Mental Health Counselor Resume Examples and Templates

What do Hiring Managers look for in a Mental Health Counselor Resume?

While scanning a Mental Health Counselor resume, hiring managers expect to see the following from a good candidate:

• A master's degree in counseling or a related field, as well as any relevant state licensure or certification, such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Experience providing counseling and therapy services to clients in a variety of settings, such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, or private practices.
• Proficiency in specific counseling approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or mindfulness-based therapies.
• Experience conducting assessments and screenings to evaluate clients' mental health and develop treatment plans.

How to Write a Mental Health Counselor Resume?

To write a professional Mental Health Counselor resume, follow these steps:

• Select the right Mental Health Counselor resume template.
• Write a professional summary at the top explaining your Mental Health Counselor’s experience and achievements.
• Follow the STAR method while writing your Mental Health Counselor resume’s work experience. Show what you were responsible for and what you achieved as a Mental Health Counselor.
• List your top Mental Health Counselor skills in a separate skills section.

How to Write Your Mental Health Counselor Resume Header?

Write the perfect Mental Health Counselor resume header by:

• Adding your full name at the top of the header.
• Add a photo to your resume if you are applying for jobs outside of the US. For applying to jobs within the US, avoid adding photo to your resume header.
• Add your current Mental Health Counselor to the header to show relevance.
• Add your current city, your phone number and a professional email address.
• Finally, add a link to your portfolio to the Mental Health Counselor resume header. If there’s no portfolio link to add, consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile instead.

Bad Mental Health Counselor Resume Example - Header Section

Cason 35 Marshall Drive Chardon, OH 44024 Marital Status: Married, email: cooldude2022@gmail.com

Good Mental Health Counselor Resume Example - Header Section

Cason Reilly, Chardon, OH, Phone number: +1-555-555-5555, Link: linkedin/in/johndoe

Make sure to add a professional looking email address while writing your resume header. Let’s assume your name is John Doe - here is a formula you can use to create email addresses:

• firstnamelastname@email.com - johndoe@email.com
• firstname.lastname@email.com - john.doe@email.com
• lastname.firstname@email.com - doe.john@email.com
• f.lastname@email.com - j.doe@email.com
• l.firstname@email.com - d.john@email.com
• firstnamelastname12@email.com - johndoe12@email.com

For a Mental Health Counselor email, we recommend you either go with a custom domain name (john@johndoe.com) or select a very reputed email provider (Gmail or Outlook).

How to Write a Professional Mental Health Counselor Resume Summary?

Use this template to write the best Mental Health Counselor resume summary: Mental Health Counselor with [number of years] experience of [top 2-3 skills]. Achieved [top achievement]. Expert at [X], [Y] and [Z].

Example Summary for a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Resume

Licensed Mental Health Counselor with extensive experience in conducting initial screenings of victims for high-risk psychosocial criteria, suicidal/homicidal ideation, and emotional distress symptoms requiring immediate intervention. Skilled in providing brief strategic and crisis counseling to victims and families in collaboration with other medical and behavioral health teams. Proficient in developing and implementing customized treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each client. Strong advocate for clients and their families, with expertise in psychoeducation and referral services.

Mental Health Counselor Resume Summary Example

Experienced Mental Health Counselor with expertise in individual and group counseling for adolescents and adults. Specializes in intensive outpatient and outpatient programs for eating disorders and substance abuse treatment. Skilled in facilitating DBT, Art Therapy, and Interpersonal Communication groups to promote emotional regulation and healthy communication. Committed to providing compassionate and effective counseling to help clients achieve their goals and improve their mental health.Experienced in using tools such as Excel and Python to manipulate and clean data for accurate analysis.

How to Write a Mental Health Counselor Resume Experience Section?

Here’s how you can write a job winning Mental Health Counselor resume experience section:

• Write your Mental Health Counselor work experience in a reverse chronological order.
• Use bullets instead of paragraphs to explain your Mental Health Counselor work experience.
• While describing your work experience focus on highlighting what you did and the impact you made (you can use numbers to describe your success as a Mental Health Counselor).
• Use action verbs in your bullet points.

Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern Resume Example

Forensic Mental Health Counselor Resume Example

Mental Health Counselor Intern Resume Example

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Resume Example

Top Mental Health Counselor Resume Certifications

1. National Certified Counselor (NCC)
2. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
3. Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
4. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
5. Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
6. Certified Grief Counselor (CGC)
7. Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP)
8. Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS)
9. Certified Trauma Support Specialist (CTSS)
10. Certified Child and Adolescent Mental Health Professional (CCMH)

Top Mental Health Counselor Resume Skills for 2023

1. Counseling
2. Psychotherapy
3. Diagnosis
4. Assessment
5. Treatment planning
6. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
7. Solution-focused therapy
8. Mindfulness-based therapy
9. Dialectical behavior therapy
10. Family therapy
11. Group therapy
12. Crisis intervention
13. Substance abuse counseling
14. Trauma-focused therapy
15. Motivational interviewing
16. Anger management
17. Grief counseling
18. Art therapy
19. Play therapy
20. Relaxation techniques
21. Meditation
22. Conflict resolution
23. Communication skills
24. Documentation
25. Cultural competence
26. Ethics and boundaries
27. Case management
28. Referral management
29. Risk assessment
30. Self-care

How Long Should my Mental Health Counselor Resume be?

