Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The USD Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization (CMHC) is a 60 semester-unit graduate program which provides graduates with a comprehensive training experience at the master's level that prepares them for independent clinical counseling practice in a variety of settings. Students learn individual and group counseling techniques, as well as clinical consultation skills found to be effective with a variety of mental health issues ranging from life adjustment problems to serious mental illnesses. Students are trained to be culturally responsive. The CMHC program uses a research-based clinical practice approach in coursework and internship and students develop competencies and professional identity as clinical mental health counselors. This CHMC specialization is being designed using the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards for training in this specialization. This specialization offers broad training and leads to eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in most states.
The National Standards for the Clinical Practice of Mental Health Counseling (1999) were developed by the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA) which is a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Visit http://www.amhca.org for more information about mental health counseling.
For further questions about this proposed specialization contact:
Clinical Mental Health Specialization Coordinator and
Program Co-Director, Ronn Johnson, ronnjohn@sandiego.edu
Program Requirements:
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Course Number |
Counseling Core: 24 units |
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Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling (3) |
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Lifespan Development (3) |
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Research Methods in Counseling (3) |
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Career Development Across Lifespan (3) |
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Multicultural Counseling (3) |
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Counseling Psychology: Theory and Practice (3) |
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Group Dynamics (3) |
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Assessment Techniques In Counseling (3) |
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Mental Health Core: 18 Units |
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Advanced Counseling: Diagnosis & Treatment Plan (3) |
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Foundations of Mental Health Counseling (3) |
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Introduction to Family Counseling (3) |
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Substance Abuse Counseling (3) |
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Human Sexuality (3) |
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Crisis Intervention Counseling (3) |
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Clinical Instruction in Counseling and Mental Health Practice: 12 Units |
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Prepracticum in Counseling Techniques (3) |
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Practicum - Adult (3) |
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Internship- Adult (1-3) - Students complete a total of 6 or more units until they complete 800 hours of supervised experience. |
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Electives: 6 Units |
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Sample elective courses include: Spiritual Issues in Multicultural Counseling, Gerontological Counseling, Counseling LGBT Clients, Brief Therapy, Advanced Assessment Techniques. |
