How To Write An Effective Mental Health Counsellor Resume

Updated 30 September 2022

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Mental health counsellors work in facilities such as hospitals, schools and prisons, assisting patients in developing coping strategies for mental illness and stress. When applying for these positions, you need an effective resume for a mental health counsellor. It is critical to emphasise your counselling skills and experiences if you wish to work as a mental health counsellor. In this article, we examine what a mental health counsellor is, how to write a resume for a mental health counsellor and tips to get a job as a mental health counsellor.

What Is A Mental Health Counsellor Resume?

A mental health counsellor resume is a document that outlines the skills and experiences that demonstrate your ability to succeed in a mental health counselling position. Your experience can include jobs working in a healthcare setting or in the context of social work. Communication, empathy and critical thinking are all skills that mental health counsellors can use to perform their routine duties.

How To Write A Mental Health Counsellor Resume?

You can follow these steps to write an effective resume for a mental health counsellor position:

1. Decide on a resume format

Your qualifications and work experience determine your resume's best format. There are three common types of resumes, each with its own set of benefits for different situations:

Functional resume: A functional resume places a greater emphasis on skills rather than work experience. When you have a wide range of skills but little relevant experience, this may be the best choice for you.
Chronological resume: The chronological resume format is a more traditional resume format that emphasises work experience. Using this format may be the best option for you if you have a consistent mental health work history.
Combination resume: A combination resume combines the qualities of both a chronological and functional resume by emphasising both your skills and work history while leaving little room for additional information. If you are in the middle of a career change or have a varied work history, this might be the best option for you.

2. Start with your name and contact information

At the top of your resume, include your most recent contact information, such as your name, address, phone number and professional email. This ensures that a potential employer has the correct email and phone number if they wish to contact you about scheduling an interview. When applying for jobs, it is best to include a professional email address. It is beneficial to get a professional email address before sending in your resume if you do not already have one.

3. Write a resume objective

Your resume objective is a brief statement about who you are, what you have accomplished and what you are looking for from a job or employer. You can include various aspects of your professional profile in your resume objective depending on your experience and education. This section of the resume can also include relevant skills and accomplishments.

4. Use a list to mention relevant work experience

Next, make a section for your professional work experience on your resume. Most resume formats place your most recent work experience at the top of the page so that it is easier to locate. Include information about where you worked, when you worked there, your job title and your employer's name. It is advisable to include a bulleted list of your primary responsibilities on the job.

5. Emphasise your education

Your degree can be your most valuable asset as a mental health counsellor. Demonstrating that you have the necessary education informs your potential employer that you are an ideal fit for the job. Include both your undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with the institutions where you received them in this section of your resume.

6. Consider additional information you can add

There may be additional relevant information you can include on your resume, depending on the job you are applying for. For example, you can demonstrate your volunteerism if you are applying for a position with a nonprofit organisation. If you are applying for a job working with children, you can emphasise relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to work well with children.

Resume Template For A Mental Health Counsellor

Here is a functional resume template that you can use to create a resume for a mental health counsellor:

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Your phone number]
[Your professional email]

Professional summary

[A concise summary of your work experience and accomplishments]

Skills

[Bulleted list of hard and soft skills acquired through previous work and education.]

Work experience

[Position title]
[Company or organisation name], [City, State]
[Duration of employment]

[Bulleted list of job responsibilities and accomplishments]

[Position title]
[Company or organisation name], [City, State]
[Duration of employment]

[Bulleted list of job responsibilities and accomplishments]

Education

[Degree received]
[College or university name], [City, State]
[Duration of engagement]
[GPA] (optional)

Awards and achievements

[Bulleted list of additional accomplishments such as volunteering, awards or special interests]

Example Resume For A Mental Health Counsellor

The following resume follows the functional format. This format prioritises skills over work experience and education. You can use this example to help you write your resume for a mental health counsellor:

Hema Nayak Kochi, Kerala
+91 98472 50938
hemanayak@email.com

Professional summary

A patient-focused, compassionate individual with six years of experience working with underprivileged minors and substance abuse victims. Passionate about behavioural therapy and clinical psychology and seeking to join a workplace environment where patients are prioritised.

Skills

Exceptional listening abilities
Proficient in establishing boundaries
Efficient interpersonal skills
Detail-oriented observation
Skilled in behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy techniques

Work experience

Youth behavioural health counsellor
Mayfield Youth Centre, Kochi, Kerala
May 2017 - Present

Efficiently analysed the behavioural and psycho-developmental needs of affected young individuals.
Formulated appropriate treatment plans for patients.
Educated families and guardians about effective treatments options.
Provided group counselling.
Regularly documented and maintained comprehensive case files for each minor worked with.

Substance abuse counsellor
Harsh M Foundation, Mumbai, Maharashtra
July 2015 - May 2017

Offered comprehensive counselling to families and groups.
Developed differential diagnoses of mild to moderate mental health conditions of various patients.
Directed team management for client care by arranging and assigning client cases.

Education

Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
August 2013 - May 2015
GPA: 4.8

Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology
University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
August 2009 - May 2013
GPA: 4.5

Awards and achievements

Participated in a national youth mental health advocacy project as a volunteer.
Received Annual Award for Excellence in Counselling
Received Substance Abuse Counsellor certification
Founded and directed several local youth wellness programs

Tips For Writing A Resume For A Mental Health Counsellor

While writing a resume for a mental health counsellor position, consider the following tips:

Examine the job description

Examine the job description before writing your resume. Compare your list of strengths to the key traits of your potential employer's ideal candidate. Focus on the intersection of the two when writing your resume.

Proofread your resume

A well-crafted and professional resume can help you increase your chances of getting the job. To help you catch minor errors, read your resume aloud. You can also seek help from friends or colleagues to read over your resume.

Research the organisation

You can gain a better understanding of the workplace culture and values by conducting research on your potential workplace. Knowing what a company or organisation's values allows you to determine if you share those values. You can focus on these shared values when writing your resume, or you can move on to another job opportunity if there are not many.

Place emphasis on compassion

For mental health counsellors, education and qualifications are important, but so is demonstrating your enthusiasm for the job. Show your potential employer that you enjoy assisting others and that you genuinely care about your patients and clients. In your career, emphasise the times when you used your skills to improve a patient's mental outlook.