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CMHC Program Mission Statement

ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú's Mental Health Counseling (MHC) program is dedicated to preparing ethical, empathetic, and professionally competent mental health counselors. Situated in the vibrant and complex borderplex community, our program provides a unique and meaningful context for counselor education.

Our mission is to promote mental health and wellness for individuals, families, and communities by training competent counselors committed to ethical practice. We cultivate professional identity, trauma-informed approaches, technology-enhanced methods, and evidence-based practices. The program emphasizes empathetic understanding, advocacy, ethics, and high-quality services that meet the needs of the border community.

Through hands-on, community-based learning and strategic partnerships, we ensure students are actively engaged in real-world settings. We equip them to ethically and effectively leverage technology and digital tools, thereby increasing the accessibility and quality of care for underserved populations.

MHC students are trained to become clinically competent and personally grounded counselors who engage in ethical practice, support wellness, and expand access to mental health services. They are prepared to make meaningful contributions and pursue careers in community mental health centers, human service agencies, hospitals, private practices, and public institutions, serving with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to the well-being of all.

CMHC Program Objectives

Based on the philosophy articulated in our Mission Statement and guided by CACREP standards, the Mental Health Counseling program aims to prepare highly competent and ethical counselors who are ready to serve individuals and communities.

I. Student Learning Outcomes Our objectives for students are to:

1. Foundational Knowledge and Evidence-Based Practice:

1. Acquire comprehensive knowledge in core counseling subject areas, encompassing theories, principles, and professional practices essential for effective mental health counseling.
2. Develop proficiency in selecting, applying, and evaluating theoretical and evidence-based approaches to effectively serve all clients across the lifespan.

2. Professional Awareness and Respectful Practice:

1. Cultivate intrapersonal awareness and self-reflection to understand how personal biases, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors impact counseling relationships and professional functioning.
2. Demonstrate respect for individual expression and identity in professional counseling services, with sensitivity to the unique needs of clients and communities.
3. Understand contextual factors that affect mental health and actively develop strategies to address barriers to care within communities.
4. Develop and implement approaches that enhance accessibility and foster supportive environments for individuals and groups.

3. Ethical Practice and Professional Development:

1. Practice with a profound commitment to ethical responsibility, demonstrating the sensitivity and knowledge required to navigate ethical issues in counseling.
2. Exhibit empathy, interpersonal respect, and professional etiquette in all interactions, demonstrating openness to feedback for continuous personal and professional growth.
3. Demonstrate the ethical, therapeutic, and effective use of technology in the provision of counseling services.
4. Embrace a motivation and attitude of lifelong professional development and self-reflection as a counselor.

4. Responsive Practice and Applied Skills:

1. Demonstrate effective assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention that take into account relevant contextual factors such as trauma, socioeconomic influences, agency operations, and available community resources.
2. Apply counseling theory and skills effectively in real-world settings through supervised practicum and internship experiences.

II. Program Objectives for Community Impact

The Mental Health Counseling program, in collaboration with its partners, aims to:

1. Foster collaborative community engagement and strategic partnerships to address mental health needs and enhance overall well-being within the border region.
2. Contribute to the mental well-being of individuals and communities by preparing highly competent and ethically responsible counselors who are equipped to provide accessible and effective services.
3. Promote access to mental health services and develop strategies to reduce barriers to care for underserved populations.