Counseling Skills in Mental Health

Counseling skills in mental health require an understanding of a variety of mental health strategies for assessing and interacting with patients. Mental health practitioners must be skilled communicators, listeners, interviewers, evaluators and healers in order to be effective in diagnosing and treating patients.

• Counseling skills in mental health involve a combination of abilities learned through a comprehensive counseling program. The ability to put patients at ease and interview them in a way that draws out important information is an important skill for counselors. The interpersonal aspect of the counseling field requires a therapist who is comfortable with people and finds the process of helping others rewarding.


• Another important skill in counseling is observation. A counselor can gain important information about a client by watching for nonverbal cues and through observing the subjects and emotions that a client emphasizes. This is especially important in crisis intervention and cases of trauma wherein a client may not be able to accurately articulate thoughts and feelings due to shock or numbness.


• Other important counseling skills require knowledge of the social and family systems of individuals and societies. Counselors must utilize sensitivity when interacting with clients and respect the cultural influences and belief systems of clients. By creating an atmosphere of mutual respect, a counselor can help clients to meet their therapy goals. 


• Counselors must also be skilled in issuing a diagnosis and treatment plan for patients. This requires knowledge of the appropriate assessments to implement in each situation. Additionally, a mental health counselor must develop a treatment plan agreeable to the client and assist in mental health recovery.