Students in Gallaudet's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program will become professionals who:

  1. demonstrate knowledge and skills related to counseling needs of culturally and linguistically diverse deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing, including etiology, diagnosis (including co-occurring disorders), assessment, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, and who can:
    • employ developmentally and culturally appropriate prevention and intervention techniques within an accepted theoretical framework;
    • develop effective treatment plans, manage multiple client loads, and work with managed care;
    • effectively counsel individuals, small groups, couples, and families from diverse populations; and
    • function as consultations and advocates in various mental health settings, including schools and community agencies.
  2. are able to communicate effectively with others, express themselves in writing, and can accurately interpret research and apply it to practice.
  3. show sensitivity, genuineness, and positive regard for others, practice high levels of self-awareness, and demonstrate a commitment to personal growth and on-going professional development.
  4. comprehend legal and ethical standards pertaining to mental health counselors and consistently integrate an ethical decision making model into their professional work.