Behavioral Health Counselor MS Licensed

Position Overview

The counselor provides ongoing individual, group, and family therapy within the behavioral health setting. This role focuses on facilitating patient involvement in treatment, discharge planning, and resource referral, supporting long-term therapeutic relationships. The position emphasizes collaboration with the healthcare team, crisis intervention, and addressing complex psychosocial needs, including working with protective services and managing high-risk situations. It is a resource referral role, not a practice model or case management.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Facilitate patient participation in treatment and educational activities.
• Carry out individual, group, and family counseling to support emotional and behavioral health.
• Perform functions related to utilization review and discharge planning.
• Collaborate with healthcare team members to ensure effective care and resource coordination.
• Interpret and communicate complex patient and family needs, modeling caring and professionalism.
• Assess psychosocial risk factors based on prior functioning, support systems, reactions to illness, and coping skills.
• Counsel patients and families on emotional, social, and financial impacts of illness or disability.
• Access and mobilize community and family resources to meet patient needs.
• Conduct mental health assessments upon physician referral and provide therapeutic interventions.
• Serve as a point person for cases involving child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence, coordinating with protective agencies.
• Conduct mental health assessments upon physician referral and provide therapeutic interventions.
• Deliver specialized mental health services, including crisis intervention, addiction assessments, and psychiatric recommendations.
• Support safety during dangerous or potentially violent situations, utilizing de-escalation techniques.
• Ensure a safe, therapeutic environment, including instruction of daily activities and programming.
• Maintain accurate documentation in electronic medical records and MS Office applications.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community partners, law enforcement, schools, and agencies.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college/university in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience.
• Current licensure in Indiana as an LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT.
• Certification in crisis intervention (may be required).
• BLS certification (may be required).
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices such as CBT, MI, and DBT.
• Understanding of disease processes, human behavior, and legal mandates related to protective services.
• Ability to provide a safe, therapeutic environment and instruct patients in daily activities.
• Proficiency in Electronic Medical Records and MS Office.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships with community agencies, medical teams, law enforcement, and protective services.