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Mental Health Counselors

SOC 21-1014.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers licensed mental health counseling practice across outpatient, community, crisis, and supervisory contexts requiring master's or doctoral-level clinical preparation.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Client confidentiality obligations — apply by maintaining secure records and adhering to HIPAA and facility privacy protocols under supervisor review in an outpatient mental health setting.
  2. Active listening techniques — demonstrate by reflecting client statements and paraphrasing concerns during initial intake sessions under licensed clinician supervision.
  3. Client diagnostic records — complete standardized intake forms and progress notes accurately using electronic health record software with oversight from a senior counselor.
  4. Suicide risk screening tools — administer validated instruments such as the Columbia Protocol under direct supervision to assess patient safety in a clinical outpatient environment.
  5. Therapeutic rapport — initiate by engaging clients in open-ended dialogue to encourage expression of feelings during supervised individual counseling sessions.
  6. Crisis intervention protocols — follow established agency procedures to support client safety during acute distress situations with real-time supervisory guidance.
  7. Evidence-based counseling frameworks — identify and describe approaches such as CBT and motivational interviewing as introduced during graduate-level clinical training.
  8. Client progress notes — draft session summaries aligned with federal and state documentation requirements under the review of a licensed clinical supervisor.
  9. Social perceptiveness — apply by recognizing verbal and nonverbal cues that signal emotional distress during structured supervised sessions with individual clients.
  10. Case management software — navigate electronic medical record and database systems to retrieve and log client information accurately within an agency's documentation workflow.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Individual and group counseling sessions — facilitate routinely for clients managing dependency, life adjustment, or co-occurring disorders with reduced direct oversight in a community mental health center.
  2. Confidential client records — maintain and update federal- and state-mandated documentation independently, ensuring accuracy and compliance across an active caseload.
  3. Risk of suicide — assess systematically using clinical judgment and validated tools, formulating safety plans collaboratively with clients in both outpatient and crisis stabilization settings.
  4. Crisis intervention strategies — implement structured de-escalation and safety planning with clients in acute distress, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams as needed.
  5. Coping skill development — guide clients in identifying and practicing individualized strategies for managing anxiety, depression, or interpersonal conflict during ongoing therapeutic relationships.
  6. Treatment goals — collaboratively establish measurable objectives with clients, adjusting interventions in response to progress or setbacks across a routine caseload.
  7. Written clinical communications — compose clear and professionally structured progress notes, referral letters, and treatment summaries using word processing and office suite software.
  8. Reading comprehension of clinical literature — apply updated research findings to refine counseling approaches for clients presenting with complex mental health concerns.
  9. Time management — organize scheduling, documentation, and follow-up tasks efficiently to meet agency productivity standards while maintaining quality of care.
  10. Inductive reasoning — synthesize client-reported experiences and behavioral patterns to form preliminary diagnostic impressions within a supervised clinical framework.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full-scope individual and group therapy — deliver autonomously across diverse presenting concerns including trauma, addiction, and grief in community, hospital, or private practice settings.
  2. Complex suicide and homicide risk assessments — conduct comprehensive clinical evaluations, document findings, and initiate appropriate level-of-care decisions independently in high-acuity environments.
  3. Crisis intervention — lead real-time response for clients in acute psychiatric crisis, coordinating involuntary hold procedures and community resources without supervisory direction.
  4. Diagnostic formulation — integrate psychological, sociological, and cultural factors to develop nuanced case conceptualizations and individualized treatment plans for non-routine presentations.
  5. Client insight development — employ advanced therapeutic techniques to help clients recognize unconscious patterns, relational dynamics, and behavioral drivers across extended treatment arcs.
  6. State and federal compliance documentation — manage all mandated clinical records, audit-ready progress notes, and reporting obligations independently across a complex and varied caseload.
  7. Negotiation and persuasion — apply clinical communication skills to engage resistant or ambivalent clients in treatment planning and behavioral change within motivational interviewing frameworks.
  8. Complex problem solving — analyze multifactorial client situations involving legal, medical, housing, and relational variables to design integrated intervention strategies.
  9. Telehealth and technology platforms — utilize medical software, ERP systems, and secure electronic communication tools to deliver and document services across in-person and remote care environments.
  10. Learning strategies — select and apply differentiated psychoeducational approaches tailored to clients' literacy, culture, and cognitive capacity within community mental health and specialty care contexts.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Clinical supervision framework — design and implement structured supervision models that develop the competencies of emerging and developing counselors across a mental health agency or training program.
