Editor: What To Know
- There are many mental health courses online or on campus that you could undertake to become a qualified mental health worker in a few short years.
- A Counsellor is a trained and qualified mental health professional that uses a variety of talk-based therapies to support their clients.
- The relationship with the client is one based on trust, respect and a shared agreement of what is helpful.
Are you currently studying or considering a career change? It’s an exciting time, with so many options available to you. The world is your oyster, and you can choose where your career takes you. Some are drawn to trades, and the prospect of running their own business is thrilling. Others may seek professional careers such as accounting, law or management. Some other folk may prefer science or technology. There are so many possible career pathways it’s almost mind-blowing.
Navigating the complexities of mental health careers, we often encounter specialized roles that cater to specific conditions, like Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Within this spectrum, the term “favorite person” can emerge, a concept unique to BPD dynamics, signifying someone to whom a person with BPD is deeply emotionally attached. For those intrigued by the intricate bonds formed in therapeutic settings, understanding what is a favorite person BPD is essential. This knowledge not only enriches the professional’s toolkit but also illuminates the nuanced pathways of human connections in mental health vocations.
One career path that is viable and worth pursuing is a career in mental health. There are many mental health courses online or on campus that you could undertake to become a qualified mental health worker in a few short years. This helpful article will share about the different mental health careers.
You Could Become a Counsellor
A Counsellor is a trained and qualified mental health professional that uses a variety of talk-based therapies to support their clients. They can quickly and easily build a trusting and healing relationship with their clients. They might support a client to quit smoking, lose weight, or work on their anxiety and depression.
Depending on the presenting issues, a qualified Counsellor may use therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The relationship with the client is one based on trust, respect and a shared agreement of what is helpful.
Become a Psychologist
A psychologist is a registered health specialist trained in human behaviour and cognition. Some psychologists choose to complete further studies to become endorsed in different specialised areas of psychology, such as clinical psychology, health, neuropsychology, community, organisational forensics and sports and exercise psychology.
Psychologists work in places such as community health centres, schools, hospitals, courts, businesses, prisons and private practices.
Some may specialise in helping children, teenagers or families. A psychologist will use a variety of talk-based therapies to support their clients, similar to a counsellor. However, a psychologist typically has more strenuous training and is paid at a higher rate than a counsellor.
Psychiatry
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed intensive specialised postgraduate training to gain their qualification. Psychiatry is a profession that can diagnose, treat and prevent mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. For example, a psychiatrist can diagnose borderline personality disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression and eating disorders.
A psychiatrist can also prescribe specific mental health medication to treat various mental illnesses. These might include antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications such as valium) and mood stabilisers like Lithium.
Psychiatrists tend to work in hospitals, private clinics, community mental health services or as part of public mental health clinics. Some psychiatrists will specialise in treating certain disorders or populations.
Become a Social Worker
Social workers are qualified and registered allied health professionals who assist people who are in crisis and need support in their lives. They can provide counselling, information and referrals to other services as well as work with clients to improve their autonomy. They can also advocate for clients to access other services or get financial or other assistance.
Social workers help their clients to face life’s challenges, improve their wellbeing and achieve their goals. Social workers usually see people when they are experiencing some sort of crisis, such as a mental health episode or substance abuse.
Social workers are trained at a tertiary level in human behaviour, social justice, modes of treatment and working with vulnerable people. They must meet specific professional standards and be accredited by their relevant national body.
Train as a Psychiatric Nurse
A psychiatric nurse supports mentally ill patients or those who are suffering from mental disorders, usually in a hospital setting such as an inpatient mental health ward. It is a specialised profession, and a psychiatric nurse can also support those suffering from trauma, abuse, stress or other emotional problems.
A psychiatric nurse typically works alongside psychiatrists, social workers, counsellors, and other mental health professionals. In addition to providing support to people experiencing mental health issues, they can also dispense psychiatric medication, usually prescribed by a psychiatrist.
A Mental Health Career Summary
This helpful article has shared about the primary careers in the mental health sector. Each of these career pathways has its own niche spot in the sector and can provide different types of support. Each one requires a specific undergraduate degree, and some (like psychiatry) require years of postgraduate training and placement.
