The mission of the Department of Mental Health Counseling is to prepare professional mental health counselors and development/human relations specialists who can practice effectively with individuals across the lifespan.

Mental health counselors and development/human relations specialists work with individuals to help them attain their goals, make choices, and develop their potential. The master's degree program in Mental Health Counseling provides a rich background in human development, personality, counseling and psychotherapy methodologies, marriage and family systems, individual and group processes, clinical assessment, leadership, advocacy, collaboration, legal and ethical issues, and coordination skills.

In addition, the NYIT department integrates the use of technology in counselor practices so that graduates are fully able to make data-based decisions, communicate effectively, and offer individual and group counseling. Graduates are prepared to work effectively with clients from culturally diverse populations in a variety of human services and educational settings such as social services agencies, employment centers, mental health agencies, community counseling agencies, substance abuse programs, employee assistance programs and health related facilities.

The Mental Health Counseling department is aligned with the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP). The program includes supervised field experience in appropriate field settings.

The Mental Health Counseling program offers you:

• Preparation for New York State counselor licensure
• Extensive practica and internship experience (1,000 hours total)
• Innovative practices and models for effective Mental Health Counseling
• Opportunity to develop skills in counseling, leadership, social justice, teamwork, advocacy, collaboration, consultation, and use of data to inform practice
• Expertise using technology as a support, research, and management tool
• Unique cross-disciplinary approach that fosters understanding and collaboration

NYIT's Mental Health Counseling department is in the School of Health Professions.

Contact Us

Oren Shtayermman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Mental Health Counseling and Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator
Research Associate to VIP
New York Institute of Technology
School of Health Professions
Kenneth Riland - Room 348
Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000
Phone: 516.686.1084
Fax: 516.686.3850
E-mail: oshtayer@nyit.edu