Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselor is shown here through 20 concrete tasks that represent everyday duties and measurable outcomes. The examples include timing, common problems and how Client information database supports routine decisions. Each one shows where we found it, and comes with an AI prompt you can copy and use straight away.

20evidenced tasks
20ready prompts
4tools of the trade
21-1014.00O*NET-SOC code
Open Mental Health Counselor in the interactive atlas →

What it pays

Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.

In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →

The work, task by task

These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.

Analysing3

Examine issues including substance abuse, depression, and stress

+
Review Jose Martinez's intake record, list current substance use patterns, PHQ-9 trends, and recent…
Review Jose Martinez's intake record, list current substance use patterns, PHQ-9 trends, and recent stressors, flag safety concerns, then draft a focused assessment note and recommended referrals to detox or psychiatry before Friday afternoon.
The tools that do the workClient information databaseESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Develop therapeutic processes

+
Design a six-week therapeutic process for the adolescent anxiety group: outline weekly goals, core…
Design a six-week therapeutic process for the adolescent anxiety group: outline weekly goals, core interventions, measurable outcomes, caregiver involvement points, and required handouts, then circulate to the clinical supervisor for approval by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET

Provide individual and group counseling sessions

+
Schedule and prepare notes for individual sessions with Naomi Rivera and group therapy on Thursday: attach…
Schedule and prepare notes for individual sessions with Naomi Rivera and group therapy on Thursday: attach pre-session brief, update both treatment plans, confirm room booking, and send reminders to Naomi and the group list two days ahead.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookClient information databasejob descriptionsO*NET
Care2

Support clients in stress management

+
Prepare a four-week stress management plan for Aisha Khan that combines brief breathing exercises, a…
Prepare a four-week stress management plan for Aisha Khan that combines brief breathing exercises, a behavioural activation schedule, and two homework worksheets, then email the plan and session agenda to her and schedule a follow-up in two weeks.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Perform crisis intervention

+
Respond to the crisis call for Mark Lewis: document current risk and triggers, call his emergency contact,…
Respond to the crisis call for Mark Lewis: document current risk and triggers, call his emergency contact, notify the on-call psychiatrist, arrange an urgent safety plan and intensive follow-up within 24 hours, then upload the crisis note to the chart.
The tools that do the workClient information databaseESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
Protecting1

Monitor clients' use of medications.

+
Review medication lists and adherence notes for the three highest-risk clients, cross-check side-effect…
Review medication lists and adherence notes for the three highest-risk clients, cross-check side-effect reports from the last three sessions, document any discrepancies, notify the prescribing clinician if concerns arise, and update each care plan by noon tomorrow.
The tools that do the workClient information databaseESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
The daily work14

Offer education

+
Write a one-page handout for the drop-in group this Thursday that explains stress, burnout, grounding…
Write a one-page handout for the drop-in group this Thursday that explains stress, burnout, grounding techniques, and local low-cost supports, include a short breathing exercise to do in-session and a footer with crisis line 24/7 contact details.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO

Promote mental health

+
Draft an email to the clinic mailing list promoting next month’s six-week mental health skills series,…
Draft an email to the clinic mailing list promoting next month’s six-week mental health skills series, highlight benefits for caregivers, list session dates and cost (sliding scale), include referral instructions and a link to sign-up on our client portal.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCOsee the evidence ↗

Maintain accurate and confidential client records

+
Update each client’s confidential record with today’s session notes, risk status, consent forms and billing…
Update each client’s confidential record with today’s session notes, risk status, consent forms and billing code, confirm entries match intake documents, flag missing paperwork, and lock the file so only authorized staff can view it before leaving clinic today.
The tools that do the workClient information databasejob descriptionsO*NET
N

Help clients define goals and plan actions

+
Work with Maria Lopez to translate her presenting concerns into three measurable short-term goals, map one…
Work with Maria Lopez to translate her presenting concerns into three measurable short-term goals, map one action step per goal for the next two weeks, set dates for review sessions, and save the signed collaborative plan to her chart.
The tools that do the workClient information databasejob descriptionsO*NET

Work with individuals and groups to promote mental health

+
Run a mixed individual and group program this week: review group norms with participants, deliver the…
Run a mixed individual and group program this week: review group norms with participants, deliver the psychoeducation module on coping skills, document individual progress notes for each attendee, and schedule follow-up individual check-ins where needed.
The tools that do the workClient information databaseO*NETWikipedia

Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.

+
Conduct a structured suicide risk assessment with Daniel Rivera, record protective and precipitating factors,…
Conduct a structured suicide risk assessment with Daniel Rivera, record protective and precipitating factors, current intent and plan, level of access to means, safety plan items, and notify the on-call psychiatrist immediately if imminent risk is present.
The tools that do the workClient information databaseO*NET

Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.

+
Gather intake information from each new client today through a semi-structured interview: current symptoms,…
Gather intake information from each new client today through a semi-structured interview: current symptoms, medical and substance history, social supports, and observable mental state; score any screening tests used and file summaries in the client chart.
The tools that do the workClient information databaseO*NET

Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.

+
Survey local resources this week: compile a vetted list of five community programs, crisis lines, and housing…
Survey local resources this week: compile a vetted list of five community programs, crisis lines, and housing supports relevant to homeless clients, note eligibility criteria and referral steps, and share the resource sheet with the team at Friday supervision.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelClient information databaseO*NET

Conduct initial assessments and evaluations

+
Conduct an intake assessment for Maria Lopez, completing a biopsychosocial history, risk screening, current…
Conduct an intake assessment for Maria Lopez, completing a biopsychosocial history, risk screening, current symptom checklist, and a working diagnostic impression; send the completed assessment to the client record and schedule a 60‑minute follow‑up within two weeks.
The tools that do the workClient information databasejob descriptions

Collaborate with healthcare professionals for holistic care

+
Coordinate a care planning note for Jason Patel that summarizes my assessment, lists medication and medical…
Coordinate a care planning note for Jason Patel that summarizes my assessment, lists medication and medical providers, proposes goals and interventions, and request a multidisciplinary case conference with his PCP, psychiatrist, and occupational therapist for next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookClient information databasejob descriptions

Address issues related to aging

+
Assess Agnes Murphy for geriatric concerns: cognitive screen, depression and fall risk, social supports, and…
Assess Agnes Murphy for geriatric concerns: cognitive screen, depression and fall risk, social supports, and ADL/IADL safety; document findings, flag mobility and medication concerns, and refer to home‑based services if safety is compromised.
The tools that do the workClient information databaseWikipedia

Treat emotional and mental disorders

+
Design a treatment session plan for Kevin Ramos addressing his major depressive symptoms: outline CBT…
Design a treatment session plan for Kevin Ramos addressing his major depressive symptoms: outline CBT homework, crisis plan, medication adherence checks, weekly session goals for six weeks, and record consent for treatment in his chart.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordClient information databaseWikipedia

Provide therapy

+
Prepare a therapy session for Leila Gomez focusing on trauma‑informed interventions: set objectives, prepare…
Prepare a therapy session for Leila Gomez focusing on trauma‑informed interventions: set objectives, prepare grounding and stabilization exercises, note cultural and ethical considerations, and update the progress note after the 50‑minute session.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordClient information databaseESCO

Provide client advocacy

+
Compile an advocacy letter for the housing board on behalf of Daniel Ortiz: summarize his clinical needs,…
Compile an advocacy letter for the housing board on behalf of Daniel Ortiz: summarize his clinical needs, functional limitations, requested reasonable accommodations, attach recent assessment evidence, and send it to his housing caseworker and legal aid by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO

Says who?

These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.

The logs, files & records this job keeps

Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.

Related careers

Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.

The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.

The rest of the map

Same library, five ways in.

Copyright © LLOS.ai · 2026 — original pedagogy, voice, and design — all rights reserved.
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses