Careers in Mental and Behavioral Health

Learn about the many pathways to entering the mental and behavioral health professions. This is the second class in a 3-part series taught by Dr. O'Connell from UW.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health counselor or certified peer specialist? There are many pathways to entering the mental and behavioral health profession from brief certificate programs to bachelor's degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. The behavioral health career ladder will be presented along with the key contributions of distinct roles in helping members of the local community cope with temporary or persistent mental health conditions.

Activities: Career game. Optional: mobile device anonymous survey.

This program is the third in a three part series at the South Hill Library. Whole Person Health and Illness Prevention is taking place on May 15 at 5:30pm. Symptoms of Mental Illness and Options for Care is taking place on May 22 at 5:30pm.

Dr. Bill O’Connell is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington, a National Certified Counselor, and an associate professor with the University of Washington School of Medicine. He has been practicing counseling since 1988 across a variety of settings including hospitals, community behavioral health, school based mental health, integrated primary care and private practice. Dr. O’Connell earned his doctoral degree from the University of Cincinnati in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in behavioral medicine. He had faculty and administrative appointments at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, in the graduate counseling programs. Dr. O’Connell lives in Spokane and directs the behavioral health support specialist workforce development project, a statewide effort to educate and train bachelor level clinicians in Washington State. Dr. O’Connell has had a lifelong interest in promoting and supporting public libraries. He currently serves on the faculty advisor council for UW libraries.

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We strive to make events welcoming for people of all abilities. To request accommodations (i.e. hearing assistance, ASL requests, or other ADA inquiries), email sday@spokanelibrary.org.

For all event information inquiries, email telref@spokanelibrary.org or call 509-444-5300.

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