Mental Health Technician Training Certification Program

Mental Health Technician Module 1
Mental Health Care Fundamentals

• Early Years of Mental Health Care
• Current Mental Health Care Systems
• Community Mental Health Services
• Impact of Mental Illness
• Client Populations
• Influences of Culture
• Cultural Assessment

Mental Health Technician Module 2
Mental Health Theories and Therapies

• Historical Theories
• Developmental Theories and Therapies
• Behavioral Theories and Therapies
• Humanistic Theories and Therapies
• Cognitive Theories and Therapies
• Body-Based CAM Therapies
• Energy-Based CAM Therapies
• Classification of Psychotherapeutic Drugs
• Client Care Guidelines

Mental Health Technician Module 3
The Caregiver’s Therapeutic Skills

• Principals of Mental Health Care
• Skills for Mental Health Care
• Theories and Characteristics of Communication
• Dynamics of the Therapeutic Relationship
• Characteristics of the Therapeutic Relationship
• Problems Encountered in the Therapeutic Relationship
• Goals of the Therapeutic Environment
• The Therapeutic Environment and Client Needs

Mental Health Technician Module 4
Mental Health Problems Throughout the Life Cycle  

• Normal Childhood Development
• Environmental Problems
• Emotional Problems
• Behavioral Problems
• Mental Health Problems of Adolescence
• Mental Health Problems of Adults
• Mental Health Problems of Older Adults
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Mental Health Technician Module 5
Clients with Psychological Problems Part I

• Continuum of Anxiety Responses
• Anxiety Throughout the Life Cycle
• Anxiety Disorders
• The Nature of Illness
• The Hospitalization Experience
• The Nature of Loss
• The Nature of Grief and Mourning
• The Dying Process

Mental Health Technician Module 6
Clients with Psychological Problems Part II

• Emotions Throughout the Life Cycle
• Mood Disorders
• Role of Emotions in Health
• Common Psychophysical Problems
• Eating Disorders
• Sleep-Wake Disorders
• Self-Concept Throughout the Life Cycle
• Dissociative Disorders

Mental Health Technician Module 7 
Clients with Psychosocial Problems Part I

• Theories of Anger and Aggression
• Anger-Control Disorders
• Social Factors and Violence
• Mental Health Disorders Relating to Violence
• Dynamics and Theories of Suicide
• Suicide Throughout the Life Cycle
• Categories of Abused Substances
• Characteristics of Substance Use and Abuse

Mental Health Technician Module 8
Clients with Psychosocial Problems Part II

• Sexuality Throughout the Life Cycle
• Sexual Disorders
• Personality Throughout the Life Cycle
• Theories Relating to Personality Disorders
• Psychoses Throughout the Life Cycle
• Psychotic Disorders
• Scope of Mental Illness
• Public Policy and Mental Health
• Changes in Mental Health Care