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Introduction
Licensed professional counselors are an important part of the healthcare team. Their skills are vital in ensuring that the populations mental health issues are addressed in the most effective way possible. This paper will begin by reviewing an institution primarily focused on the delivery of mental health services. The elements of professional counseling will then be evaluated and discussed in detail, after which the managed care requirements will be assessed. The final section will include a reflection on the counseling profession and the various elements required for success. Mental health is an essential determinant of an individuals quality of life. It is critical to ensure that services are availed to those in need at the earliest opportunity to alleviate suffering and improve outcomes.
The Organization
The Sheppard Pratt Outpatient Mental Health Center
The Sheppard Pratt Outpatient Mental Health Center is located in Baltimore, where it effectively addresses the populations mental health needs. The organization offers a wide variety of mental health services in a central location. This ensures that all members of the community can get help as needed. In addition to its dedication to charity, Sheppard Pratt encourages diversity and cares for the people in the community it serves.
The organization has stayed true to its core values since it was founded. Since 1853, Sheppard Pratt has led the way in changing its clients lives (Sheppard Pratt, 2021a). The institutions mission is to improve the populations quality of life by effectively addressing their mental health, special education, addiction, and community support needs. With regard to its values, the organization has remained committed to its Quaker heritage. As such, key values such as community, integrity, peace, simplicity, and equality inform the institutions guiding principles (Sheppard Pratt, 2021a). Sheppard Pratts core values include meeting the peoples needs by dedicating efforts towards the preservation of health and the improvement of their clients quality of life. In addition, the organization is focused on identifying effective ways to serve its patients while employing the highest standards of professionalism. Finally, Sheppard Pratt is dedicated to respecting each and every individuals human dignity.
Sheppard Pratt was founded on specific guiding principles that have facilitated the satisfaction of its clients. The first is the delivery of quality services by meeting professional standards and tirelessly working to better every aspect of their work (Sheppard Pratt, 2021a). The second is empowerment, where the promotion of staff and client autonomy are prioritized. The organization also prioritizes integrity, where every activity is conducted in an honest and ethical manner. Sheppard Pratt also prioritizes innovation through the application of the latest scientific advancements to improve service delivery and community, where deliberate steps have been taken to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health services.
Services
Sheppard Pratt offers a wide variety of services tailored for individuals of all ages. The organization cares for children, young adults, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. It helps its clients treat mental health and concurrent disorders in a bid to improve their quality of life. A majority of the individuals who seek services from the institutions are often undergoing life changes, behavioral challenges, relationship problems, or mental illness.
The services at the institution are designed to address specific needs. These include psychiatric assessment and diagnosis for individuals presenting with symptoms and family, group, or individual therapy for patients with specific behavioral or mental illnesses. Sheppard Pratt also offers medical management services, marital and couple counseling, play therapy, and family psychoeducation (Sheppard Pratt, 2021b). It is vital to note that the organization also runs drug and alcohol support groups where individuals are educated on substance abuse.
Sheppard Pratt is keen to identify patient needs and evaluate its services and programs. Through the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and its Local Review Research Committee (LRRC), the institution oversees research activities aimed at improving service delivery within its premises. It is vital to note that the IRB and the LRRC meet on a regular basis to evaluate research applications submitted by members of staff or interested parties. In addition, the institutions board of trustees ensures that the institutions services meet patient needs and improve the quality of their lives. It ensures that the guidelines proposed to govern the humane treatment of the mentally ill are enforced. The board also evaluates specific programs by assessing performance and incident reports.
Professionals
Sheppard Pratt applies a top-down approach when making decisions regarding its daily operations. The organizations top leaders are the president and CEO, the CFO who doubles as the vice president, the chief medical officer, the chief nursing officer, and the chief operations officer. Below the aforementioned leaders are directors such as the director of research programs, the director in charge of the center for eating disorders, and the director of residential services. It is vital to note that decisions affecting the entire organization are made from the top down. However, decisions regarding daily organizational functioning are made at the departmental level with strict observance of outlined policy. The board of directors is tasked with outlining policies that help guide decisions and facilitate conflict resolution. The executive board and trustees are expected to facilitate the judicious use of the organizations scarce resources.
The institution employs a multidisciplinary team to effectively address patient needs. Other members of staff include social workers, clinical supervisors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatrists. These individuals specialize in specific areas of mental health and are part of teams designed to deliver holistic care to patients. It is worth noting that program coordinators, managers, and directors ensure that the staff has access to the resources they need to facilitate effective service delivery.
