M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Career Development and Counseling
This course provides an understanding of career development theories and decision-making models; occupational educational information sources and systems; assessment instruments and techniques relevant to career planning and decision making;career, lifestyle, and leisure counseling; guidance and education;career development, program planning, resources, and effectiveness evaluation.

Addictions and Substance Abuse
This course introduces the multiple components and etiology of addictions and substance abuse. A strength-based and holistic model for assessment and evidence based research and treatment care models are examined.

Military Psychological Assessment
This course provides an understanding of the assessment instruments that are used with military populations (deployed and non-deployed personnel, veterans, and their families) including those assessments not normally provided in civilian clinics such as fitness for duty, sanity, and special duty clearance evaluations. Students review the settings in which these assessments are used and the way that their results are incorporated into military-based psychological practice to inform decision making, diagnosis, and treatment planning for these populations. Students learn about screening, self-reporting, and other evaluative measures that assess for disorders common among military populations including PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse/dependence, sleep related disturbances, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation or behaviors. Students analyze data collected during formal and informal assessment activities to obtain the most reliable and valid diagnoses and to synthesize data obtained through different assessment sources in clear and professional reports for this population. Students analyze military populations with different standard assessment tools.

For information on where The Chicago School of Professional Psychology meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit https://staging.thechicagoschool.edu/admissions/licensure-disclosures/.

Practicum and internship, sometimes referred to as fieldwork or applied professional practice experiences, provide for the application of theory and the development of counseling skills under supervision. These experiences offer opportunities for students to counsel and provide other professional services to diverse clientele in their communities. Each student is responsible for identifying potential practicum/internship sites according to program criteria described in the Fieldwork Manual. Students are encouraged first to assess their counseling and professional interests, training needs, and goals (e.g., populations, settings, clinical presentations, and professional activities of interest). Then students will tap into their existing personal and professional networks to learn of sites that provide clinical mental health counseling services. In addition, they may conduct internet searches; consult the websites of local, state, and national professional organizations; network with other human services organizations in their communities; or talk with the CMHC Director of Applied Professional Practice to brainstorm additional routes to site development.

Typically, students complete their practicum and internship at the same site. During the 14-week practicum course, students complete a supervised practicum experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor for a minimum of 100 hours. The practicum course is comprised of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the entirety of the semester, as well as coursework. Students will practice foundational counseling skills and, over time, integrate more advanced skills through practice in classes, supervised recorded sessions, and direct service at their sites. Moreover, the practicum experience often focuses on the personal qualities needed to develop genuine and effective counseling relationships with a wide range of clientele. As such, students learn self-assessment skills as well as how to understand clients’ worldviews.

After successfully completing the practicum course, students will enroll in Internship 1. During the 14-week Internship 1 course, students complete the next level of supervised internship experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor, for a minimum of 300 hours to further develop their individual and group counseling skills. The Internship 1 course is comprised of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in site and group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the semester, as well as coursework.

Following successful completion of Internship 1, students will enroll in Internship 2. During the 14-week Internship 2 course, students complete a more advanced level of supervised internship experience at an approved site with an approved clinical supervisor for a minimum of 300 hours to further develop their individual and group counseling skills. The Internship 2 course is comprised of the on-site clinical counseling supervised experience, and students must participate in site and group supervision, which meets weekly throughout the semester, as well as coursework. The internship is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a clinical mental health counselor, and students will participate in the full range of roles and responsibilities available at their sites.

Note the practicum and internship experiences are conducted under the direction of a qualified on-site supervisor, and the minimum total number of hours accrued is 700 (i.e., 100 practicum hours + 300 Internship 1 hours + 300 Internship 2 hours = 700 total hours). An advanced internship course is available to students needing a full year of fieldwork or 900 hours of internship to complete the necessary coursework for counseling licensure in certain states.

Application to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to do graduate work. GPA from undergraduate schools is considered for admission. Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned. It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their application. Additional factors that are considered in admission include:

• Application
• Application fee ($50)
• Essay: The mission of the program is to prepare Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHC), representative of the communities we serve, to work in diverse trauma-informed interdisciplinary team environments applying core counseling skills in traditional and integrated care contexts utilizing both clinic based and telehealth service delivery methods to positively impact community members’ mental health and wellness needs across the lifespan, particularly those in mental health provider shortage areas. In a two-page essay address the following: 
  • How you would contribute to the fulfillment of the program’s mission given your personal and professional characteristics and accomplishments, your academic background, and your experience, and 
  • Upon successful completion of the program, how do you see yourself contributing to the profession as a clinical mental health counselor?
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Admissions interview
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university

Each applicant is reviewed holistically, taking factors such as personal and professional experience and accomplishments into consideration. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions to discuss their unique qualifications.

The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to everyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will help provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.

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