# Mental Health Counselors > Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging. - Code: 21-1014.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 21-1014) - Family: [Community & Social Service](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-21), one of its 18 occupations - Tasks: 27 tasks (24 core and 3 supplemental) - Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1014.00 - JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/21-1014.00.json ## What the work is made of 1. Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment. Core task · Task 1591 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 2. Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships. Core task · Task 1592 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 3. Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts. Core task · Task 18483 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 4. Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports. Core task · Task 1594 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 5. Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes. Core task · Task 1595 · Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2021 6. Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems. Core task · Task 1593 · Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2021 7. Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others. Core task · Task 23908 · Rated by 72 people who do the job, August 2021 8. Perform crisis interventions with clients. Core task · Task 20402 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 9. Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes. Core task · Task 18484 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 10. Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge. Core task · Task 1598 · Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2021 11. Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests. Core task · Task 1596 · Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2021 12. Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy. Core task · Task 1608 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 13. Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status. Core task · Task 1606 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 14. Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information. Core task · Task 1600 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 15. Monitor clients' use of medications. Core task · Task 1610 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 16. Collaborate with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans. Core task · Task 23909 · Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2021 17. Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. Core task · Task 1597 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 18. Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives. Core task · Task 1604 · Rated by 71 people who do the job, August 2021 19. Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients. Core task · Task 1605 · Rated by 72 people who do the job, August 2021 20. Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary. Core task · Task 1602 · Rated by 72 people who do the job, August 2021 21. Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients. Core task · Task 1603 · Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2021 22. Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies. Core task · Task 1607 · Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2021 23. Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process. Core task · Task 1601 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 24. Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy. Core task · Task 1609 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 25. Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students. Supplemental task · Task 18485 · Rated by 72 people who do the job, August 2021 26. Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services. Supplemental task · Task 1612 · Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2021 27. Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues. Supplemental task · Task 18486 · Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2021 ## More in Community & Social Service - [Child, Family, and School Social Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1021.00): 21 tasks - [Clergy](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-2011.00): 21 tasks - [Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1099.00): no tasks listed - [Community Health Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1094.00): 28 tasks - [Counselors, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1019.00): no tasks listed - [Directors, Religious Activities and Education](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-2021.00): 19 tasks - [Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1012.00): 35 tasks - [Health Education Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1091.00): 16 tasks - [Healthcare Social Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1022.00): 17 tasks - [Marriage and Family Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1013.00): 15 tasks - [Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1023.00): 13 tasks - [Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1092.00): 21 tasks - [Rehabilitation Counselors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1015.00): 17 tasks - [Religious Workers, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-2099.00): no tasks listed - [Social and Human Service Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1093.00): 19 tasks - [Social Workers, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1029.00): no tasks listed - [Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1011.00): 23 tasks ## Where this comes from Quoted from O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0: free to copy and reuse, with credit. 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