Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.)

Faculty

Dr. LaNail Plummer, Assistant Professor and Program Director for Counseling
Dr. Deneen Robin, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Director of Clinical Training
Dr. Lenese Barnes, Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Brigid Noonan, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Rosanna Sanchez-John, Assistant Professor of Counseling

Description

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program requires a minimum of 60 credits and prepares students to take the examination that will allow them to become Licensed Professional Counselors (L.P.C.s). An L.P.C. is authorized to do work in schools, communities and private practices. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and meets state certification requirements of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Students seeking clinical mental health counselor certification in other states should consult the appropriate certification offices in those jurisdictions.

Learning experiences emphasize the integration of theoretical knowledge with professional practice in a supervised setting. Graduates from Trinity’s counseling degree programs are qualified to provide individual and group counseling; implement assessment and consultation services; and develop, direct, and evaluate comprehensive counseling services. The student’s program is planned in consultation with a faculty advisor; prior experiences and professional goals are considered.

Mission of the Counseling Program

The Trinity Washington University Clinical Mental Health and School Counselor Programs’ mission is to prepare candidates to become Licensed Professional Counselors and Certified or Licensed School Counselors, who work in a myriad of settings including medical, community, educational, and private practice. Trinity’s program prepares candidates to engage in social justice policy, advocacy, and research as it affects and reflects the profession of Counseling and the well-being of the diverse clients, students, communities, families, and institutions that graduates serve.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES OF THE COUNSELING PROGRAM:

The counselor education program prepares all graduates to:

  1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for effective counseling practice across diverse settings.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with diverse populations, respecting individual differences in culture, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in conceptualizing, diagnosing and implementing evidence-based treatment plans across diverse populations.
  4. Develop ability to critically evaluate and apply research findings to improve counseling practice.
  5. Ensure students meet academic and practical training requirements for state licensure and/or national certification as professional counselors.
  6. Encourage ongoing self-reflection and personal growth to promote the student’s development and its’ importance as a professional counselor.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM:

To prepare clinical mental health graduates to:

  1. Demonstrate a general knowledge of and experience with treatment modalities appropriate for a broad range of mental health service recipients and mental health service settings.
  2. Establish a professional identity as Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
  3. Interact effectively with the full spectrum of mental health professionals.
  4. Provide competent professional service and leadership within the mental health field.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge and skill as socially-just, reflective-practitioners.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge and competency in culturally appropriate, community-focused mental health interventions and service delivery.
  7. Be ethically and legally informed practitioners.
[catalog-courses]

Degree Requirements (60 credits)

Required Orientation
COUN 607 Orientation: Tools for Graduate School

Required Courses (45 credits)

COUN 510 Human Grwth & Dev Across Life
COUN 535 Introduction to Counseling
COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development
COUN 540 Principles and Theories of Counseling
COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment
COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process
COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling
COUN 553 Alcohol and Substance Abuse
COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents
COUN 560 Techniques of Counseling
COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling
COUN 604 Expressive Arts in Counseling
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
COUN 606 Trauma & Crisis Intervention in Counseling
COUN 608 Research in Counseling

Clinical Mental Health Concentration Courses (6 credits)
COUN 557 Introduction to Family Therapy
COUN 564 Principles & Practices of Clinical Mental Health

Field Experience (9 credits, 700 hours total)
COUN 631 Practicum in Counseling
COUN 640 Internship in Counseling I
COUN 642 Internship in Counseling II

Course Descriptions

COUN 607 Orientation: Tools for Graduate School
COUN 510 Human Grwth & Dev Across Life
COUN 535 Introduction to Counseling
COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development
COUN 540 Principles and Theories of Counseling
COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment
COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process
COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling
COUN 553 Alcohol and Substance Abuse
COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents
COUN 557 Introduction to Family Therapy 
COUN 560 Techniques of Counseling
COUN 510 Human Grwth & Dev Across Life
COUN 535 Introduction to Counseling
COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development
COUN 561 Principles and Practices of School Counseling
COUN 562 Special Education in School Counseling
COUN 564 Principles & Practices of Clinical Mental Health
COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling
COUN 604 Expressive Arts in Counseling
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
COUN 606 Trauma & Crisis Intervention in Counseling
COUN 608 Research in Counseling
COUN 612 Conflict Management and Resolution
COUN 631 Practicum in Counseling
COUN 633 Practicum in School Counseling
COUN 640 Internship in Counseling I
COUN 642 Internship in Counseling II
COUN 646 Internship in School Counseling I
COUN 648 Internship in School Counseling II