Counselor I (LCDC-I) - Humble, TX

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. The organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters.

About the role

Under direct supervision, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Counselor provides support, intervention, and conflict resolution to clients undergoing substance use disorder treatment. This role encourages clients through challenging phases of recovery by facilitating basic didactic group and individual counseling sessions. The counselor also manages a caseload, maintains accurate clinical documentation, and assists with office administrative duties to support the overall treatment process. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing professional growth through clinical supervision, continuing education credits, and tuition reimbursement.

Responsibilities

• Assists with and provides basic didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to ensure peer support occurs.
• Under direct supervision, provides individual client counseling, educational programs, and lectures to address relapse prevention, problem-solving, behavior modification, anger management, etc., and to assist in overcoming substance use disorder, adjusting to pro-social life, and making cognitive and behavioral changes.
• Under direct supervision and with supervisor’s approval, carries a caseload per State and contract requirements.
• Collaborates with clients to develop discharge summaries and plans for supervisor’s approval to integrate aftercare treatment with referral resource services.
• Coordinates services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations in support of continued recovery.
• Collects and maintains treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance.
• Performs office administrative duties, such as answering telephones, relaying messages, responding to inquiries regarding program services and policies, filing, photocopying, faxing documents, planning special events, assembling intake packets, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or a related field (Bachelor’s Degree preferred).
• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern (LCDC-I) required.
• Some experience in a forensic counseling setting or with substance abuse preferred.

Skills

• Basic knowledge of the principles of human growth and psychosocial development.
• Basic knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution, and intervention techniques based on client maturation level.
• Basic understanding of mental health disorders requiring referrals.
• Basic communication skills to exchange information and interact with various internal and external audiences regarding client care.
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness.
• Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions.
• Ability to understand side effects and impact of medications on clients.
• Adaptability and flexibility: ability to shift priorities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and understand and follow written instructions.
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data.
• Ability to record, proofread, and check documents and files for accuracy.
• Ability to respond to telephones and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.
• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time to monitor and interact with clients.

Work Environment

Working with adult nonviolent clients in a controlled and structured setting for residential treatment.

Perks of working in correctional healthcare

• Opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population.
• Exposure to diverse patient demographics.
• Focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care.
• Development of skills in a unique healthcare setting.

Pay

$20.00 per hour (based on experience and credentials). Gateway Foundation conducts annual reviews including merit increases.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location

2312 Atascocita Rd. Humble, TX 77396

Benefits

Health and Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums.
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health.

Financial Wellbeing

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match.
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Flexibility and Time Off

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service.
• 9 paid company holidays.
• Work-life balance.

Personal Development

• Training & Development Programs.
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year.
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEUs and job-related training.
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance.