students must have a master’s degree in school counseling or other related counseling degree and specified core educational content areas as delineated in the state regulations for mental health counselor licensure. Individuals must have a minimum of 60 graduate credits and in designated curriculum areas to qualify for licensure. Depending on the number of credits in their master’s degree program candidates may be required to take additional coursework from 18-24 credits to ensure meeting the state requirements of a minimum of 60 graduate credits. 

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Whether you are alfred university advanced certificate in mental health counseling or are simply looking to boost your current efforts, you are sure to find value in this article. Follow along as we explore the advantages of obtaining an advanced certificate in mental health counseling online.

Are you interested in becoming a mental health counselor? Do you have some experience working with people who need help dealing with their emotions, family relationships, or psychological distress? If so, an advanced certificate in mental health counseling might be the perfect fit for you.

The Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling is an online program designed to give you the skills and knowledge to help your clients overcome various types of emotional trauma and psychological issues. You’ll learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of emotional problems, as well as how to treat them effectively.

The program does not require you to be licensed, but it does help prepare you for the licensing process. It’s designed for professionals who want to expand their career options or get ready to take their first steps into helping people with mental illnesses.

Advanced certificate in clinical mental health counseling

Advanced Certificate/Bridge Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Advanced Certificate/Bridge program in clinical mental health counseling is designed for students with a master’s degree in a related field (school counseling, school psychology, counseling psychology, etc.) who are interested in pursuing Mental Health Counseling licensure. The Advanced Certificate/Bridge program in clinical mental health counseling will satisfy New York State’s regulations for licensure and will prepare students to take the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination for licensure in New York state.

The change in the licensure laws for mental health practitioners resulted in many certified and non-certified masters-level clinicians (i.e. CASAC, NCC, CRC, school counselors) who need to pursue a course of continued study that will lead to eligibility to sit for NYS licensure. The Advanced Certificate in clinical mental health counseling is designed to provide advanced courses and clinical experiences in clinical mental health counseling that will meet New York state educational requirements.

All Advanced Certificate/Bridge program applicants will take a minimum of 15 credit hours. Depending on courses completed toward a master’s degree, some applicants may be required to take additional courses due to the curriculum of their previous master’s in order to meet New York state licensure requirements. State counselor licensure is New York is called licensed mental health counselor (LMHC). The courses listed below have been approved by the New York Department of Education as the Niagara University bridge program. Also,

The Advanced Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a “licensure-qualifying” bridge program approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). In order to be admitted to the program, students must have a master’s degree in school counseling or other related counseling degree and specified core educational content areas as delineated in the state regulations for mental health counselor licensure. Individuals must have a minimum of 60 graduate credits and in designated curriculum areas to qualify for licensure. Depending on the number of credits in their master’s degree program candidates may be required to take additional coursework from 18-24 credits to ensure meeting the state requirements of a minimum of 60 graduate credits. 

Upon application candidates will have their transcript(s) reviewed by the department to ascertain the needed number of graduate credits required for the advanced certificate.

Upon completion of the advanced certificate the individual will automatically meet the educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in New York State. They will then be eligible to file for a “limited permit” and begin accruing the 3000 post master’s experiential hours required for licensure. They will also be eligible to file to take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) which is the licensure examination designated by the State. There is also the possibility that the Office of the Professions may accept experiential hours gained after the receipt of the individual’s master’s degree if the experience was in an approved setting under the supervision of a recognized licensed mental health professional.

ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS

Accreditation

The Advanced Certificate program is not CACREP accredited as CACREP does not accredit advanced certificate programs. Only’s master’s degree and doctoral degree programs are accredited by CACREP. The Advanced Certificate program is approved by the NYSED, Office of the Professions as a licensure-qualifying program. 

Both our School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs at LIU Post are fully accredited by the Council of Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). By maintaining CACREP accreditation, the program strives to provide the highest quality of faculty and curriculum standards. 

LIU Post has been approved by OASAS (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services) as an Education and Training Provider. Our master’s degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meets all the educational requirements for the  CASAC-T (Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor – Trainee Certificate). 

The Advanced Certificate in CMHC offers the opportunity for individuals with a master’s degree in school counseling or other related counseling fields to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor in New York State.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Post-Master's Degree Advanced Certificate:  Online, On Campus or Hybrid Course Options | Medaille College

Advanced Certificate In Mental Health Counseling Online

The mental health counseling program, accredited by New York State, focuses on the development of counseling knowledge and skills, supported by research and other empirical evidence. After completing this program, you will meet the requirements for being license-eligible as a mental health counselor in New York State. The program is based on a philosophy that emphasizes personal and professional growth, respect for human diversity, multicultural competence, social justice, client strengths and ethical responsibility.

This Advanced Graduate Certificate is designed for individuals who hold a master’s degree in counseling and aspire to earn a license to counsel people with mental health diagnoses. Completion of this program results in student eligibility to take the New York State licensing exam in Mental Health Counseling. Coursework includes Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling, Human Growth and Development, Introduction to Mental Health Counseling, Psychopathology and Evidence-Based Interventions, and Assessment in Mental Health Counseling. This coursework is followed by clinical instruction and a supervised internship. In this program you will study with both scholars and practitioners alike.

liu advanced certificate in mental health counseling

The Liu Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling is a two-year program that provides students with the opportunity to learn about counseling and experience all that Vassar College has to offer. This program is affiliated with the Liu Center for the Advancement of Mental Health as well as SUNY Empire State College .

Upon application candidates will have their transcript(s) reviewed by the department to ascertain the needed number of graduate credits required for the advanced certificate.

Upon completion of the advanced certificate the individual will automatically meet the educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in New York State. They will then be eligible to file for a “limited permit” and begin accruing the 3000 post master’s experiential hours required for licensure. They will also be eligible to file to take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) which is the licensure examination designated by the State. There is also the possibility that the Office of the Professions may accept experiential hours gained after the receipt of the individual’s master’s degree if the experience was in an approved setting under the supervision of a recognized licensed mental health professional.

For Gainful Employment information, visit www.liu.edu/ge.

Accreditation

The Advanced Certificate program is not CACREP accredited as CACREP does not accredit advanced certificate programs. Only’s master’s degree and doctoral degree programs are accredited by CACREP. The Advanced Certificate program is approved by the NYSED, Office of the Professions as a licensure-qualifying program. 

Both our School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs at LIU Post are fully accredited by the Council of Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). By maintaining CACREP accreditation, the program strives to provide the highest quality of faculty and curriculum standards. 

LIU Post has been approved by OASAS (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services) as an Education and Training Provider. Our master’s degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meets all the educational requirements for the  CASAC-T (Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor – Trainee Certificate). 

The Advanced Certificate in CMHC offers the opportunity for individuals with a master’s degree in school counseling or other related counseling fields to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor in New York State.

Teaching Certification Requirements

The LIU Post College of Education, Information and Technology offers degree programs in Early Childhood, Childhood Education, Middle Childhood, Adolescence Education, Special Education, Literacy, School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Speech-Language and Pathology, School District Business Leader, School Building Leader, and Library and Information Science/School Library Media, all of which lead to certification in New York State.

Requirements for teacher certification in New York includes successful completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree; passing of certification tests (basic skills and subject-specific knowledge); completing workshops in child abuse identification and violence prevention; fingerprinting; field experience; and student teaching. LIU Post’s College of Education, Information and Technology undergraduate and graduate degrees and advanced certificate programs are designed to prepare students to meet these certification requirements.

In their senior year, education majors at LIU Post are eligible to apply for New York State certification through the LIU Post Office of Clinical Education and Professional Certification. The Office will process the student’s application for certification.

LIU Post prepares students for two levels of certification in New York State — Initial and Professional:

  • Initial Certification is the minimum certification required to teach in New York State. The entry-level certificate is valid for 5 years and is issued in a specific subject and/or grade level. Initial Certification leads to the Professional Certificate. After three years of professional teaching experience, you can apply for the Professional Certificate to continue to be certified in New York State. All teacher-training bachelor’s and master’s programs in LIU Post’s College of Education, Information and Technology lead to Initial Certification. Initial Certification is also available for the School Building Leader master’s and advanced certificate programs.
  • Professional Certification is required to continue teaching in New York State. This advanced-level certificate is continuously valid with completion of state required professional development hours (i.e., graduate courses or a master’s degree) on a 5-year cycle.

Many students at LIU Post are pursuing master’s degrees and advanced certificates to become certified in another area, to expand their area of expertise, and/or to receive a salary increase in their school district.

Requirements for New York State Certification (Institutional Recommendation):

  1. Completion of the approved degree program
  2. Field Experience
  3. Violence Prevention Seminar (Project S.A.V.E.)
  4. Child Abuse Identification Seminar
  5. Fingerprinting Investigation
  6. Student Teaching
  7. Pass all New York State Teacher Certification Exams (if applicable)

alfred university advanced certificate in mental health counseling

The Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Mental Health Counseling is designed to be a “bridge program” for individuals who have already earned a Master’s degree in counseling, but who do not meet the required coursework and experience for mental health counseling licensure. This includes Master’s degrees in school counseling, community-agency counseling, and college counseling/college student development, or older general counseling degrees.

SCHOOL/DIVISION

School of Graduate & Continuing Studies

DEGREES

Mental Health Counseling (MS Ed, CAS)

LMHC Credentials

Individuals who successfully complete this State Education Department approved program will meet the requirements for eligibility for the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential in New York State.

Designed For Convenience

Alfred University off-campus graduate programs are designed for non-traditional students who are employed in full-time positions. To accommodate normal work schedules, classes meet for one full day session on either Saturday or Sunday, with each course consisting of five full day class sessions. Students enter with a cohort that moves through the program together on the same schedule.

Requirements

Each applicant to the program must have a supervisor or another professional familiar with the applicant’s work as a counselor complete the Certificate of Advanced Study in Mental Health Counseling Applicant Evaluation Form, available once the application process has begun.

Individuals seeking to obtain the LMHC are required to complete the following post-training requirements, whether they graduate from a certificate or a Master’s program:

  • 3,000 additional hours of supervised mental health counseling experience. This equates to approximately 2 years of full-time experience.
  • Pass the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) examination administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Courses

>The programs offered off-campus follow the exact same curricula as those on Alfred University’s main campus. Instructors include regular Alfred University faculty and experienced adjunct faculty.

The CAS is an 18 graduate credit program consisting of four three-credit classroom-based courses and two three-credit internship courses spanning three semesters.

>Students are required to complete Foundations of Mental Health Counseling and Psychopathology, before starting their internships. The two remaining classroom-based courses may be completed during the internship.

Semester 1

  • COUN 603 Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
  • COUN 615 Psychopathology and Differential Diagnosis

Semester 2

  • COUN 619 Program Development and Grantsmanship
  • COUN 663 Internship in Mental Health Counseling I

Semester 3

  • COUN 628 Assessment in Mental Health Counseling
  • or COUN 641 Counseling Special Populations
  • COUN 664 Internship in Mental Health Counseling II

suny mental health counseling programs online

Degree Type

Master of Science

School

School of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Admission to the MS in Mental Health Counseling program is competitive. Applications should be submitted by April 1. Applications will be received and reviewed until the cohort is filled. To ensure consideration for the program it is recommended that students apply between January and March.

SUNY Old Westbury’s Master of Science degree program in Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare professional counselors to practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs and substance abuse treatment centers.

Old Westbury’s “licensure qualifying” program prepares its students to sit for the exam for licensure in New York State as a Mental Health Counselor.

Mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide a full range of services including:

  • Assessment and diagnosis
  • Psychotherapy
  • Treatment planning and utilization review
  • Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment
  • Psychoeducational and prevention programs
  • Crisis management

Admissions Requirements

Blurred photo of a three-person discussion
  • Baccalaureate degree in Psychology or other relevant field from a regionally accredited institution. Minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all undergraduate and graduate work, with at least a 3.0 average in psychology courses, or strong evidence of recent academic achievement. Applicants holding graduate degrees in a related field will be evaluated using their graduate grade point average, which must be a minimum of 3.0.
  • Successful completion of 15 credits of undergraduate coursework in Psychology is required. Credits in General Psychology, Statistics, Experimental Methods or Research Methods in Social Science, Abnormal Psychology and Personality Theory are recommended.
  • Completed application for admission to the MS in Mental Health Counseling Program Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers
  • Completion of personal statement
  • Admission interview with MHC faculty

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students must meet additional criteria, including the following TOEFL scores: paper exam = 550; computer exam= 213; Internet exam= 80. Students taking the IELTS English (Cambridge) exams must pass with a broad band score of 6.5. Students must also have their overseas documents evaluated by AACRAO International or WES (World Education Services). Preference is given to applicants who have work or volunteer experience in activities related to counseling

10 Best Online Therapy Platforms for Good Mental Health in 2021

Bridge to Counseling Program

No matter how little academic or professional counseling experience you have, you can make a difference as a mental health counselor through our Bridge to Counseling Program. Unique to The Family Institute at Northwestern University, the Bridge Program gives you a strong foundation that eases you into our rigorous curriculum so you can fully grasp graduate-level concepts.

If your undergraduate degree is not in psychology or a related field, you lack paid or volunteer counseling experience, or you are interested in a deeper orientation to the counseling field, you are encouraged to apply to the Bridge Program.

The Counseling@Northwestern admissions committee will make the final decision about which program you should enroll in, should you be admitted.

The Bridge Program features the same 24-course sequence as the Standard Program, with an additional introductory, three-course quarter that orients you to the key theories, concepts, and applied aspects of the field. The program can be completed on an accelerated full-time, traditional, or part-time basis.

California regulations require the equivalent of at least two quarters of coursework in order to begin your Practicum season. Therefore, California residents are only eligible for admission to the traditional and part-time tracks. 

Sample course schedules for each track can be found below:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Post-Master's Degree Advanced  Certificate: Online, On Campus or Hybrid Course Options | Medaille College

Bridge Program: Accelerated Track Sample Course Sequence (Seven-Quarter)

QuarterCourse Title
Bridge477-6: Introduction to Clinical Practice
Bridge478-6: Introduction to Clinical Interviewing
Bridge479-6: Current Topics in Counseling
1480-6: Counseling Methods: Skills for Counseling and Psychotherapy
1416-6: Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy
1483-6: Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
1486-6: Supervised Practicum
2481-6: Counseling Methods: Strategies for Counseling and Psychotherapy
2426-6: Assessment of Counseling (Adult/Child)
2412-6: Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
2487-6: Supervised Practicum
3482-6: Counseling Methods: Outreach, Prevention & Advocacy
3Required Human Development Course
3415-6: Psychopathology in Counseling
3488-6: Supervised Practicum
4484-6: Cultural Diversity in Counseling
4411-6: Individual Systems: Psychodynamic Viewpoints
4Required Specialization Course
4489-6: Supervised Internship
5422-6: Foundations of Family, Marital and Couples Counseling
5406-6: Research Methods in Counseling
5452-6: Theory & Technique of Substance Abuse
5490-6: Supervised Internship
6427-6: Career Development
6485-6: Advanced Topics in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
6Elective
6491-6: Supervised Internship
Mental Health Counseling Programs | Psychology Degree Guide

Bridge Program: Traditional Track Sample Course Sequence (10-Quarter)

QuarterCourse Title
Bridge477-6: Introduction to Clinical Practice
Bridge478-6: Introduction to Clinical Interviewing
Bridge479-6: Current Topics in Counseling
1416-6: Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy
1484-6: Cultural Diversity in Counseling
2452-6: Theory & Technique of Substance Abuse
2426-6: Assessment in Counseling (Adult/Child)
3483-6: Ethics and Legal Issues
3411-6: Individual Systems: Psychodynamic Viewpoints
4480-6: Counseling Methods: Skills for Counseling and Psychotherapy
4415-6: Psychopathology in Counseling
4486-6: Supervised Practicum
5Required Human Development Course
5481-6: Counseling Methods: Strategies for Counseling and Psychotherapy
5487-6: Supervised Practicum
6412-6: Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
6482-6: Counseling Methods: Outreach, Prevention & Advocacy
6488-6: Supervised Practicum
7Required Specialization Course
7422-6: Foundations of Family, Marital and Couples Counseling
7489-6: Supervised Internship
8406-6: Research Methods in Counseling
8Elective
8490-6: Supervised Internship
9427-6: Career Development
9485-6: Advanced Topics in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
9491-6: Supervised Internship
Speak and we'll listen | The Universities at Shady Grove (USG)

Bridge Program: Part-Time Track Sample Course Sequence (13-Quarter)

QuarterCourse Title
Bridge477-6: Introduction to Clinical Practice
Bridge478-6: Introduction to Clinical Interviewing
Bridge479-6: Current Topics in Counseling
1416-6: Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy
1484-6: Cultural Diversity in Counseling
2426-6: Assessment in Counseling (Adult/Child)
2452-6: Theory & Technique of Substance Abuse
3411-6: Individual Systems: Psychodynamic Viewpoints
3427-6: Career Development
4Required Human Development Course
4422-6: Foundations of Family, Marital, and Couples Counseling
5Required Specialization Course
5412-6: Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
6483-6: Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
6415-6: Psychopathology in Counseling
7480-6: Counseling Methods: Skills for Counseling and Psychotherapy
7486-6: Supervised Practicum
8481-6: Counseling Methods: Strategies for Counseling and Psychotherapy
8487-6: Supervised Practicum
9482-6: Counseling Methods: Outreach, Prevention & Advocacy
9488-6: Supervised Practicum
10Elective
10489-6: Supervised Internship
11490-6: Supervised Internship
11406-6: Research Methods in Counseling
12485-6: Advanced Topics in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
12491-6: Supervised Internship
Pennsylvania Psychologists Continuing Education Information 2 -  pdresources.org

Course Descriptions

What You Will Learn as an Online Student

Counseling@Northwestern courses have been carefully designed by Northwestern faculty in conjunction with a skilled production team to teach effective therapeutic techniques while supplementing relevant clinical experiences and immersions. Our program follows a cohort model, so each course builds on the one before it.

Mental Health Counselor: Education and Career Information

As a Counseling@Northwestern student, you will take the following types of courses:

Required Courses

You will take all of the following courses whether you are in the Bridge or Standard Program.

406-6 Research Methods in Counseling

This course provides an understanding of types of research methods, basic statistics, and ethical considerations in research; principles, practices, and applications of needs assessment and program evaluations.

411-6 Individuals & Systems: Psychodynamic Viewpoints

This course covers psychodynamic theories of personality and social systems; application to analysis of interpersonal and helping relationships; personality development and dynamics; and psychopathology, assessment, and intervention in relation to individuals and organizations.

412-6 Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy

This course provides an understanding of group dynamics and intergroup relations, including purpose, development, dynamics, theories, methods, and skills, in a multicultural context. The course explores application to decision-making groups, educational groups, therapy groups, and human-service delivery groups and systems. This course includes participation in a weekend group relations conference.

415-6 Psychopathology in Counseling

This course covers development of diagnosis skills using the DSM-5; application of diagnostic information to current events; clinical, developmental, and family systems research; and the onset and dynamics of common psychiatric disorders.

416-6 Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy

This course is an-depth examination of the basic theoretical frameworks that inform the practice of counseling and psychotherapy.

422-6 Foundations of Family, Marital, and Couples Counseling

This course covers theoretical foundations of family, marital, and couples therapy as well as a systematic examination of major models, theories, skills, and practices.

426-6 Assessment in Counseling (Adult Focus)

This course provides an understanding of individual approaches to assessment in a multicultural society across the life span and review of commonly used assessments in counseling, including rationale, characteristics, administration, and interpretation. This course has an additional specific focus on adult development.

427-6 Career Development

This course covers theories of career choice, career commitment, and life-course development applied to research and practice in career counseling.

452-6 Theory & Technique of Substance Abuse

This course is an introduction to substance abuse and addiction; effects of addictions on relationships, jobs, and community; current treatment options; and the counselor’s role in recovery.

480-6 Counseling Methods: Skills for Counseling & Psychotherapy

This course focuses on the development of skills, concepts, and core competencies related to the practice of counseling and psychotherapy. The course includes evaluation of practice sessions with actual clients and must be taken in conjunction with 486-6, 487-6, and 488-6 Supervised Practicum in Counseling.

481-6 Counseling Methods: Strategies for Counseling & Psychotherapy

This course familiarizes students with advanced methods and concepts related to case conceptualization, treatment planning, and interventions. The course includes evaluation of practice sessions with actual clients and must be taken in conjunction with 486-6, 487-6, and 488-6 Supervised Practicum in Counseling.

482-6 Counseling Methods: Outreach, Prevention, & Advocacy

This course familiarizes students with advanced strategies and concepts related to mental health agency service delivery methods.

483-6 Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling

This course provides an understanding of the ACA ethical standards and their application to treatment as well as a review of ethical decision-making models and major ethical and legal issues in the practice of professional counseling.

484-6 Cultural Diversity in Counseling

This course is an introduction to the process of providing counseling from a multicultural perspective. The course provides an understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society.

485-6 Advanced Topics in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

This course is a review of all aspects of the roles of professional counselors including history, roles, organizational structures, counselor identity, licensure requirements, and current treatment topics.

486-6, 487-6, 488-6 Supervised Practicum in Counseling

This is the first fieldwork experience, in which students offer clinical mental health counseling services to clients in a Practicum setting. This Practicum is taken in conjunction with the Methods series, 480-6, 481-6, and 482-6.

489-6, 490-6, 491-6 Supervised Internship in Counseling

This is the advanced fieldwork experience, in which students engage in a comprehensive clinical training experience where they enact all aspects of the role of a clinical mental health counselor.

Development Courses

You will choose one of the following two development courses:

413-6 Human Growth & Development (Child & Adolescent Focus)

This course provides an understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all developmental levels in a multicultural context, as well as implications for assessment and preventive and/or supportive intervention strategies. The course has an additional specific focus on child and adolescent development.

414-6 Human Growth & Development (Adult Focus)

This course provides an understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all developmental levels in a multicultural context, as well as implications for assessment and preventive and/or supportive intervention strategies. The course has an additional specific focus on adult development.

Therapy Courses

You will choose one of the following two therapy courses:

417-6 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This course covers the application of the cognitive behavioral approach with a broad range of populations. An integrated approach is emphasized.

436-6 Child and Adolescent Counseling and Psychotherapy

This course offers an examination of central issues in child and adolescent counseling and psychotherapy, including psychoanalytic, play, cognitive-behavioral, and behavioral treatment approaches. Emphasis is placed on high-frequency problems for which children and adolescents enter therapy

Elective Courses

You will choose one of the following three electives:

453-6 Evaluation and Treatment of Trauma Disorders

This course is a review of the nature of posttraumatic conditions; the psychobiology underlying stress, trauma, and dissociation; and the treatment of posttraumatic conditions.

429-6 Sex Therapy

This course is a multidimensional, biophysical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual difficulty in individuals and couples. Sexual problems discussed include disorders of desire, aversion, arousal, orgasm, and pain.

455-6 Psychopharmacology

This course explores the role of psychopharmacological medication in mental health treatment. Students learn approved indications and contraindications of psychopharmacological medications for mental health and substance use conditions in adults and children, and practice how to consult with clients and medical professionals about medication-related issues.

Bridge Courses

You will take the following courses only if you enroll in the Bridge to Counseling Program.

477-6 Introduction to Clinical Practice

This course is designed exclusively for students entering the program with nontraditional backgrounds and making a career transition into the field of counseling. The primary objectives of the course are to help students acquire an orientation to the counseling profession, explore a range of basic issues relevant to the field, and learn about the role of a mental health counselor.

478-6 Introduction to Clinical Interviewing

This course enhances the development of clinical skills through understanding of both the pragmatics and the complexities of the clinical interviewing process and the treatment process as a whole.

479-6 Current Topics in Counseling

This course centers on a number of topics in contemporary counseling of relevance to the beginning practitioner. The objective is to introduce a range of selected clinical topics, issues, dilemmas, treatment orientations, and modalities that will be encountered as students move into their practice fieldwork experience.

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10 of the Best Online Therapy Platforms

Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling - Thomas University

The events that began in March of 2020 required everyone to stay at home as much as possible. One rare positive upshot among the many creative readjustments that this worldwide lifestyle shift entailed: An increase in teletherapy, meaning remote mental health counseling, as both new and established services rose to meet a rising need in treatment for depression and anxiety.

This pivot to virtual and online therapy is more than just a boon for those sticking close to home in a pandemic. For those who have mobility issues, live in locations with a limited pool of in-person providers, or simply never had the time to commute to appointments, professional help is finally just a video chat, text, or phone call away.

“As a psychologist, I’ve found online therapy to be surprisingly effective,” says Dr. Paula Durlofsky, who practices in Pennsylvania. Durlofsky notes that she tends to ask more questions in virtual sessions than she normally would, because, “for example, with online therapy I’m not able to determine if a patient is feeling particularly anxious by observing his or her body language in person.”

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Fortunately, multiple studies suggest that online therapy really is as useful as in-person visits when they’re conducted via video, though there’s less research-based evidence on text-only therapy. Several of the telehealth services below, such as Amwell, accept insurance; others don’t. Given that subscription-based teletherapy plans can be more affordable than some insurance copays (accent on “some”), they can be a budget-friendlier to find support when you need it, without leaving home

Here are 10 of the best online therapy platforms out there today, and a summary of each to help determine which is best for you.

Talkspace

Accepts insurance: Yes
Offers: 
Individual therapy, couples counseling, teen therapy, psychiatry as a separate service

Talkspace’s pricing begins at $65 a week for the lowest message-only package, if you pay monthly. Their three package tiers, Plus, Premium, and Ultimate, all offer unlimited 24/7 messaging via text, audio, and video, in case you need to vent at 3 a.m. (though the hours at which they’ll respond vary by therapist). Premium and Ultimate include live 30-minute video therapy sessions; for the Ultimate’s weekly video therapy session you’ll pay $99 per week. Online consultants are available via chat to help choose the best package for you.

Talkspace is partnered with some health plans, as well as with some companies’ employee assistance plans (EAP), so check their full list of partners before signup. After creating an account, you’ll fill out a short assessment form with info about yourself and what you’re looking for. Next, you’ll choose a licensed therapist from a pool of matches, and communicate with them through the site or app to message, schedule, and conduct video sessions.

BetterHelp

Accepts insurance: No
Offers: Individual therapy, couples counseling, teen therapy

BetterHelp bills itself as “the world’s largest e-counseling platform,” which means you’ll have access to a large pool of accredited mental health professionals with a minimum of three years’ experience. The subscription service ranges from $60-90 per week billed monthly per the site’s FAQ, “based on location, preferences, and therapist availability” (they’re a bit less transparent in their pricing structure than rival TalkSpace). Though Betterhelp doesn’t take insurance, you can apply for financial aid at signup. The service also offers ongoing promotions to get your first week free.This content is imported from {embed-name}.

Like Talkspace, all of BetterHelp’s packages offer unlimited messaging through the site or app. Unlike Talkspace, all of BetterHelp’s pricing plans include a weekly live video session. To sign up, complete an automated assessment, and they’ll match you with your best fit.


Calmerry

Accepts insurance: No
Offers: Individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapyADVERTISEMENT –

Launched in October 2020, Calmerry touts its individual therapy specializations, including LGBTQ-friendly therapy, grief counseling, and career counseling. You have the flexibility to pay either weekly or monthly; those tentatively interested can pay $59.95 a week for a “Therapy Journey Start” plan. $359.96 per month ($89.99 a week) gets you four 30-minute live video sessions, in addition to the unlimited messaging with a guaranteed daily response.

Calmerry’s intake form asks questions like “do you have worries about intimacy?” while inviting you to specify exactly what you’re looking for. Within a day or so, you’re emailed to let you know they’ve matched you with a therapist. You can also connect with a real-live human any time day or night if you’ve got a question related to the service, lending the platform a personal feel.


