The College designed the Mental Health Services programs to train mental health technicians, prevention specialists, and to prepare individuals to become substance use disorder counselors. Each program offers a practicum class that allows students to apply classroom skills in a treatment setting.
The Mental Health Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Associate of Applied Science (AAS), is a combination of the Mental Health Technician, Substance Use Disorder Counseling, and Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist certifications. The AAS ensures that you are trained on the spectrum of mental health and substance misuse from prevention to recovery!
Substance Use Disorder Counseling
Are you a compassionate, willing listener who is ready with support or a kind word during a difficult time? If so, San Jacinto College can give you the training you need to provide counseling and other specialized services to individuals and families suffering the devastating effects of substance abuse.
The San Jacinto College Substance Use Disorder Counseling program:
- Prepares students to enter the field of human services and provide specialized services to individuals and their families experiencing the effects of substance abuse;
- Teaches graduates to identify and administer appropriate assessments, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals who are, or have been, engaged in substance abuse;
- Requires an internship class where students are placed into a substance abuse facility to apply knowledge learned in the program; and
- Provides students with the necessary educational and practicum requirements toward becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC).
Chemical dependency is a problem that takes an enormous emotional and financial toll on society. This is an unfortunate issue, but the silver lining is that exceptional individuals, like you, are determined to reverse it. San Jacinto College can give you the training you need to become a vital part of the solution. We will prepare you to provide counseling and other specialized services to individuals and families suffering from the effects of substance abuse.
Once coursework is completed, students will need 4,000 hours (2 years) of supervised work experience and pass a state exam to obtain their LCDC.
Potential work opportunities
- Hospitals,
- Rehab centers,
- Outpatient clinics,
- Veteran’s affairs clinics,
- Alternative schools,
- Research facilities, and
- Pain management clinics and counseling centers.
Mental Health Technician
Are you compassionate to others’ needs? Psychiatric aides and technicians observe and record patient behavior and present their findings to counselors, nurses, and other professional staff. They intervene in crisis situations, actively moderate client behavior, and assist with feeding, moving, and dressing patients as well as personal hygiene and activities of daily living. If this sounds like you, San Jacinto College’s Mental Health Technician path is for you.
The San Jacinto College Mental Health Technician program:
- Is specifically designed to train mental health technicians, both psychiatric aides and technicians;
- Prepares students to care for mentally ill individuals following physician instructions and hospital procedures;
- Provides psychiatric aides and technicians with the skills to observe and record patient behavior and present their findings to counselors, nurses, and other professional staff; and
- Offers training to intervene in crisis situations, actively moderate client behavior, and assist with feeding, moving, and dressing patients as well as personal hygiene and activities of daily living.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of our program will be able to work in substance abuse and mental health facilities in both private and nonprofit organizations and find opportunities in:
- Hospitals,
- In-patient psychiatric hospitals,
- Out-patient hospitals,
- Veteran affairs clinics,
- Nursing homes,
- Research facilities,
- Pain management clinics,
- Drug rehab centers, and
- Counseling centers.
You can make a difference in your life by making a difference in the lives of others!
Earning Potential
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor: $52,5281
Psychiatric Technician: $38,0341 per year
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Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2022
For more information, students may contact 281-998-6350, x7146 or mentalhealthservices@sjcd.edu
Campuses
North Campus
South Campus
San Jac Online
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.
Students may view the application and information packet on the Mental Health Services website.
Plan of Study
3MH-MHAS
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PMHS 1305 | Mental Health Services Technician | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| SCWK 1303 | Ethics for Social Service Professionals | 3 |
| DAAC 1311 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Term | ||
| PSYT 2345 | Principles of Behavior Management and Modification | 3 |
| PSYT 2331 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYT 2301 | Psychology of Group Dynamics | 3 |
| DAAC 2343 | Current Issues | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer Year One Term | ||
| PMHS 2366 | Practicum-Mental Health Services Technician | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Term | ||
| MATH 1314 or MATH 1332 | College Algebra or Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) | 3 |
| DAAC 1317 | Basic Counseling Skills | 3 |
| DAAC 2306 | Substance Abuse Prevention I | 3 |
| DAAC 1304 | Pharmacology of Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| DAAC 2307 | Family Intervention with Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| DAAC 2341 | Counseling of Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| SCWK 2301 | Assessment and Case Management | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 or ENGL 2311 | Composition II or Technical and Business Writing | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer Year Two Term | ||
| DAAC 2366 | Practicum - Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Capstone Experience: PMHS 2366 Practicum-Mental Health Services Technician and DAAC 2366 Practicum - Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
Note: Students must pass each course listed in the degree or certificate for Mental Health Services with a grade of C or higher to be eligible to receive a degree or certificate.