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Introduction - Mental Health
Mental Health Technician training prepares students to care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed individuals following physician instructions and hospital procedures.  Potential work opportunities include:
• Aides within inpatient/outpatient psychiatric facilities
• Day treatment centers
• Counseling centers
• Rehabilitation facilities

The mental health services program is designed to train mental health technicians and prepare individuals to meet the requirements for testing as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (L.C.D.C.).  Each program offers a practicum class which allows students to apply classroom skills in a treatment setting.

The mental health technician (psychiatric aide/technician) certificate of technology prepares students to work with disturbed individuals following physician instructions and hospital procedures. Psychiatric aides and technicians observe and record patient behavior and present findings to counselors, nurses, and other professional staff. They intervene in crisis situations, actively moderate client behavior, and assist with feeding, moving, dressing patients, personal hygiene, and activities of daily living.

The substance abuse counseling certificate of technology prepares individuals to enter the field of human services and provide specialized services to individuals and their families experiencing the effects of substance abuse.  Graduates will be able to identify appropriate assessments, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals who are, or have been, engaged in substance abuse. The program, plus 4,000 hours of work experience, provides individuals with the necessary educational and employment requirements to become eligible for testing as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (L.C.D.C.).

The combination of the certificates of technology and general education leads to an AAS degree in mental health clinical and counseling psychology.  Students who do not have an associates degree (or higher) in a behaviorally related field will not be eligible for full licensure in the State of Texas.  An associates degree (or higher) is required for full licensure.  A student can complete the certificate of technology course work, enter the workforce as a counseling intern and continue course work towards an associates degree before receiving their L.C.D.C.