Questionnaires
1. Tell us about your interest in becoming a clinical mental health counselor by addressing the following;
a. When did you first start thinking about becoming a counselor?
b. With whom have you discussed this and what were their reactions?
c. What personal experiences motivate you to want to help people?
d. What client situations would you struggle to work with and why?
2. Imagine that you have been admitted into the Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) program and are now a student in an internship. WE all have reactions to certain types of clients based on our own values and lived experiences. Below is a list of situations. Please identify one situation that would challenge you the most and one situation that would challenge you the least.
#1 Most Challenging situation: A terminally ill client desires to end their life.
In your response, please indicate:
a. Why this situation would/would not challenge you.
b. Your internal, emotional reaction. Please be specific about your thoughts and feelings in your response.
#2 Least Challenging situation: You notice your client has a tattoo of a swastika on their arm.
In your response, please indicate:
c. Why this situation would/would not challenge you.
d. Your internal, emotional reaction. Please be specific about your thoughts and feelings in your response.
3. Describe a time when you were able to appreciate another person’s point of view even if you did not agree with the person. In your response phrase address the flowing listed below;
a. Identify what the other person’s perspective was.
b. Identify what you were able to appreciate in that person’s perspective, not that you could “agree to disagree”.
c. Identify what you learned from the other person’s perspective.
4. Openness to feedback from instructors is an essential component of growth during a graduate counseling program.
Address below please;
a. Describe a time when you received feedback that was difficult for you to hear.
b. What were your initial reactions?
c. How were you able to work through those initial reactions in order to act upon the feedback given?
d. What was the outcome?
5. Completing a master’s degree requires a serious commitment in terms of time and personal resources.
Describe your plans to accommodate each of the following requirements. Include specifics such as whether you have sufficient family support, work flexibility, etc.
a. Successful completion of courses in the counseling program requires a minimum of 10 to 15 hours of coursework per week, per course. Please describe how you plan to fit your coursework into your weekly schedule.
b. You will be required to attend two in-person residencies in New Hampshire (one in your second term and one in the term before your start your practicum course). Please describe your plans to make adjustments in your life to accommodate these week-long experiences that involve all-day sessions and evening events. (keep in mind that even if you live in or near southern New Hampshire, commuting to the evening events. (Keep in that even if you live in or near southern New Hampshire, commuting to the event is not practical and it is strongly recommended that you plan to stay at the hotel.)
c. Finally, you will be required to complete 700 to 1000 hours of clinical practice as part of your field experience once you’ve completed the coursework (total hours may vary by state). This will require you to be physically present at a clinical site between 20 to 30 hours per week for at least 99 to 12 months. Please describe the change you may need to make in your life, and the resources you have that will allow you to make this time commitment.
d. Have you previously attended a graduate program for clinical mental health counseling or a related degree? If so, why are you considering the CMHC program? How do you think this degree program will differ from your previous program?
6. What other information do you believe would be useful for us to know as we consider your application to our program?