Your Mental Health Counselor resume length should be less than one or two pages maximum. Unless you have more than 25 years of experience, any resume that’s more than two pages would appear to be too long and risk getting rejected.

On an average, for Mental Health Counselor, we see most resumes have a length of 2. And, that’s why we advise you to keep the resume length appropriate to not get rejected.

How can I highlight my experience as a Mental Health Counselor on my resume?

To effectively highlight your experience as a Mental Health Counselor, focus on your expertise in therapeutic techniques, client assessment, and treatment planning. Detail your role in providing counseling to individuals, groups, and families, and discuss your approach to addressing a range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and stress management. Mention specific therapeutic modalities you are skilled in, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or mindfulness practices. Include measurable impacts of your work, such as client progress reports, success rates in client outcomes, or any recognitions you've received for your counseling services.

What are the key skills to feature on a Mental Health Counselor's resume?

Key skills to feature on a Mental Health Counselor’s resume include empathetic communication, psychological assessment, crisis intervention, and case management. Highlight your ability to develop trusting relationships with clients, your expertise in diagnosing mental health conditions, and your proficiency in implementing effective treatment plans. Also, emphasize your skills in maintaining detailed records, adhering to ethical standards, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.

How do I demonstrate my ability to manage diverse client cases on my resume?

Demonstrate your ability to manage diverse client cases by detailing the range of mental health issues you have addressed and the variety of clients you have supported, including different age groups, cultural backgrounds, and specific needs. Provide examples of complex cases you have handled and the specialized strategies you employed to assist those clients. Mention any continuing education courses or certifications that have enhanced your ability to serve a diverse clientele effectively.

Should I include metrics on my Mental Health Counselor resume? If so, what kind?

Yes, including metrics on your Mental Health Counselor resume can significantly enhance its impact. For example, you could mention statistics related to client retention rates, improvement percentages based on standardized assessment tools, or client satisfaction scores. Metrics that demonstrate your effectiveness in improving clients' mental health and overall well-being are particularly valuable.

How can I showcase my experience with specific therapeutic techniques on my resume?

Showcase your experience with specific therapeutic techniques by discussing the modalities in which you are trained and the outcomes you have achieved using these methods. Highlight any specialized training you have received, such as in CBT or trauma-focused therapy, and discuss how these approaches have benefited your clients. Provide case examples, if possible, that show your competence in applying these techniques to help clients achieve their therapy goals.

What kind of achievements should I highlight as a Mental Health Counselor?

Highlight achievements such as developing a successful group therapy program that has been recognized for its efficacy, significantly improving the mental health status of a community or demographic group, or receiving awards or recognition for your dedication and clinical excellence. You could also mention any roles you've taken in professional organizations, contributions to research in the field of mental health, or workshops you've conducted on mental health awareness.

How do I address a lack of experience in a specific area of mental health counseling on my resume?

If you lack experience in a specific area of mental health counseling, focus on your foundational counseling skills and any related experience that demonstrates your capability to learn and adapt quickly. Highlight your willingness to undergo further training, your adaptability to new challenges, and any relevant courses or certifications that have prepared you to manage various aspects of mental health effectively.

How important is collaboration with other healthcare providers for a Mental Health Counselor role?

Collaboration with other healthcare providers is crucial for a Mental Health Counselor role, as it ensures holistic care for clients. Emphasize your experience working in multidisciplinary teams, how you've coordinated care with other professionals such as psychiatrists, social workers, and primary care physicians, and the positive outcomes of these collaborations for client health and recovery.

How do I demonstrate my ability to adhere to ethical standards in counseling on my resume?

Demonstrate your ability to adhere to ethical standards in counseling by mentioning your commitment to ongoing professional development, your understanding of confidentiality issues, and your compliance with the ethical codes of your professional organizations. Discuss any specific training or certifications in ethical counseling practices you have completed.

Should I include certifications on my Mental Health Counselor resume?

Including relevant certifications can enhance your Mental Health Counselor resume by demonstrating your commitment to professional development and expertise in your field. Certifications such as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), or others relevant to special therapies like EMDR can be particularly beneficial, showcasing your qualifications and specialized skills to potential employers.