College student perceptions of mental health professionals' qualifications

College students completed a questionnaire dealing with the certification requirements necessary before persons identifying themselves with various professional titles (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist) can open private mental health practices. Results indicated that few participants possessed accurate knowledge of the type and extent of certification examinations required. In addition, a majority of subjects erroneously indicated that private mental health practitioners must submit themselves for frequent reviews of their psychotherapeutic skills. These findings were seen as underscoring the need for public education regarding agents within the community offering mental health services.

Certification · Health care · Health professionals · Medical education · Mental health · Perception · Political science · Professional certification (computer technology) · Psychiatry · Counseling Practices and Supervision · Innovations in Medical Education · Medicine · Nursing · Primary Care and Health Outcomes · Psychology