Sheppard Pratt is funded by a variety of sources within the United States. For instance, it receives grants from foundations and non-profit organizations. The Stanley Medical Research Institute donated a total of 573857 dollars to the organization for neurovirology studies in December 2019 (Cause IQ, 2021). The institution also receives funding from the federal government. For instance, the Education Department donated 307698 dollars to the institution in a program aimed to facilitate education research and development (Cause IQ, 2021). The aforementioned organizations are critical because they provide the resources Sheppard Pratt uses to deliver essential mental health services to the community. The organization engages with Medicare, Maryland Medicaid, and other major insurance companies such as Kaiser, United Healthcare, Aetna, and CareFirst. It is vital to note that there is significant variation between policies which affects the services delivered to specific clients.
The members of staff at Sheppard Pratt have numerous opportunities for professional and personal development. There are a variety of training and education opportunities at the institution. For instance, it runs a psychiatric residency program and a post-doctoral trauma fellowship for medical and post-doctoral students. In addition, there is a continuing education program that offers opportunities for professionals to sharpen their skills and use evidence-based techniques in their practice. Through their weekly lecture series, the institution is able to disseminate knowledge on various mental health topics. Interested members of staff can engage in the programs to improve their skills in the workplace.
The Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
A licensed professional counselor is a person trained to work with patients in a clinical setting to address social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Clay works as s mental health service provider, and he primarily evaluates people for mental health disorders and prescribes treatment. He is engaged in the Sheppard Pratt Outpatient Mental Clinic and is covered by managed care institutions which make his services affordable. Clay spends the bulk of his time engaging in talk therapy. He addresses the needs of married couples in a bid to strengthen their relationship and create a suitable environment for children.
A typical day at the outpatient center involves a variety of activities. Clay notes that he usually sees an average of four patients every day. Most of his clients seek assessments for mental health conditions, psychotherapy services, and crisis management. In addition, he consults with organizations to facilitate change management, buyouts, and other challenging situations. The administrative services he commonly engages in include organizing mental health programs and facilitating community outreach.
Challenges
The counseling profession is often challenging, given the severity of issues professionals aim to address. For instance, managing reluctant patients is difficult because they lack insight and are unwilling to divulge details that would aid in their treatment. It is vital to note that personal views may sometimes impact the quality of care offered to a patient. Licensed professional counselors sometimes struggle to set boundaries for relationships with their clients. While patients often become dependent on their counselors, the feeling is sometimes reciprocated, leading to an unhealthy therapeutic relationship.
Benefits
There are many benefits to being a licensed professional counselor. For instance, there is a significant degree of fulfillment that comes from helping families thrive and aiding in the recovery of an individual from a behavioral or mental disorder. Licensed counselors can apply some of the skills they use in practice to overcome personal challenges. In addition, interacting with patients helps broaden their perspectives as they get exposed to a variety of viewpoints in their therapeutic relationships.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful licensed professional counselors apply specific skills in their practice. It is essential to demonstrate empathy which allows for the formation of a beneficial therapeutic relationship. In addition, practicing active listening allows the counselor to understand the clients situation, which is essential for effective treatment. It is important to develop effective communication skills to facilitate the seamless exchange of information. Counselors must learn to set boundaries to ensure that the interaction remains professional, which is essential for effective recovery. S. P. Clay (personal communication, June 11, 2021). Counselors must possess the knowledge to offer quality services to their clientele. For instance, they must understand the mechanics of mental disorders and be aware of the various effects of commonly used medications. They must also be aware of the available therapeutic options and the most effective ways of applying them to specific cases (Burns & Cruikshanks, 2017). A heightened degree of knowledge and skills is essential for the delivery of quality services.
Similarities and Differences
Working in a multidisciplinary team is often intriguing to a number of professionals. In the field of counseling, psychiatrists often offer similar services to patients afflicted by behavioral or mental disorders. Both professional fields encourage the diagnosis and treatment of the identified illnesses using identical techniques and interventions. However, differences arise when invasive techniques are applied in the treatment process. S. P. Clay (personal communication, June 11, 2021). Licensed professional counselors are primarily focused on talk therapy as opposed to other interventions such as electroconvulsive treatments.
Unexpected Duties
While the counseling profession often deals with patients and their families, certain roles often come as a surprise. For instance, Clay did not expect that he would be required to help organizations implement change policies or guide employees through buyouts and mergers. In addition, the requirement to manage financial documents and business records was rather unexpected. He assumed that his role would be limited to talking to patients about the challenges they faced in their lives.
Preventing Burnout
It is essential to prevent burnout in view of the fact that it is associated with reduced productivity. The most efficacious interventions for the prevention of burnout include maintaining a healthy work-life balance by setting limits and understanding personal limits. It is essential to implement and apply a holistic self-care routine that incorporates aspects of social, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. It is essential to identify and use various sources of support to ensure that burnout is identified and addressed effectively. It is vital to point out that Clay uses the Maryland Medicaid insurance panel to cater to his patients needs.
