UT Tyler Psychology and Counseling

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is intended to prepare students to counsel persons experiencing psychological disturbance due to developmental, educational, career, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, cultural, relational or environmental issues. Students develop competencies in diagnosis and assessment, evidence-based counseling/psychotherapy techniques, group processes, human development, addiction and career counseling. Students who complete their degrees and meet state certification or licensing requirements may be employed in a variety of mental health settings.

All Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will complete a specified program that provides foundational knowledge and skills to be an effective mental health counselor. Students may take classes in Family and Couples counseling if they plan to work with these clients.

UT Tyler's CMHC program is a CACREP accredited program designed to prepare graduates to become Licensed Professional Counselors with the appropriate post-graduation experiences. The CMHC degree program requires 60 credit hours of graduate course work.

Testimonials

CACREP-Accredited Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

CMHC Program Mission:

The mission of the CACREP-Accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at the University of Texas at Tyler (UTT) is to prepare ethical and competent professional counselors. The CMHC program places a strong emphasis on preparing future counselors to work with a diverse range of client populations. Faculty members collectively aim to provide a rigorous learning environment and supportive atmosphere encouraging personal and professional development to a diverse student body. Throughout their time in the CMHC program, students are supported in developing a deep sense of self-awareness and a strong professional counselor identity integrating mental health, research, service, and advocacy. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for counselor licensure in Texas and are able pursue impactful mental health careers within the community.  

CMHC Student Learning Objectives

CMHC student learning objectives reflect current professional counseling knowledge and projected needs concerning counseling in a multicultural and pluralistic society. They cover the eight CACREP common core curricula areas and the entry-level specialty area of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. 

1.0 Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional counselor identity and utilize counselor ethical codes and ethical decision making skills to practice in an ethical manner.

2.0  Social & Cultural Diversity

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to work with and advocate for different client populations including clients from diverse racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

3.0  Human Growth & Development

• Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to conceptualize and counsel clients from a developmental perspective.  

4.0  Career Development

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of career counseling theories and skills/strategies for implementing career counseling with diverse populations

5.0  Counseling & Helping Relationships

• Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of evidence-based counseling skills and the ability to apply these skills prevent and treat clients with mental health diagnoses in an ethical manner. 

6.0  Group Counseling & Group Work

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of culturally and ethically relevant approaches to group counseling and the ability to apply group counseling skills in different settings

7.0  Assessment and Testing

• Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills to competently apply the use of assessment in counseling including the diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders

8.0  Research & Program Evaluation

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of research methods and apply these research skills to critically appraise mental health research, and assess client care.

9.0  Clinical Mental Health Counseling

• Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to address wellness and mental health in a variety of clinical mental health counseling settings