L.MHC 612 - Professional Orientation & Identity

Credits: 3

This course that provides an understanding of all aspects of professional functioning, including history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing. Studies in this area include, but are not limited to, the following:

History of the helping professions, including significant factors and events;
Professional roles and functions, including similarities with and differences from other types of professionals;
Professional organizations (primarily ACA, its divisions, and its branches), including membership benefits, activities, services to members, and current emphases;
Ethical standards of the ACA and their evolution, legal issues, and applications to various professional activities (e. g. , appraisal and group work);
Professional preparation standards and their evolution and current applications; and
Professional credentialing, including certification, licensure, and accreditation practices and standards, and the effects of public policy on these issues.
Professional credentialing, including certification, licensure, and accreditation practices and standards, and the effects of public policy on these issues;
The role and process of the professional mental health counselor advocating on behalf of the profession;
Advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients; and
Ethical standards of ACA and related entities, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.

Prerequisite: None
Co-requisite: None