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Mental Health Counseling vs. Social Work

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At first glance, mental health counseling and social work can seem very similar: As two of what are called the helping professions, both involve providing support to people in need.

According to the Mental Health Wellness Association, social workers, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists are all considered mental health professionals. But while counselors and social workers both operate in mental health, the focus and scope of their work differs.

Individuals who are interested in a career as a mental health professional may choose to pursue a focused degree, such as a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).

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Defining Mental Health Counseling and Social Work

Mental health counselors work with people suffering from mental health disorders or illnesses. Social workers help people cope with various problems, which can include mental health issues, but also can encompass justice system involvement and access to housing, healthcare, and public assistance.

Mental Health Counseling Job Overview

The main task of a mental health counselor is to provide treatment to individuals or groups to improve their mental health. Issues that counselors address include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and suicidal impulses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Their everyday tasks include:

  • Evaluating clients’ mental health
  • Developing treatment plans with clients
  • Encouraging behaviors necessary to recovery
  • Identifying resources such as support groups for clients
  • Leading outreach programs

Typical work environments for mental health counselors include outpatient mental health centers, family services, hospitals, and residential mental health facilities.

Social Work Job Overview

Social workers may help clients deal with mental health issues, but their work also extends to helping individuals cope with and resolve other problems that occur in their daily lives. Social workers’ tasks include:

  • Identifying people in need
  • Locating support networks for clients
  • Helping clients adjust to life changes such as divorce
  • Advocating for community resources such as food stamps
  • Responding to child abuse and mental health emergencies

Work environments for social workers include healthcare facilities, child and family offices, schools, government agencies, and mental health and substance abuse clinics.

Similarities Between Mental Health Counseling and Social Work

Mental health counseling and social work practices share some elements, particularly regarding how they interact with clients.

Emotional Support

Both mental health counselors and social workers offer emotional support to people working through challenging situations and connect them with additional resources, if necessary. Mental health counselors offer their individual clients therapeutic support through listening and helping them create plans of action to work through mental health issues.

Similarly, social workers provide support to clients in ways such as intervening with parents to help a child’s emotional growth. They also link families experiencing similar emotional issues together, and visit homes to help parents have positive interactions with their child.

Develop Relationships with Clients

Professionals in both fields work with individuals, families, or groups to develop relationships over time as they go through difficult experiences, such as treatment, therapy, or 12-step programs. The trust built through long-term relationships can help clients see positive results.

Mental health counselors peel back layers of a client’s mental health issues to identify root causes and develop treatment plans, which takes time. Similarly, social workers develop relationships with their clients to establish safe environments where the clients can open up to fully reveal areas where they need assistance.

Differences: Mental Health Counseling vs. Social Work

While the two fields share similarities, the differences are distinct.

Area of Focus

Mental health counselors specialize in providing therapy to individuals with mental health issues such as depression, grief, and anxiety, while most social workers have a broader scope of practice. Social workers with clinical licenses can diagnose and treat clients with mental health or behavioral disorders, developing ways they can cope with situations or change their behavior. However, they also represent families in interactions with government agencies (such as the Department of Child and Family Services), connect clients with housing and other services, and advocate for clients in the criminal justice system.

Education

Individuals in both professions need at least a bachelor’s degree, but most mental health counseling positions also require a master’s, and all mental health counselors are required to hold state licensure. State licensure requirements differ by state, but they typically require a master’s degree in a related field, supervised clinical hours, and a passing score on the National Counselor Examination.

In social work, a variety of entry-level positions are open to those who complete a BSW program, which will typically include supervised fieldwork or internship requirements. Clinical social work jobs require a Master of Social Work (MSW), supervised clinical experience, and licensure.

Salaries

According to the BLS, as of 2019, mental health counselors had a median salary of $46,240 while social workers had a median salary of $50,470. Mental health counselors make more in government positions and in hospitals, while social workers make more as general social workers or in healthcare.

Pursue a Career as a Mental Health Professional

Begin your career as a mental health professional with the online Bachelor of Social Work at Maryville University. Our program teaches students the skills they need to make a difference in their communities through social work. Explore more about how Maryville University can help individuals pursue their professional goals and work toward a better world.

Business

The Effects of Spatial Computing

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Computer-generated reality is having a growing impact on our lives each year through the use of augmented reality and virtual reality, which are examples of spatial computing. The technology is relatively small, such as the AR/MR smart glasses with OE Z-Lens, Apple Vision Pro, and Meta Quest 2, but they provide great opportunities for users to interface in 3D with near-to-eye display technology. 

From gaming to education, spatial computing improves the way we experience the world around us. The use of this technology means business calls can be made holographically from anywhere in the world, games are able to be accessed through the metaverse, education can become more hands-on, and healthcare is able to be further catered to people’s unique needs. And there is still much more to come! 

In the current state of spatial computing, near-to-eye displays are replacing various phone functions other than calling.This is mainly being done through AR glasses, which use reflective waveguides to project images toward the eye and offer benefits like extended battery life, better brightness, and a greater field of view. Spatial computing is having significant effects on how we work and play, with new advancements expected to create more changes in the near future.

Spatial Computing: The Future of Work and Play
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Cybersecurity Solutions to Implement in 2024 

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As we embrace the digital future, the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace. With new threats emerging every day, businesses must stay ahead of the game by implementing robust and efficient cybersecurity solutions.

As we peek into the horizon of 2024, here are some top-notch strategies that every business should consider to maintain a secure and resilient digital infrastructure.

Invest in a Comprehensive Threat Detection System

The first step to take is to invest in threat detection technologies that can quickly identify suspicious activities. This should include malware and ransomware protection, application vulnerability scanning, and regular patching. Additionally, consider deploying an intrusion prevention system (IPS) to combat more sophisticated threats like zero-day attacks.

Train Employees in Cybersecurity Best Practices

No matter how good your technical solutions are, they will be rendered useless if employees fail to adhere to best practices. Make sure that everyone in the organization is aware of the risks and knows what steps to take when handling sensitive information. Additionally, creates a culture of security by incentivizing staff to follow cybersecurity protocols.

Utilize Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to store and manage data. Not only does it provide flexibility and scalability, but you can also take advantage of advanced security features like encryption, access control, and multi-factor authentication.

Furthermore, cloud providers are always on the lookout for new threats and have a team of security professionals on hand to respond quickly if something goes wrong.

Implement Automated Network Monitoring and Logging

Automation can be a great help when it comes to network monitoring and logging. By setting up automated processes, you can ensure that all logs are automatically collected and analyzed in real-time.

This will allow you to quickly identify any suspicious activities and take corrective action. Additionally, consider using machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies that may not be detected by traditional methods.

Use Password Management Tools

One of the most basic steps to take when it comes to cybersecurity is implementing strong passwords and changing them regularly.

To make this process easier, you can use password management tools like LastPass or 1Password which let you securely store passwords and access them quickly when needed. Additionally, consider enabling two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.

Leverage Encryption Technologies

Encryption is one of the most powerful tools when it comes to data protection. By encrypting sensitive information, you can make sure that even if it falls into the wrong hands, it will remain unreadable. There are various encryption technologies available and you should choose one that best fits your needs.

These are just a few strategies that you can implement in 2024 to keep your digital infrastructure secure and resilient. However, the key takeaway here is that cybersecurity is constantly evolving and becoming more complex.

As such, businesses must stay up to date and invest in solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. With the right tools and strategies in place, you can ensure a secure future for your business. 

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How Professional Construction Management Can Make Your Project Better

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Construction projects are complex and require many different skills to work together in order to be successful. By leveraging the expertise of a professional construction manager, your project will benefit from their insight into the industry, knowledge of regulations and codes, experience with suppliers and contractors, and ability to manage budgets. Professional construction management offers a number of benefits that can help ensure your project is completed on-time and within budget. Here are a few,

Guidance on best practices and processes

By taking advantage of their expertise in the industry, they can provide guidance on best practices and processes that will make the most efficient use of resources. They can also offer insight into potential problem areas that could impact the timeline of the project and provide guidance on how to steer clear of them.

They can also help you make sure that all regulations and codes are properly followed. They will have a thorough understanding of applicable laws and requirements, as well as an understanding of local ordinances that must be observed. This ensures compliance with both state and federal regulations, which can save your project from costly delays or fines.

Professional experience working with suppliers and contractors

In addition to their expertise in regulations, professional construction managers also have experience working with suppliers and contractors. This can save time when it comes to selecting a contractor for the job and negotiating prices with potential vendors. By leveraging their knowledge of the industry, they will be able to provide useful information on who has competitive prices and who can deliver on-time.Finally, professional construction management can help manage the financial aspects of the project.

A construction manager will be able to track costs and make sure that all expenses are accounted for. They can provide guidance on which materials or services are necessary and ensure that all bills are paid on time. This helps reduce the risk of unexpected costs or delays due to unpaid bills.

Quick and Efficient

By taking advantage of professional construction management, your project can be completed quickly, efficiently and on-budget. With their expertise in the industry, understanding of regulations and codes, experience with suppliers and contractors, and ability to manage budgets, a professional construction manager can make sure that your project is a success.

Construction projects are expensive endeavors and it’s important to make sure that your money is well spent. By investing in professional construction management, you can ensure that your project is completed on-time and within budget. The expertise of a professional construction manager will be an invaluable asset to you and your company, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of their services.

Your Project deserves the best attention and care

By utilizing the expertise of a professional construction manager, your project will be completed on-time and within budget. Don’t neglect this important step in ensuring success; make sure to hire a trustworthy and experienced construction manager for your next project. Remember that investing in the services of a professional construction management company is an investment in the future of your project.

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