Managed Care
United Healthcare
Requirements
The United Healthcare managed care company is lactated in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company outlines specific credentialing requirements for professionals interested in joining its team of providers. First, it is necessary to provide a practitioner degree and details of medical education. In addition, interested individuals must have completed a residency in the designated specialty.
Forms/Materials needed
Providers must present current state certification and licenses. It is vital to note that no temporary licenses are accepted (United Healthcare, 2021). The company also requires that providers present a five-year work history, and any gaps longer than six months must be explained (United Healthcare, 2021). Applicants must also provide a statement of work limitations, sanctions, and license history. United Healthcare also requires interested professionals to provide a W-9 form and a list of hospital staff privileges (United Healthcare, 2021). In addition, they must provide proof of malpractice insurance and comprehensive malpractice history.
Other
Facilities interested in joining United Healthcare must adhere to a raft of measures. For instance, each facility must provide comprehensive liability insurance, malpractice cover, and proof of Medicare and Medicaid program eligibility. In addition, appropriate accreditation from relevant agencies must be provided. Finally, each interested facility must provide proof of Centers for Medicaid and Medicare certification. It is vital to note that the company does not provide a specific list of available positions to be filled. In addition, it does not outline specific specialty areas that it is seeking.
Kaiser Foundation
Requirements
The company is located in Oakland, California, and it requires professionals to provide relevant previous work experience by giving exact dates. In addition, any information regarding previous or current group practice must be provided (Kaiser Permanente, n.d.).
Forms/Materials needed
In order to get credentialed by the Kaiser Foundation, interested applicants must provide relevant state licenses and certificates, including DEA, where applicable. Applicants are expected to provide documentation highlighting specific professional affiliations and education and training. The Kaiser Foundation also requires potential providers to present proof of liability coverage.
Other
It is vital to note that the institution has not advertised for specific positions, nor has it expressed interest in specific specialty areas.
Reflection
The path to becoming a licensed professional counselor includes specific steps. First, it is essential to complete a doctoral or masters degree from an accredited institution as determined by a governing body in a specific jurisdiction. It is essential to complete an internship program as well as the mandated hours for clinical work under the supervision of a practicing and licensed counselor. In addition, it is essential to pass the National Counselor Exam or its equivalent. It is vital to meet licensure requirements by engaging in continuous medical education and adhering to the code of ethics as outlined by the governing body in the jurisdiction in question.
Becoming a successful licensed professional counselor requires the mastery of specific skills and knowledge. I have learned that empathy is essential because it facilitates the creation of a beneficial therapeutic relationship. Counselors must also practice active listening and be effective communicators. These skills are essential because they allow health practitioners to understand the gravity of their patients problems. Counselors are then in a position to provide the most effective solution for the presented problem. Knowledge is an essential aspect of practice in counseling. It is important to understand the pathophysiology of common mental and behavioral disorders. In addition, it is critical to understand the mechanisms of action of various medications and their associated side effects. This helps the counselor explain the nature of the illness and the potential side effects of the medications they may use to facilitate recovery.
The process of becoming a managed care provider is challenging. This is because of the required paperwork and proof of continued medical education. There are associated costs such as liability insurance and career development through advanced learning. I have also learned that there are varied requirements and credentialing procedures conducted by different managed care companies. It is essential to understand the procedure prior to making an application.
This information-gathering activity has been illuminating in a number of ways. For instance, working as a licensed professional counselor can be fulfilling provided one acquires the skills and knowledge required to succeed. Secondly, it is vital to prepare for uncertainty, given that policy changes continually affect the profession. I foresee some challenges in my future practice. The most important one is the difficulty associated with managing clients in denial. Finding ways of connecting with individuals who believe they are not unwell is potentially complicated. Another challenge that might affect my future practice is the ability to achieve a work-life balance in order to avoid burnout. The complexity of life and the desire to succeed may inevitably lead to a costly imbalance. It is vital to embrace a holistic model that facilitates the achievement of harmony between work and life to ensure that a career in counseling is illustrious and fulfilling.
References
Burns, S., & Cruikshanks, D. R. (2017). Evaluating independently licensed counselors articulation of professional identity using structural coding. The Professional Counselor , 7(2), 185207. Web.
Cause IQ. (2021). Sheppard Pratt health system. Web.
Kaiser Permanente. (n.d.). Northern California: Regional credentialing. Web.
Sheppard Pratt. (2021a). Mission & values. Web.
Sheppard Pratt. (2021b). Outpatient mental health centers. Web.
United Healthcare. (2021). Get credentialed. Web.
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