Mental Health Counselor Sample Resume

Brianna Smith
1234 Timberland Drive
Rockford, IL 64000
Home: 404-555-5555
Cell: 404-555-5556
Email: Brianna Smith@frontfocus.com

Objective
To obtain a position as Mental Health Counselor in a challenging and professional medical environment.

Qualifications Summary

• Certified knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Excellent knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
• Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, and ask questions as appropriate.
• Patient, detail-oriented and very easy to communicate with.

Education
Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL

• Master of Science in Applied Family and Child Studies (Aug. 2003)
• Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy

University of Montana, Missoula, MT

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (May 1999)

Work Experience
Mental Health Counselor: July 2001 - Present, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, General Counseling Program, Dixon, IL
Responsibilities include:

• Counseling with emphasis on prevention, working with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental health.
• Helping individuals deal with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; suicide; stress management; problems with self-esteem; and issues associated with aging and mental and emotional health.
• Maintaining confidentiality of records relating to client treatment.
• Encouraging clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, and help them develop insight into themselves and their relationships.
• Guiding clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems.
• Preparing and maintaining all required treatment records and reports.
• Counseling clients and patients, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes.
• Collecting information about clients through interviews, observation, and tests.
• Acting as client advocate in order to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.  

Mental Health Therapist: June 1999 - May 2001, Family Center of Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Responsibilities included:

• Developing and implementing treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
• Collaborating with other staff members to perform clinical assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Evaluating clients' physical or mental condition based on review of client information.
• Meeting with families, probation officers, police, and other interested parties in order to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
• Referring patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
• Counseling family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of counseling programs and clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving toward defined objectives.
• Planning, organizing and leading structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation and social activities for clients.
• Modifying treatment activities and approaches as needed in order to comply with changes in clients' status.  

*References available upon request.