Essential Terminology for Mental Health Counselors
- Patient-Oriented Care
- Comorbidity
- Defense Mechanism
- Cognitive Therapy
- Crisis Management
Mental health counselors can encounter dozens of different mental, emotional and behavioral disorders during their daily work, so they must have a broad understanding of the key terminology of their field. While counselors face hundreds of different acronyms, words and concepts that are critical to their occupation, there are a few that stand out above the rest. Knowing the terms is just the beginning though, especially as new evidence and competing perspectives constantly shed new light on various aspects of the profession.
Patient-Oriented Care
While this term is relatively straightforward, it is still one of the most important phrases in a counselor’s vocabulary. At its core, mental health counseling revolves entirely around the needs, input and feedback of patients. Since patients typically participate voluntarily and help therapists identify priority issues, this kind of counseling usually falls under the umbrella of patient-oriented care. The term also implies some level of customization where specific therapy and treatment measures are designed with the individual’s specific traits or challenges in mind.
Comorbidity
Since mental health counselors are often a patient’s first contact in a clinical or medical setting, they need to know how to identify and separate various health conditions. Comorbidity, or the occurrence of mutually-reinforcing negative health conditions, is common in the field of mental and behavioral health. Many people with untreated or misdiagnosed conditions, like severe depression or bipolar disorders, may attempt to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. This can lead to comorbidity of the original condition on top of substance abuse, which complicates diagnosis and recovery.
Defense Mechanism
In the field of psychology, a defense mechanism can be either a conscious or unconscious internal mental process that provides relief from stress-inducing circumstances. There are many categories of known defense mechanisms, including denial, displacement, rationalization and projection. Many mental health disorders, like schizophrenia, are characterized by the prevalence of certain defense mechanisms throughout the patient’s daily life. These mechanisms can also be a problem on their own if they prevent or discourage the patient from seeking diagnosis and treatment.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of temporary, targeted treatment designed for people suffering from acute mental health concerns. This kind of psychotherapy has proven effective when dealing with various issues, including depression, anger control, marital trouble and substance abuse, according to the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy. CBT incorporates both patient-oriented and therapist-directed treatment protocols to establish a structured environment that encourages engagement. Treatment usually begins with a detailed assessment and consultation followed by directed therapy sessions with followup evaluations.
Crisis Management
In the context of mental health, a crisis is a situation that could threaten the life or health of the patient. Mental health counselors may face these circumstances during their work, so they need to know how to de-escalate crisis situations. The first step usually prioritizes removal of stimuli that provoke the negative reaction as well as removal of potentially dangerous elements from the environment. For example, a person struggling with suicidal impulses should not be left alone in situations where they could fulfill the urge to harm themselves. Counselors can also help manage a mental health crises through skillful use of established therapy techniques.
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Counselors serve a rather broad client base compared to other types of practicing psychologists, but their work is still essential to patient service. They often act as the first point of contact and first line of defense for those seeking help with mental health concerns. There are hundreds of essential terms that mental health counselors need to know, including some that guide their professional activities on a daily basis.