  2. Organizational treatment standards — establish evidence-based counseling protocols and quality benchmarks that shape practice across departments or multi-site behavioral health organizations.
  3. Crisis response systems — architect agency-wide crisis intervention procedures, training curricula, and community coordination agreements to ensure organizational readiness and client safety.
  4. Ethical and legal policy leadership — interpret evolving federal, state, and licensure board regulations to set institutional confidentiality and documentation standards and guide staff compliance.
  5. Program evaluation — design outcome measurement systems using data management and spreadsheet software to assess the effectiveness of counseling programs and drive continuous improvement.
  6. Workforce development — mentor interdisciplinary teams, lead professional development initiatives, and cultivate a culture of reflective practice and empathy across behavioral health departments.
  7. Strategic caseload and resource planning — apply project management and ERP software to allocate counseling staff, optimize service delivery capacity, and address community mental health gaps.
  8. Stakeholder engagement — represent the organization's clinical mission to boards, funding agencies, and community partners, translating complex mental health data into compelling presentations.
  9. Research and knowledge translation — lead systematic review of emerging therapeutic modalities and integrate validated innovations into organizational training and service delivery frameworks.
  10. Equity and access advocacy — develop and champion policies that address systemic barriers to mental health services for underserved populations at the organizational, regional, or policy level.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted documentation drafting — uses an AI writing tool to generate first-draft progress notes and mandated forms from session summaries, then reviews and edits every entry before filing to preserve accuracy and confidentiality Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Clinical insight augmentation — queries an AI assistant to surface evidence-based psychoeducation materials and treatment protocol summaries, integrating the output into session planning while retaining personal clinical judgment for each client Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Session note efficiency — delegates structured transcription and formatting of session content to an AI tool, recovering a measurable share of administrative time that is redirected toward direct client contact Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Crisis triage documentation — directs an AI assistant to compile chronological safety timelines and risk-factor summaries from case records, then applies independent clinical reasoning to all crisis intervention decisions because social perceptiveness remains in the AI-augmented rather than automatable quadrant Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Human-technology workflow design — configures AI-assisted intake and screening pipelines that pre-populate diagnostic record fields, while personally verifying every clinical inference before it enters the official record WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Collaborative treatment planning — co-develops structured treatment goal frameworks with an AI assistant drawing on DSM and evidence-based modalities, then applies active listening and judgment to adapt the plan to the individual client's expressed needs Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. AI governance in clinical settings — establishes practice-level standards for which counseling tasks are delegated to AI tools versus reserved for human therapeutic relationship, grounding those boundaries in demonstrated autonomy thresholds and the occupation's augmentation profile Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Supervisory oversight of AI-mediated caseloads — trains and supervises junior counselors on appropriate AI tool use, ensuring that high-autonomy AI outputs are always reviewed through the lens of social perceptiveness and culturally responsive practice before influencing client care Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 7267
Augment share: 95%
Time saved: 56.9%
AI autonomy: 3.59
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Social Perceptiveness
Score: 51.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Client intake communication — elicits presenting concerns and basic history through structured interview while maintaining a calm and nonjudgmental tone Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Progress note drafting — documents session content and client responses in written notes using standard clinical language under supervision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Therapeutic disclosure — explains confidentiality limits and mandated reporting obligations to clients at the start of treatment using clear, accessible language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Reflective listening — mirrors client language and emotional tone to deepen rapport and invite elaboration during individual counseling sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Psychoeducation delivery — explains mental health diagnoses, coping frameworks, and treatment rationale to clients using jargon-free language appropriate to their literacy level O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Group facilitation communication — guides group therapy discussions by redirecting tangents, drawing out quieter members, and summarizing themes for shared understanding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Crisis communication — delivers clear, de-escalating verbal responses during acute psychiatric crises to orient disoriented clients and coordinate with emergency services O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Diagnostic documentation — completes federally and state-mandated diagnostic records, DSM-5 formulations, and progress notes with clinical precision and regulatory compliance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Collateral communication — conveys treatment-relevant client information to psychiatrists, case managers, and family members while adhering to HIPAA and confidentiality standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Supervisory consultation communication — articulates complex case conceptualizations to multidisciplinary teams, trainees, and supervisors in a manner that advances shared clinical understanding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Advocacy writing — authors formal clinical letters, court reports, and disability documentation that translate therapeutic findings into language credible across legal, medical, and educational systems O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cultural communication adaptation — modifies verbal style, metaphor, and psychoeducational framing to align with clients' cultural backgrounds, primary languages, and worldviews across a caseload of diverse populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership9 statements
