As a Part-Time Mental Health Counselor at Penn State University, you'll engage in providing short-term individual therapy, conducting phone triage, and urgent assessments. You are expected to offer stabilization support and follow-ups to help students navigate their mental health challenges effectively. This role allows for meaningful intervention while fostering a community that prioritizes inclusivity and support.

To apply for the Part-Time Mental Health Counselor position at Penn State, you need a master’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related discipline. Candidates must be licensed eligible as a Clinical Social Worker, Professional Counselor, or Psychologist in Pennsylvania. Those currently licensed will be preferred, ensuring that you have the required professional standing to support Penn State’s diverse student population.

As a Part-Time Mental Health Counselor at Penn State University, you will work between 16 to 24 hours per week during the academic year. This flexible schedule allows you to integrate professional work into your routine while making substantial contributions to student mental health support.

At Penn State, Part-Time Mental Health Counselors will receive supervision designed to help accrue supervised hours toward Pennsylvania licensure. This support is essential for professional development and allows for a collaborative learning environment that enhances your skills as a counselor.

The work culture for Part-Time Mental Health Counselors at Penn State University is inclusive, supportive, and collaborative. The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) emphasizes trauma-informed care and embraces diversity. Counselors participate in fostering a community where every individual feels valued and empowered to thrive academically and personally.

When answering this question, share specific experiences where you've worked with diverse populations, highlighting how these interactions have shaped your counseling style. Emphasize any specific initiatives or programs you've been a part of that aimed to support underrepresented groups, such as international or LGBTQ+ students.

Discuss your familiarity with various urgent assessment techniques, emphasizing how you quickly establish rapport with clients to assess their mental health status effectively. It's beneficial to share a framework or model that guides your assessment process while ensuring sensitivity and compassion.

In your response, illustrate how you actively create an inclusive space for your clients by utilizing culturally sensitive approaches. Offer examples of techniques or frameworks you employ to ensure that all voices are heard and valued during sessions.

Explain the principles of trauma-informed care, such as safety, trustworthiness, peer support, and empowerment. Share how you implement these principles in your practice, together with specific scenarios where trauma-informed methods improved client outcomes.

Share a specific case where you faced challenges in your counseling practice. Describe the problem, your interventions, and the eventual outcome, emphasizing lessons learned and how this experience made you a more effective counselor.

Outline the various methods you use to keep abreast of developments in the mental health field, such as attending workshops, webinars, and professional organizations. Mention any specific resources or networks that help you stay informed.

Highlight the importance of self-care and how it impacts your effectiveness as a counselor. Mention specific practices or routines you engage in to maintain your mental health, such as supervision, peer support groups, or personal therapy.

Demonstrate your awareness of crisis intervention strategies. Discuss the steps you’d take, including immediate assessment, creating a safety plan, and connecting the student to appropriate resources while maintaining a compassionate approach.

Reflect on your professional aspirations and how they align with the role at Penn State. Discuss how you plan to grow your skills, contribute to CAPS, and help advance the institution's diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Articulate your motivation for applying to Penn State specifically, linking it to their mission and values. Connect your personal and professional experiences to the role, emphasizing how the position will help you contribute to the university's mission of supporting student wellness.