bureaus, EAPs, family counseling centers, mental health centers, and crisis centers. The faculty in the program represents diversity of practice specializations and skills. The practicum and internship are the culmination of a student’s study in counseling. The emphasis is on specific direct clinical experiences that provide the opportunity for the student’s theoretical training to be practiced. The practicum and internship offer trainees the opportunity to demonstrate counseling competencies under clinical supervision. Students in the Clinical Mental Health counseling program must follow the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. Students and their supervisors are expected to recognize the importance of consulting with supervisors and colleagues when ethical issues arise during the course of professional practice. All courses in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling curriculum meet the educational requirements set by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling for licensure as a LMHC and are designed to meet the standards established by CACREP. Professional Identity Professional counselors are employed in many settings, from hospitals to halfway houses, prisons to clinics and large public agencies, and after appropriate experience, supervision, and licensure, private practice. All fifty states now require that counselors be licensed to practice. Licensing requirements include academic preparation, experiential learning, and a specified period of supervision before a counselor may practice independently. Students in the Counseling Program are encouraged to join the professional organizations that represent counselors such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) and their state chapter of the ACA. In addition, the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA), a division of ACA, participates with ACA in representing mental health interests. The faculty recommends that students participate in state and national conferences sponsored by the above organizations. These are venues that provide opportunities for students to network, to learn from others in the field, and to acquaint themselves with practices and procedures utilized in other parts of the country and world. Faculty and alumni have been active in many professional organizations and suggest that students become involved in these organizations early in their academic careers. The NLU Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program makes certain that students understand the Codes of Ethics subscribed to by each of the professional groups. Provided below are the web addresses for selected professional organizations and agencies: www.counseling.org American Counseling Association: www.amhca.org American Mental Health Counseling Association: https://fmhca.wildapricot.org/
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