Emerging
  1. Case ownership initiation — accepts responsibility for managing an assigned caseload under clinical supervision, tracking client progress and flagging concerns proactively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Treatment planning participation — contributes individual client goals to team-developed care plans, demonstrating initiative in proposing evidence-based interventions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Group therapy leadership — facilitates therapeutic group sessions independently, establishing norms, managing interpersonal conflict, and sustaining a safe container for member vulnerability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Crisis leadership — takes charge during client safety emergencies by initiating risk protocols, coordinating with emergency contacts, and directing de-escalation steps without waiting for supervisor instruction O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Treatment team leadership — leads interdisciplinary case conferences, synthesizing clinical perspectives and directing consensus around treatment priorities for high-acuity clients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Intern mentorship — guides practicum students or new counselors through case conceptualization, ethical dilemmas, and documentation standards, modeling professional clinical conduct Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Suicide risk management leadership — independently conducts structured suicide risk assessments, executes safety planning, and coordinates hospitalization when indicated, assuming full clinical accountability for outcomes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Program development leadership — designs and implements new clinical programming, group modalities, or community outreach initiatives that expand the organization's mental health service capacity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systems advocacy leadership — champions policy changes at the agency or legislative level to reduce barriers to mental health care access for underserved populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Self-monitoring in sessions — recognizes when personal emotional reactions are influencing therapeutic responses and pauses to self-correct before proceeding with the client Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Supervision receptivity — identifies gaps in clinical knowledge or skill through reflective supervision conversations and articulates specific learning goals in response Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Countertransference awareness — monitors internal emotional responses to client content across sessions and uses reflective journaling or supervision to prevent bias from shaping clinical judgment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Theoretical self-assessment — evaluates alignment between chosen therapeutic modality and client presentation, adjusting theoretical lens when progress stalls Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Case conceptualization self-evaluation — systematically reviews diagnostic hypotheses and treatment assumptions at clinical checkpoints, revising formulations when new client information challenges earlier conclusions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy calibration — identifies specific competency deficits through outcome data and peer feedback, then selects targeted continuing education or consultation to address those gaps Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Metacognitive modeling — teaches clients to observe their own thought patterns, cognitive distortions, and emotional triggers as a therapeutic intervention within CBT or DBT frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Clinical reflexivity leadership — leads reflective practice groups for counseling staff, guiding structured examination of collective blind spots, theoretical assumptions, and cultural biases in case formulation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Differential diagnosis reasoning — identifies multiple possible diagnostic explanations for a client's presenting symptoms using DSM-5 criteria and psychological assessment data under supervision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Risk factor identification — recognizes documented suicide and violence risk factors in client history and flags them for supervisor review during intake assessment O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Evidence-based intervention selection — evaluates empirical support for competing therapeutic approaches and selects interventions matched to client diagnosis, cultural context, and treatment goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Assessment data integration — synthesizes information from clinical interviews, standardized measures, and collateral sources to form a coherent biopsychosocial case formulation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Suicide risk stratification — applies structured clinical judgment tools alongside actuarial risk factors to stratify client lethality and determine the least restrictive clinically appropriate level of care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Treatment resistance analysis — examines stalled therapeutic progress by systematically evaluating misaligned goals, unaddressed trauma, diagnostic inaccuracy, or therapeutic alliance ruptures as contributing factors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Ethical dilemma resolution — analyzes competing ethical obligations—confidentiality, duty to warn, client autonomy—using ethical decision-making frameworks to reach a defensible clinical course of action Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Complex comorbidity formulation — constructs integrated case conceptualizations for clients with co-occurring substance use, personality disorders, and trauma histories, identifying transdiagnostic mechanisms to guide sequenced treatment O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Program outcome evaluation — critically evaluates aggregate client outcome data to identify treatment efficacy gaps and redesign clinical protocols based on evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Multidisciplinary team participation — attends case conferences and contributes client observations while remaining open to psychiatric and social work perspectives that differ from one's own clinical read Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Referral coordination — identifies client needs outside one's scope and initiates warm handoffs to psychiatrists, peer support specialists, or community resource providers O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Co-therapy collaboration — partners with a co-therapist in group settings by coordinating role division, debriefing session dynamics, and reconciling differing clinical observations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Family systems coordination — collaborates with family members or support networks in conjoint