As a young girl, Ese Moynihan-Ejaife was fascinated with learning about why people were the way they were. She remembers watching psychologist and Stanford University professor Philip Zimbardo's documentary on psychology on PBS, and making herself available to friends whenever they needed someone to listen.
"I always had a passion for wanting to figure out a way to help people learn how to suffer less," said Moynihan-Ejaife, a primary therapist II at Rochester Regional Health System's Evelyn Brandon Mental Health Clinic on Lake Avenue. "When you can understand why people act the way they act, you can build more compassion for them."
Employment of mental health counselors is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations nationwide through 2022, as more insurance policies start covering mental health counseling services. In the Finger Lakes region, that translates to an expected 25-percent increase in job opportunities, with 20 annual openings, between 2010 and 2020, according to the New York State Department of Labor.
Brighton's Moynihan-Ejaife, 34, works with clients, many of whom are low-income or underprivileged, who may be coping with depression, trying to manage psychotic symptoms, or needing someone to help them set life or career goals.
"You have to be able to tolerate hearing a lot of difficult things, but not always take it home with you," she said.
She uses a variety of therapies, including interpersonal psychotherapy, a short-term treatment (about 10 to 16 weeks) geared toward improving mood, communication patterns and emotional expression.
In addition to a bachelor's degree in psychology from Le Moyne College and a master's degree in psychology from SUNY Brockport, Moynihan-Ejaife has taken courses at St. John Fisher College and the University of Rochester to become a licensed mental health counselor. She is also licensed through New York State.
"When people learn something they didn't know before, when they realize their life can be a little more peaceful because of the skills they've learned," she explained, "that's what's most rewarding."
Mental health counselors
The job: Mental health counselors help people manage and overcome mental and emotional disorders and problems with their family and relationships. They listen to clients and ask questions to help the clients understand their problems and develop strategies to improve their lives.
The pay: The median annual pay for mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists was $41,500 in May 2012.
The prospects: Employment of mental health counselors in the Finger Lakes region is expected to grow by 25 percent between 2010 and 2020, with 20 annual openings.
The preparation: Mental health counselors typically are required to have a master's degree and a license to practice.
Sources: New York State Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor