This document discusses three mental health disciplines - the American Counseling Association, National Association of Social Workers, and International Association of Counselors and Therapists. It then provides expert opinions on the roles of social workers and therapists/counselors in a community setting. The expert views social work and counseling/therapy as excellent career options for community psychological work. Social workers can benefit from the NASW to share treatment methods between cultures. The IACT also allows therapists and counselors to network internationally and learn about treating different cultures.

1. Victoria Stokes
PSY 496: Applied Projects
Instructor Fuentes
Week 5: Final Project
May 18, 2015
EXPERT OPINION
ON SUICIDE

2. Mental Health Disciplines
The three mental health related discipline:
 American Counseling Association-
(http:www.counseling.org)
 National Association of Social Workers-
(http:wwwnaswdc.org)
 International Association of Counselors and Therapist-
(http:www.iact.org)

3. American Counseling Association-
 The America Counseling Association in respects to
treatment for depression offer not only professional but
educational resources that continue to teach and promote
growth for those professionals in the health care
profession to better understand what are considered the
best treatments in advancing treatment for depression.

4. National Association of Social Workers
 It is through this organization that social workers have the ability to gain
understanding from a national level on various techniques that could
possibly work in treating depression. This association is a organization were
social workers on a national basis can come together and advance and
grow as well in the healthcare profession. This organization ensures the
accountability of proper practice and standards as relevant to the field of
social work. A great organization to network with others in the field on
treatment for depression.

5. International Association of Counselors
and Therapist
 This is another excellent organization that could provide such great
treatment insight for depression as these are professionals who
work hard to find advancements in treatment of depression. Also it
is an organization on an international level in were these health care
professionals can exchange ideas,techniques,as well as their
practices with their counterparts as a means of finding treatments
for depression

6. Expert Opinion “Social Worker”
 In looking at psychological career alternatives in a community setting the first role would
be to look at that of a social worker. The ability to link up with other organizations such as
the National Association of Social Workers is such an excellent opportunity to look at
various treatment method in a community setting that may be none traditional but may be
more effective. This association allows social workers from all over the world to interact
and exchange methodologies on treatment methods. There may be treatment methods that
work in other cultures that may not yet have been implemented in its neighboring
countries that have been tried and tested and shown to be effective as it relates to
treatment options in relations to mental illness. This is also an opportunity for social
workers to implement various methodologies of problem solving through simply network
and sharing one another’s insight. The ability to bring these methodologies and techniques
in a community style setting would be such a great asset and contribution to the field of
psychology. In respects to the overall expectation of social workers in a community
setting Maton (2008) states,” To generate the proposed pathways and processes, a broad
range of studies of community settings were reviewed, in the domains of adult well-being,
positive youth development, locality development, and social change (Matron, 2008. Para
1).

7. Expert Opinion: “Therapist/Counselor
 In looking at psychological career alternatives in a community setting the next role would
be to look at that of a therapist/ counselor. A great organization that has paved the way for
networking and being able to share various treatment methods as well as exchange ideas is
the International Association of Counselors and Therapist. Whether you are a beginner or
been in the field for a long period of time there is someone there on all levels of education
and experience who give helpful insight on various subjects such as treatment methods
and various methods of therapy depending upon the needs of the patient. This is such a
great asset to new and upcoming therapist and counselors in the field of psychology. As
well this is a great asset when looking at counselors and therapist in a community style,
the diversity of interacting with various cultures and understanding how to communicate
and interact with various culture is a vital part of linking with other organizations such as
International Association of Counselors and Therapist, because there are members from
all over the world who can give helpful information. According to the International
Association of Counselor Therapist (2015) states, “The International Association of
Counselors and Therapist is a premier association for holistic practioners that provides a
forum where members may exchange ideas, information, techniques, and methodologies
(International Association of Counselors and Therapist, 2015).

8. References
n/a. (2015). The Premiere Association for Holistic Practioners.
Laceyville, PA: International Association of Counselors Therapist.
Retrieved from http://www.iact.org.
Matron, K. (2008). Empowering Community Settings Agents of Individualized
Development Community Betterment and Positive Social Change.
American Journal of Psychology vol 41 (2). Pp.4-21
Retrieved from http://www. ink.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10464-007-
9148-6#page-1