Counselor

Summary

Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem, grief and aging.

Examples of Work

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description. These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed.

• Maintains confidentiality of records relating to client’s
• Fills out and maintains client-related paperwork, including federal and state mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress reports.
• Provides assistance to clients to help them resolve a variety of problems.
• Develops comprehensive assessments of client’s problems that need to be addressed and identifies courses of action.
• Provides psychosocial counseling to address problems that threaten the health, safety, development, emotional well-being and or interpersonal relationships of the client.
• Develops and maintains relationships with staff and other agencies to provide care coordination with needed services and support through advocacy, referral and follow up.

Education and Experience

Professionals with one of the following credentials are qualified to provide psychosocial counseling:

• Social worker with a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in social work from a Certified Social Work Education-accredited school of social work.
• Registered nurse with advanced specialized counseling education and training as a clinical nurse specialist or certified psychiatric nurse.
• Professional licensed to provide clinical, counseling, and psychotherapy services by the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance.
• Counselor with a master’s degree in counseling.
• Psychologist with a master’s or Ph.D. in psychology.
• Master’s or doctoral level graduate student intern from an accredited school of social work or a psychology or counseling program, under the supervision of a licensed practitioner qualified to supervise such interns.
• Psychosocial counseling professionals working with the Healthy Start population should have counseling education, training, and experience in women’s issues, maternal and child health issues, and grief and loss issues. This includes experience in child development, family dynamics, family violence and substance abuse intervention, medical or health promotion orientation, mental health, and a prevention theory approach to intervention. Services can be provided by a designated clinic employee, a contracted counseling provider, or referral to a professional counseling agency/individual in the community.

Licensure and Certification

Some positions may require a license.

Supervision

This position may supervise others.

To see common career pathways for each position at the University of Florida please visit the Career Paths section of the UFHR website.