Sesh

Accepts insurance: No
Offers: Virtual therapist-led group support sessions

Sesh isn’t a teletherapy service—it’s a space for one-hour online support groups via video, facilitated by qualified therapists. Meeting virtually in numbers of two to fourteen people, there’s a widely inclusive range of support sessions on their calendar, from Dealing with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to groups specifically geared toward issues affecting LGBTQ communities and people of color. For those seeking a bit of community and solidarity, Sesh makes that possible no matter where you’re located.RELATED STORIES10 Great Mental Health PodcastsWhy Strangers Are Helping Seniors Get VaccinesThese Self-Care Tips Will Transform Your Life

You’ll get two weeks free once you sign up in the app, and then it’s $60 a month for unlimited sessions. While it’s not a substitute for one-on-one therapy, it is a less costly way to find support.

Amwell

Accepts insurance: Yes
Offers: Telemedicine, individual therapy, couples counseling, child therapy ages 10-17

Amwell is a great option for those with zero interest in text or audio messaging with a therapist. Additionally, the average video therapy visit is 45 minutes, which is longer than the 30 minutes that Talkspace and BetterHelp offer. And because they’re a general telemedicine platform, you can book virtual doctor visits through them, too.

It’s not subscription-based, so while out-of-pocket costs are heftier at $99 to $110 per video session, you may enjoy a much lower copay if your insurance is accepted. All of that said, know that their network of mental health professionals is much smaller than that of the bigger competitors (“over 350,” versus the thousands that Talkspace and BetterHelp promise).

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Online-Therapy.com

Accepts insurance: No
Offers: Individual therapy

Online-Therapy’s program is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a popular treatment approach for conditions such as anxiety and depression. They present their treatment approach as a “toolbox,” in which sessions are part of a larger plan that includes journaling, yoga videos, and homework that your therapist provides feedback on. As with most of the subscription platforms, you’re matched with a therapist after setting up your profile.ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOWhttps://05474a709f0b36fe72f4b64c506546d3.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlhttps://05474a709f0b36fe72f4b64c506546d3.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Subscription plans range from $39.95-$79.95 per week; the $59.95 weekly plan includes the full toolbox, weekday daily feedback from your therapist, and one 30-minute session a week via video, voice, or text chat. The first month is discounted at 20 percent.

7 Cups

Accepts insurance: No
Offers: Individual therapy, online chat communities

7 Cups is one of the most affordable options for virtual mental health help. At $150 a month, they’ll match you with a licensed therapist for chat-only exchanges, which they’ll reply to once or twice a day, Monday through Friday. You can send unlimited messages on your end.

For less urgent support, the chat function is completely free and available 24/7. While the volunteers you’ll chat with aren’t therapists, they are trained to listen effectively, and they’re ready with a compassionate ear.

Pride Counseling

Accepts insurance: No
Offers: Individual therapy

There are any number of reasons to seek an LGBTQ-friendly therapist; it can be a personal comfort preference, and not every professional is necessarily trained to handle gender and sexual-orientation-related issues adeptly. Enter Pride Counseling, who’ll match you to a therapist with an area of focus appropriate to the objectives you specified during signup.

Subscriptions range from $60 to $90 a week, billed every four weeks. Each subscription package includes either text chat, phone, or live video sessions, or a mix of all three, all conducted through the platform.

ReGain

Accepts insurance: No
Offers: Couples therapy

ReGain is a subscription-based platform dedicated to couples’ therapy. They match you with a licensed mental health professional based on the answers you provide at signup. A couple shares the account subscription, which costs between $60 to $90 a week billed every four weeks, and communicate with their counselor within the platform.

Each half of the couple can message the therapist separately, or schedule a separate live session (if the therapist you’re working with offers it). But know that there’s no three-way video session capability, so the couple must be in the same location for a couples’ video session.

Cerebral

Accepts insurance: Yes
Offers: Medication management, therapy

Cerebral isn’t the only service that offers both therapy and medication management for anxiety, depression, and insomnia; TalkSpace has a separate, pay-per-session service, and Amwell offers a non-subscription-based way to get prescriptions. Still, Cerebral offers a seamless experience for those seeking medication management, therapy, or a combination of both.

Choose from three plans that range from $85 to $325 a month, with medication billed separately: Medication and Care Counseling, Medication and Therapy, or Therapy only. That means the Medication and Therapy package will run you about $82 a week, but the good news is that bumps way down to $29 before medication cost and copays.

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