Licensed professional counselors provide mental health care to those who need it. Counselors are qualified to provide services in a variety of nonprofit and government organizations. In most states throughout the United States, licensed professional counselor (LPC) certification is given the privilege to work in private practice. Only a few states have a two-tier program where only counselors on the top tier can practice privately.
The need for counseling services is significant because millions of people are affected by substance abuse issues or mental health every year. An estimate shows that less than half the population receives the care they need. Licensed professional counselors often choose a specialty based on experience and training, based on a specific aspect of the field, such as suicide prevention or substance abuse.
Licensed professional counselors serve a tremendous amount of people. According to an estimate of how many people need mental health care at some point, about a quarter of the population. Professional counselors can work in any nonprofit or government organization authorized to provide mental health care. The settings for services include:
Licensed professional counselors work with those who require therapeutic assistance to move on in their lives because they have become impossible or difficult to keep up with and manage effectively. The difficulties counselors help with include:
When treating clients for any of these difficulties, they will provide services that most likely involve:
How Do Counselors Diagnose and Treat Patients?
Counselors go through training to diagnose and treat various psychiatric, addictive, and psychological disorders. They analyze and treat disorders that commonly result in elder abuse, child abuse, eating disorders, domestic issues, or substance abuse. The treatment options counselors often use are:
In case of a medical or mental health emergancy, call 911 or go to your local ER.
The following resources provide free and confidential 24/7 support
Cuicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741
Trevor Lifeline Call 1-866-488-7386