Define and describe advocacy in the context of your counseling
specialty. As you think through the role of being an advocate in your specialty area (clinical
mental health), what challenges or needs in your specialty area might
require your advocacy work at the local, state, and national level? For example, you might face
a challenge related to inadequate funding for services in your area, or administrators who are not
supportive of your efforts, or lack of access to appropriate services due to geography. List at least
one challenge you might face in your counseling work at all three levels: Local, State, and
National. For each challenge that you identified, describe specific ways you might advocate to
bring about positive change. Also, describe to whom you would direct your advocacy efforts at
each level.
Advocacy Efforts: I would actively collaborate with local leaders and organizations. This could involve meeting with city council members or county commissioners to present data on the local need for mental health services. I would also partner with local non-profits and community organizations to establish a referral network that can better serve these populations. Finally, I would work with local clinics to simplify the intake process and advocate for sliding-scale payment options.
Target Audience for Advocacy: I would primarily direct my efforts toward local government officials, community health administrators, and leaders of local non-profit organizations.
State Level: Challenge & Advocacy
Challenge: Lack of mandatory mental health parity laws. In many states, insurance companies do not cover mental health services at the same level as physical health services, making care financially unfeasible for many.
Advocacy Efforts: I would join professional counseling associations, such as a state branch of the American Counseling Association (ACA), to support lobbying efforts. I would participate in "lobby days" at the state capitol, where I would meet with state legislators and their aides. I would share client stories (anonymously) to put a human face on the issue, explaining how the lack of parity affects real people and the broader community. I would also write to my representatives and encourage other counselors and clients to do the same.
Target Audience for Advocacy: My main targets would be state senators and representatives, as well as officials within the state's Department of Health and Human Services.
National Level: Challenge & Advocacy
Challenge: The professional identity and scope of practice of clinical mental health counselors are not universally recognized at the federal level. This can create barriers for counselors seeking to practice in different states or for them to be reimbursed by federal programs like Medicare.
Advocacy Efforts: At this level, my a
Sample Answer
Advocacy, in the context of clinical mental health counseling, is the act of speaking or acting on behalf of a client or a population to address a need, remove a barrier, or ensure access to resources and rights. It's about using one's professional position to promote justice, fairness, and the well-being of those served. This can involve advocating for an individual client (e.g., helping them access a specific service) or for systemic change (e.g., lobbying for mental health parity laws).
Challenges and Advocacy at Different Levels
As a clinical mental health counselor, I'd face distinct challenges at different levels that require advocacy.
Local Level: Challenge & Advocacy
Challenge: Inadequate access to affordable mental health services for low-income clients in the community. Many community mental health centers have long waiting lists or don't accept certain types of insurance, leaving vulnerable populations without care