sessions, balancing individual client confidentiality with the therapeutic value of systemic involvement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Crisis team collaboration — functions as an integrated member of mobile crisis or inpatient transition teams, sharing real-time clinical information and jointly executing safety plans across providers O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. School and community partner collaboration — works jointly with school counselors, probation officers, or housing case managers to align therapeutic goals with clients' broader social system needs O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Supervision dyad collaboration — engages in reciprocal supervisory relationships by offering case observations to supervisors and peers while integrating external clinical perspectives into one's own practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Interagency collaboration leadership — establishes and sustains formal collaborative agreements with hospitals, courts, and social service agencies to create coordinated care pathways for high-need client populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaborative research participation — partners with academic institutions or community organizations on practice-based research, contributing clinical expertise to study design, data interpretation, and dissemination Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Confidentiality stewardship — maintains strict security of physical and electronic client records from the first day of practice, treating privacy as a non-negotiable professional obligation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Boundary recognition — identifies and avoids dual relationships, self-disclosure errors, and scope-of-practice violations by consulting ethical codes when uncertain Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Mandated reporting integrity — fulfills child abuse, elder abuse, and duty-to-warn obligations promptly and completely even when doing so is emotionally difficult or risks the therapeutic alliance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cultural humility practice — acknowledges personal cultural biases and their potential influence on clinical judgment, seeking consultation when cultural difference may affect assessment accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Accountability in documentation — completes all progress notes, treatment plans, and billing records with factual accuracy and timeliness, resisting pressures to misrepresent clinical findings O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Ethical consultation modeling — proactively raises complex ethical concerns in supervision or ethics committee consultation rather than resolving ambiguous situations unilaterally Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Client dignity preservation — maintains unconditional positive regard and professional respect toward clients exhibiting behaviors that are stigmatized, legally problematic, or personally challenging to the counselor Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical leadership — establishes a culture of professional accountability within a clinical team by naming ethical concerns openly, supporting whistleblowing when necessary, and modeling transparent clinical decision-making Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Advocacy integrity — speaks truthfully on behalf of clients' mental health needs in legal, educational, and public policy forums, representing clinical findings accurately without distortion to achieve desired outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
7Creativity8 statements
Emerging
  1. Individualized intervention adaptation — modifies standard therapeutic homework assignments or worksheets to better match a specific client's cognitive level, cultural background, or daily routine Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative session openers — introduces metaphor, storytelling, or art-based check-ins to engage clients who resist direct verbal processing of emotional content Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Tailored coping strategy development — co-creates novel, client-specific coping tools by combining elements of mindfulness, behavioral activation, and values clarification to match a client's unique strengths and lifestyle Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Expressive modality integration — incorporates narrative therapy, role-play, or sand tray techniques into traditional talk therapy when verbal expression alone is insufficient for client processing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Crisis safety plan personalization — constructs individualized safety plans that move beyond template language to identify idiosyncratic warning signs, personal reasons for living, and creative distraction strategies specific to each client O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Group curriculum design — develops original psychoeducational group curricula combining evidence-based content with creative experiential exercises to increase engagement and retention among specific client populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Novel treatment model development — integrates multiple therapeutic frameworks into a coherent, original clinical approach tailored to underserved populations, documenting the model for training and replication Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Community intervention innovation — designs creative community-level mental health interventions—such as peer ambassador programs or arts-based outreach—that reach populations who do not engage with traditional counseling services Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset8 statements
Emerging
  1. Supervisory feedback integration — receives corrective clinical feedback without defensiveness and applies supervisor recommendations in subsequent sessions within the same week Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Challenge acceptance — voluntarily accepts client cases involving unfamiliar diagnoses or populations, viewing them as learning opportunities rather than threats to competence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Clinical outcome reflection — reviews cases with poor treatment outcomes to extract learning rather than attributing failure solely to client resistance or external circumstances Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuing education pursuit — seeks licensure-required and self-directed continuing education in emerging areas such as trauma-informed care, telehealth, or specific evidence-based protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Setback-informed practice evolution — revises therapeutic approach following a therapeutic alliance rupture or clinical misstep, incorporating the learning into a modified case conceptualization and treatment strategy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Scope expansion through consultation — pursues peer consultation or specialist supervision when encountering client presentations