Title: (Optional) Identify knowledge, skills, abilities, and characteristics of workers within the Counseling and Mental Health Services career pathway.
Course: Introduction to Family and Human Services (19001-18) > Section: Exploring the Human Services Career Pathways

Identification should include

- behaviors and characteristics highly valued within the Counseling and Mental Health Services career pathway (e.g., ability to handle ethical dilemmas that arise in the pathway, knowledge of confidentiality issues and the individual’s right to privacy, understanding of the importance of self-determination and empowerment, cultural competence, awareness of human behavior and individual differences)
- a determination of potential personality compatibility with jobs in the Counseling and Mental Health Services career pathway.

Please go to the Virginia Career Clusters website for additional information.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What characteristics and skills help a counseling and mental health services professional obtain, maintain, and advance in a career?
- How can counseling and mental health services improve the quality of life for recipients of those services and their families?

Communication

- What are the benefits and drawbacks of being employed in the Counseling and Mental Health Services career pathway?
- What characteristics and skills help counseling and mental health services professionals relate to diverse populations?
- How is the mental health of a client assessed?

Leadership

- What leadership skills are needed for counseling and mental health services employees to receive promotions?
- Why must counseling and mental health services professionals always advocate for their clients?
- What can counseling and mental health services employers offer to increase the number of workers in the field?

Management

- What types of professional credentials and organizations are available to those seeking employment in the Counseling and Mental Health Services career pathway?
- What makes counseling and mental health services a challenging career pathway?
- What safety issues should counseling and mental health services employees consider?