Mental Health Counselor

Description: Mental Health Counselor

SUMMARY: The Mental Health Counselor provides outpatient individual and group counseling services to military-connected clients. This role involves assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing therapeutic intervention for military-connected clients experiencing mental health concerns. The Mental Health Counselor maintains ethical standards, accurate documentation, and collaborative communication with Team Trainers and Case Managers to ensure holistic program plans for veteran enrollees, their loved ones, and their dogs. The Mental Health Counselor reports to the Clinical Supervisor.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and differential diagnoses
• Conduct individual and group counseling
• Provide evidence-based, culturally responsive, trauma-informed care that centers clients’ intersecting identities, lived experiences, and sociocultural contexts
• Develop individualized treatment plans
• Develop and/or facilitate existing group counseling curriculums based on needs of clients
• Provide crisis assessment and intervention as needed
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation
• Monitor client progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary
• Demonstrate the therapeutic core conditions of genuineness, empathy and positive regard when interacting with clients
• Convey professional role model example for other staff through quality of own clinical practice; work habits; availing self to others as a consultant on clinical issues; attending ongoing internal and external professional development events
• Collaborate with counselors, case managers, team trainers, and community partners as appropriate to ensure continuity of care and holistic program delivery
• Work with Team Trainers as part of Veteran Service Dog (VSD) client care teams to individualize and refine program support as it relates to mental health
• Provide semi-regular education about different mental health topics for Paws and Stripes staff
• Participate in supervision and case consultation
• Adhere to ethical standards set by relevant licensing board
• Maintain client confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA regulations
• Participate in internal Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process
• Collaborate with all department directors and Executive Director to better develop mental health programs and maintain a cohesive team
• Perform other functions as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in counseling or social work
• New Mexico Licensure as LMSW, LCSW, LPCC, LMHC, LAMFT, LMFT or LPAT (Failure to obtain full licensure or loss of licensure will disqualify the person from meeting the minimum requirements)
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License
• One year of experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work as a leader and as part of a team
• Independent self-starter with positive problem-solver attitude
• Computer literate (Word, Excel), able to learn & use client care software
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, keep organized, and maintain attention to detail

Preferred:

• Experience working with military-connected personnel
• Knowledge of military culture and the unique psychosocial stressors associated with service and reintegration
• Experience treating trauma-related disorders including PTSD and complex trauma
• Experience assessing and treating suicidality
• Bilingual abilities

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a highly active environment with exposure to a wide variety of challenges, deadlines and diverse employee and client population
• Required to use personal vehicle to travel to potential dog selections, training, solicitations, or other community engagement activities
• May be required to handle dogs, with or without training, from time to time as needed
• Daily exposure to dogs in the office environment should be expected
• Position may require the occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds

Paws and Stripes is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equal employment opportunity and to compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, age (40 and over), spousal affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, National Guard membership, veteran status, uniformed service member status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), HIV status, serious medical condition, or any other considered protected by federal, state, or local law.

Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.

The physical requirements and work environment described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and is conditional pending results.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• LMSW, LISW, LPCC, LMHC, LMFT or LPAT (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $75,000