New Mexico State University

The Counseling Program at NMSU prepares students for licensure as clinical mental health counselors and school counselors. Expectations and priorities of the faculty are reflected in the following beliefs:

Professional counselors will be of greater service to an ever-changing society if they are able to offer high quality counseling services to a wide variety of clientele in a wide variety of settings, including adults and children in community agencies and schools. The mental health and school counseling specialties share core knowledge and skills. They also share a commitment to promoting optimal human development and problem prevention. Mental health agencies and schools differ in the manner in which counseling is provided. The Program educates professional counselors about the unique aspects of mental health agencies and school settings, and how to adjust their approach to service delivery to fit those settings.

Knowledge and skills, which are uniquely required in one setting, are useful in the settings in which they have not traditionally been required. For example, mental health counseling knowledge about diagnosis of mental disorders is important during school counseling when engaged in screening and referral of students, and school counseling knowledge about group guidance and consultation is useful when serving school-age clients and their families in mental health agency settings. Knowledge of other settings and services is critical to professional counselors in any setting in which they are employed. School counselors work with students who are receiving counseling in the community. Community-based mental health counselors work with children and their families who are involved with the schools. To be effective in either setting,

counselors need to be knowledgeable about the other. The counseling program at NMSU is focused on providing that knowledge.