Foundations for Mental Health and Community Counseling: An Introduction to the Profession

Foundations for Community and Mental Health Counseling: An Introduction to the Profession introduces readers to the exciting profession of mental health counseling.  Learn from the author’s vast experiences in behavioral health, professional associations, and counselor education. Examine the historical and theoretical foundations of mental health and community counseling. Learn about the education, licensure, and certification process of mental health and professional counselors and their work settings and professional practice. Consider contemporary trends in the profession, such as managed care and community mental health. Referenced throughout the book is the recently issued 2005 ACA Code of Ethics.

Drawing on his experience in behavioral health, professional associations, and counselor education, Mark Gerig provides an inside view of the mental health and community counseling professions. Built around CACREP standards for mental health and community counseling, the text includes a detailed discussion of theoretical foundations, realistic information or credentialing and professional practice, and contemporary issues and trends affecting the profession. The ACA 2005 Code of Ethics is referenced throughout the book.

Organized in a clear, three-part format:

• PART 1: Examines the historical and theoretical foundations of mental health and community counseling, outlining the history of mental health treatment and the development of various mental health professions.
• PART 2: Details the professional identity and credentialing of mental health counselors and discusses their work settings and professional practice.
• PART 3: Considers contemporary trends in the profession such as managed care and community mental health.