Mental Health Counselor job description

Job brief

We are seeking a compassionate and clinically skilled Mental Health Counselor to join our outpatient behavioral health team. In this role, you will manage a dedicated caseload, provide high-quality therapeutic care, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic patient treatment. You will play a vital role in de-stigmatizing mental health while helping patients navigate complex emotional landscapes and achieve meaningful personal growth. If you are passionate about evidence-based practice and patient-centered care, we invite you to help us make a lasting impact on our community’s well-being.

What is a Mental Health Counselor?

A Mental Health Counselor is a licensed clinical professional dedicated to diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in diverse patient populations. These practitioners utilize evidence-based psychotherapeutic modalities—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or EMDR—to facilitate patient recovery and emotional stability. By maintaining rigorous clinical standards and ethical compliance, a Mental Health Counselor provides the essential interventions required to improve long-term mental health outcomes within healthcare systems.

What does a Mental Health Counselor do?

A Mental Health Counselor conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to develop individualized treatment plans and facilitate evidence-based therapy sessions for individuals, couples, or groups. Daily responsibilities include documenting patient progress in Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, managing crisis interventions, and coordinating care with psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and social workers. They track patient recovery metrics, adjust therapeutic approaches based on clinical progress, and ensure all services align with state licensing regulations and HIPAA privacy mandates.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive mental health diagnostic assessments to identify patient needs and formulate personalized, evidence-based treatment plans for diverse clinical populations.
• Facilitate individual and group therapy sessions using modalities like CBT, ACT, or DBT to support patients in managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma.
• Maintain meticulous clinical documentation in Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, ensuring all records meet insurance requirements and HIPAA compliance standards.
• Perform risk assessments and execute crisis intervention protocols for patients demonstrating acute psychiatric distress or potential self-harm indicators.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, primary care providers, and case managers to coordinate patient care and optimize medication management outcomes.
• Educate patients and their families about mental health disorders, coping mechanisms, and available community resources to support long-term stabilization.
• Participate in weekly clinical supervision and interdisciplinary case conferences to review patient progress and refine therapeutic treatment strategies.
• Monitor clinical outcomes using standardized assessment tools like the PHQ-9 or GAD-7 to track patient improvement and inform ongoing care adjustments.

Requirements and skills

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work from an accredited university program.
• Active clinical licensure (LPC, LMHC, LCSW, or equivalent) in the state of practice with no disciplinary history.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying therapeutic techniques like CBT, DBT, or trauma-informed care within a clinical or hospital setting.
• Proficiency in utilizing Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms such as Epic, Cerner, or SimplePractice for clinical charting.
• Deep understanding of the DSM-5 criteria for accurate diagnostic formulation and clinical coding requirements.
• Strong ability to translate complex clinical information into clear, actionable treatment goals for patients and healthcare stakeholders.
• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) or Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) for managing high-acuity behavioral health situations.
• Proven track record of maintaining strict patient confidentiality and adhering to ethical standards mandated by the APA or ACA.

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