Clinical Counselor (2026-2027)

About the role

Under limited supervision, provides intensive clinical mental health services to students requiring targeted support for emotional, behavioral, and relational issues. Coordinates within a multi-disciplinary framework to promote safe, supportive, and inclusionary environments that optimize the academic and personal success of all students across district sites. Reports to: Director of Student Support Services.

Responsibilities

• Adheres strictly to all professional, legal, and ethical standards governing mental health practice in the State of South Carolina.
• Provides intensive individual and small group counseling to students in grades PK-12 to address clinical needs including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, grief and loss, adjustment, self-image, aggression, and suicidality.
• Applies research-based, evidence-based therapeutic modalities (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, strength-based therapy, child-centered play therapy) tailored to individual student needs.
• Structures the therapeutic experience to actively build the student's inherent resourcefulness, resilience, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• Evaluates systemic and social challenges influencing student well-being, such as family dynamics, peer pressure, bullying, academic stress, socio-economic factors, and health barriers.
• Involves students and, where appropriate, family members in establishing therapeutic goals, designing treatment plans, and cultivating diagnostic insight.
• Implements a rotating counseling schedule to minimize students repeatedly missing the same core academic instruction time.
• Offers flexible or after-school hours on a structured, regular basis to facilitate family therapy sessions and parent consultations.
• Maintains active, regular communication with school-based multidisciplinary teams to ensure counseling services are seamlessly integrated into the District's broader support frameworks, such as Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
• Connects students and families to critical external resources, community mental health programs, and private practitioners when needs extend beyond the scope of district support systems.
• Coordinates closely with the designated administration regarding case management, crisis protocols, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintains timely, precise, and confidential electronic documentation, clinical case files, and tracking metrics in strict accordance with District policy, FERPA/HIPAA guidelines, and state Medicaid/Rehabilitative Behavioral Health Services (RBHS) billing standards.
• Serves as an active member of district and school-level crisis intervention and risk assessment teams, responding calmly and professionally to emergency situations.
• Interacts and communicates effectively with supervisors, district/school personnel, community agencies, medical professionals, and the general public.
• Operates standard office and technology equipment, including computer systems, specialized student databases, and word processing applications to execute administrative tasks.
• Attends required district meetings, clinical supervisions, and professional development workshops to expand job knowledge and fulfill continuing education units (CEUs) necessary for license retention.
• Performs other related clinical, professional, and administrative duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

• Requires