Why did you enter a career as a Mental Health Counselor?
There are many different motivators for entering the field of Mental Health, but most reasons stem from the common ground of a desire to help people. Think about why you chose a career as a Mental Health Counselor and what motivates you to do your job every day.
Maybe you have dealt with the mental illness of someone close to you, or perhaps you are frustrated with the current model of mental health care, and you strive to make a positive difference. Whatever your motivation, speak openly about how you aim to make an impact through your work as a Mental Health Counselor.
"When I was a teenager, I was babysitting a 10-year-old girl, and she disclosed to me that she was being bullied in school and having thoughts of hating herself and not wanting to live. I have always been a good listener, so I asked her lots of questions and tried to make her feel at ease. I offered to facilitate a conversation between her and her parents or another trusted adult like a teacher. She agreed to let me help her, and we approached her parents together. Her parents put her into counseling immediately, and her mental health improved significantly. Seeing this improvement in her is what inspired me to explore career options related to counseling and mental health advocacy. My passion for helping others and my natural ability to listen while letting others feel safe are significant factors to my continued success in this challenging field."
"I chose to enter a career in mental health because I want to help people learn to cope with life's challenges. It's important to me that I work to make a positive change in society, and I believe that begins with a person's mindset. I think that if a person has the right mental tools, they'll be more resilient in life. This resiliency also creates a positive ripple effect on families and communities. When more people can thrive, our world will become a better place! I am happy with my choice to pursue a career as a Mental Health Counselor, and I look forward to making an impact on others."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I chose the career as a mental health counselor because I believe a person's mental health is very important as their physical health. A person's emotional pain is as important as their physical pain and many times the emotional pain is overlooked or stigmatized. My mom suffered from anxiety and worried a lot even when there was no need to do so. It affected her mentally, emotionally, and physically and because I was not knowledgeable about her illness, I could not be of assistance. Presently, being a mental health provider gives me the opportunity to educate others on various topics on mental health to promote wellness.
Stephanie's Feedback
Good answer.
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