Descriptions of Mental Health Jobs

Mental health deals with a great number of debilitating conditions that affect the mind. People who suffer with psychosis, depression and many other problems may seek the help of trained healthcare professionals. These professionals hold different mental health jobs and perform numerous duties.

Mental Health Counselors

Mental health counselors generally work with all kinds of patients. Counselors do not provide medications or physical treatments to their patients. They do, however, talk with patients and their families about their feelings, conditions and problems. Some counselors work with groups in controlled areas where multiple patients come together to talk out their problems. Counselors can hold master’s degrees and receive their educations online or at a traditional school.  

Psychiatric Nurses

Psychiatric nurses are registered nurses with advanced degrees in psychotherapy. They generally hold master’s degrees or higher, and specialize in mental health. Nurses of this status can work as counselors in clinics, psyche wards and hospitals. They may also work closely with psychiatrists, mental health counselors and doctors to treat patients. Advanced psychiatric nurses can prescribe medications and treatments without the permission of higher medical professionals.  Psyche nurses may choose to practice alone in this case.

Psychologists

Psychologists can hold jobs as private counselors or members of mental health facilities. Since they cannot prescribe medications, psychologists use non-medicinal methods to treat patients. They observe and evaluate their patients’ behavior to decide the best course of action. Many professional psychologists successfully treat patients by using aptitude tests, hypnosis and several other methods.