Residential Mental Health Counselor

Description

Job Summary: The Residential Mental Health Counselor is responsible for providing direct clinical services to individuals with primary mental health disorders, including co-occurring conditions. The counselor ensures a therapeutic, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented environment for patients within the residential mental health program.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Functions as a case manager for patient caseload.
• Completes comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, risk evaluations, and individualized treatment plans.
• Provides individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based and person-centered modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT, trauma-informed approaches).
• Maintains clinical records in accordance with all licensing, regulatory, and accrediting standards.
• Conducts ongoing treatment plan reviews, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Coordinates care with internal departments, medical providers, and community resources to ensure continuity of care.
• Collaborates closely with psychiatrists, nurses, and case management staff as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team.
• Assesses suicide and self-harm risk and intervenes using crisis stabilization and de-escalation techniques.
• Facilitates psychoeducational and therapeutic groups related to emotional regulation, stress management, coping skills, and relapse prevention.
• Ensures all interventions align with trauma-informed and culturally competent practices.
• Provides aftercare planning and referral recommendations based on patient needs and treatment progress.
• Participates in clinical supervision, staff meetings and required trainings.
• Responds promptly to emergencies, behavioral incidents, and safety concerns.
• Protects patient confidentiality at all times.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or above from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychology, social work, or related human services field with a supervised clinical practicum in mental health.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychology, social work, or related human services field and one year of clinical experience in a mental health or human services agency.
• Must hold or be eligible for licensure through the PA Department of State (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or related).
• Certification or credential through the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) may be substituted or required.
• Knowledge of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and behavioral health best practices.