A college essay on mental health is a type of writing that requires your preparation. For this purpose, you can check out some examples. Below, we’ve prepared “Why I Want to Be a Mental Health Counselor Essay,” which will help you get inspired and write a successful application to your preferred educational institution.
Mental health counseling is a diverse profession with national standards for education, preparation, and clinical practice. The profession offers help to the ever-increasing number of Americans requiring mental therapy.
Clinical mental health practitioners are highly skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. Mental health counselors offer a variety of services, such as evaluation and diagnosis, psychotherapy, solution-focused therapy, crisis management, substance abuse treatment, and prevention programs.
After carefully researching and critically evaluating my career options, I have decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling focusing on mental health counseling. This path will propel me toward becoming a mental health counselor. Not only am I an excellent listener with a desire to help the marginalized, but it is also evident that there is a growing need for clinical counselors in the country to safeguard against unemployment.
Furthermore, recent surveys indicate that clinical counselors receive competitive salary packages. Beyond the financial aspect, the mental health field is diverse and rapidly evolving. Much remains to be explored regarding brain function, and consequently, therapeutic methods in this field are not as advanced as in other medical fields. I plan to delve into this study area and uncover as much knowledge and information as possible throughout my career.
The decision to apply for the clinical counseling program in mental health was significantly influenced by an internship I completed at the Carter Center for Mental Health. Founded by Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the center aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental disorders in society. Despite increasing media coverage and information dissemination about mental health, myths and misconceptions still prevail in society.
At the Carter Center, I undertook a three-month volunteer internship to gain insight into working as a psychologist. However, after visiting numerous hospitals, outpatient mental health facilities, and hospices, I realized that my true calling might be in mental health counseling.
The internship was an eye-opening experience regarding the challenges faced by mental health patients, including those with depression, substance abuse issues, schizophrenia, eating disorders, personality disorders, and anxiety disorders. Witnessing the struggles of thousands of Americans with mental health disorders, I instinctively knew I had to contribute to the social welfare of this great country.
Cultural diversity and cultural prejudice are prevalent in our lives, and we must acknowledge and responsibly embrace them. Professionals have recently recognized the importance of addressing the challenges in serving culturally diverse populations. Cultural values, beliefs, and assumptions significantly influence mental health workers and other professionals’ service delivery.
These cultural experiences, traditions, beliefs, and assumptions shape our worldview. Thus, professionals should be conscious of their thoughts and strive to separate them from their work. Counselors and clients bring a range of values, attitudes, culturally influenced behaviors, biases, ideas, and assumptions to the therapeutic process. Some mental health professionals and counselors underestimate the significance of these factors in treatment.
I consider myself culturally enlightened, having grown up in a culturally diverse community in New York. This environment has taught me to embrace and appreciate cultural pluralism and diversity. Cultural diversity is an integral element that enriches society.
I have interacted with people from various cultures in school, stores, and my neighborhood, learning that humans are not as different as we sometimes think. We need to treat each other with respect and embrace each other’s beliefs, traditions, and cultural customs.
In addition to the internship, my drive for mental health counseling was subconsciously motivated by a teenage experience. Following the tragic death of my younger sister in a surfing accident, my mother fell into a state of depression. She frequently spoke of seeing my sister in her dreams. This placed a significant burden on my father to maintain family stability. Our relief came after my mother sought help from a post-trauma counselor.
She attended sessions with the counselor and, to our relief and joy, recovered within six months. She coped better with the loss of her daughter and realized that nothing could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
Reflecting on the counselor’s impact on my family, I appreciate this noble profession. I aspire to bring joy to families and individuals by helping them understand and cope with their mental health challenges.
Upon completing my Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling, I plan to practice for five to eight years in outpatient mental health facilities and other relevant settings to gain extensive experience in mental health counseling.
Additionally, I aim to join professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the American Mental Health Counselors Association, which require a Master’s degree in a related field and adherence to a strict code of ethics. Eventually, I plan to establish a private practice in New York, New Jersey, or California.