at the edge of current competence, using discomfort as a growth signal rather than a reason to refer away Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Growth culture cultivation — fosters a learning-oriented team environment by normalizing clinical mistakes as learning data, structuring peer consultation groups, and celebrating skill development across staff levels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Research-practice bridge building — stays current with psychotherapy outcome research and integrates new empirically supported techniques into practice, modeling intellectual curiosity and evidence-based evolution for supervisees Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Attentive session presence — maintains sustained attention on client verbal and nonverbal communication throughout sessions, minimizing cognitive distraction from personal concerns or next-session scheduling Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation awareness — recognizes in-the-moment emotional activation triggered by client content and uses brief grounding techniques to restore clinical presence before responding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Nonreactive listening — receives clients' expressions of anger, hopelessness, or resistance without immediate defensive or reassuring responses, holding space for emotional experience to unfold Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Somatic attunement — notices shifts in client body language, breathing, and vocal tone as real-time data about emotional state, integrating these observations into clinical responses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Mindfulness-based intervention delivery — teaches mindfulness meditation, body scan, and breathing regulation techniques to clients with anxiety, trauma, or mood disorders as evidence-based clinical interventions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Vicarious trauma self-regulation — applies personal mindfulness and self-care practices consistently to prevent compassion fatigue from impairing therapeutic presence and clinical judgment across a high-acuity caseload Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Intentional pacing — regulates the speed and depth of therapeutic inquiry in real time, slowing or pausing the session when a client shows signs of overwhelm or dissociation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindfulness curriculum integration — develops and delivers mindfulness-based therapeutic curricula such as MBSR or MBCT adaptations tailored to specific client populations including trauma survivors or chronically ill individuals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Team mindfulness modeling — introduces structured mindfulness practices into clinical team meetings and supervision, demonstrating how present-moment awareness reduces reactivity and improves collaborative clinical decision-making Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Secondary trauma tolerance — continues to function professionally after exposure to graphic client trauma disclosures by utilizing peer support and supervision rather than avoidance or emotional shutdown Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Uncertainty tolerance — maintains therapeutic engagement with clients whose diagnoses remain unclear or whose prognosis is uncertain, resisting premature clinical closure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Crisis endurance — sustains calm, effective clinical functioning across multiple consecutive client crises within a single workday without allowing accumulated stress to degrade intervention quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Resistance persistence — continues delivering evidence-based interventions with clients who are ambivalent, hostile, or chronically non-adherent, maintaining therapeutic alliance without capitulating to avoidance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Chronic grief and loss exposure — repeatedly engages clients experiencing suicidal loss, terminal illness, or severe trauma without withdrawing emotionally or reducing therapeutic depth in response to personal discomfort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Involuntary hospitalization execution — carries out involuntary psychiatric hold procedures with professional steadiness even when the client expresses betrayal or rage, holding both clinical necessity and relational impact simultaneously O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. High-caseload sustainability — maintains therapeutic quality and professional standards across a large caseload under systemic resource constraints, advocating for changes without allowing frustration to compromise client care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional adversity navigation — persists in client advocacy and ethical practice when agency policies, funding cuts, or systemic failures create barriers to quality care, modeling resilience for the clinical team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Trauma-informed fortitude mentorship — teaches supervisees how to develop personal resilience practices and professional boundaries that sustain long-term effectiveness in high-trauma clinical environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Behavior Analyst · Behavioral Health Clinician · Behavioral Health Consultant · Behavioral Health Counselor · Behavioral Health Therapist · Bereavement Counselor · BSS (Behavior Support Specialist) · Case Manager · Clinical Counselor · Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) · Clinician · Corrections Caseworker
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingService OrientationActive LearningMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingPersuasionLearning StrategiesTime ManagementCoordinationNegotiationInstructingSystems AnalysisSystems Evaluation
Knowledge domains
Therapy and CounselingPsychologyCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageSociology and AnthropologyEducation and TrainingAdministrativeTelecommunications
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityWritten ExpressionSpeech RecognitionInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionSpeech ClarityCategory Flexibility
Work styles
EmpathyCooperationSincerityDependabilityStress ToleranceSelf-Control
Technology
Medical softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareProject management softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareSpreadsheet softwareInternet browser softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
  2. Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
  3. Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  4. Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others.
  5. Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
  6. Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
  7. Perform crisis interventions with clients.
  8. Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
CIP education codes
42.280351.150151.150351.150651.150851.1513

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.