Director of Counseling

Provides strategic leadership for the School's counseling program while supporting the emotional wellbeing of students individually and collectively within a residential community. The role includes direct clinical services, oversight of counseling coordination, crisis response, referral processes, and mental health programming. Collaborates with the School Counselor, Health Center staff, Academic Office, Deans' Office, and other campus partners to ensure a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate continuum of care for students.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counseling services to students through scheduled appointments and drop-in support, and make referrals to outside providers or community resources as appropriate.
• Provide clinical leadership for the Counseling Office, helping to establish best practices, coordinate services, and ensure continuity of care for students.
• Coordinate and conduct student mental health assessments, crisis response, safety planning, and ongoing support services.
• Maintain timely and appropriate communication with members of the Counseling Office, Deans' Office, Academic Office, Health Center, and Head of School's Office to support student wellbeing while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Coordinate and oversee the student counseling referral process, including communication with families and external providers as appropriate.
• Supervise and oversee the School Counselor providing clinical guidance and direction as needed.
• Collaborate closely with the School Counselor to coordinate student care, balance caseloads, and ensure consistent delivery of counseling services.
• Serve as the primary mental health consultant for faculty and staff, providing guidance to advisors, dorm parents, teachers, coaches, and administrators regarding student mental health concerns.
• Develop and amend Tabor Academy Counseling Services policies and protocols in accordance with school policies, Tabor’s mission, and best clinical practices.
• Direct, participate in, and support the Peer Listening Program.
• Serve as a member of the Health Committee and collaborate on initiatives that promote student health and wellbeing.
• Direct and assist in coordinating student medical and mental health leaves, including planning for students' return to campus.
• Collaborate with the Director of Student Wellbeing in addition to the Director of Health Services and other school partners to develop and deliver health and wellness education programming for students.
• Oversee the mental health component of health and wellness education programming.
• Build positive relationships with students by maintaining an active presence in the daily life of the school, including participation in campus events and community activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community mental health providers and referral resources.
• Monitor trends in student mental health and recommend programmatic improvements, prevention initiatives, and wellness strategies.
• Engage in ongoing professional development by attending and, when appropriate, presenting at regional and national conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Counseling Office and the School.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in counseling, social work, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in individual counseling or acute crisis services.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (LICSW, LMHC, or equivalent).
• Experience working with adolescents and within a boarding school environment is strongly preferred.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, active listening, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and experience working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Knowledge of current research, best practices, and trends related to adolescent mental health, development, and behavior.
• Ability to provide clinical leadership, facilitate collaboration, and guide campus-wide responses to student mental health concerns.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with adolescents while demonstrating patience, empathy, sound judgment, boundaries, and professionalism.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues across academic, residential, health, and administrative departments.
• Commitment to supporting Tabor Academy's mission and contributing positively to the life of the school community.
• Willingness to engage meaningfully in campus life to foster strong relationships with students and a deep understanding of the community.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, adaptability, and a commitment to ongoing professional learning and development.

Schedule

Full-time, exempt, salaried staff position following the academic year schedule. Includes on-call responsibilities approximately two weekdays per week and every other weekend for urgent student support needs outside of regular business hours. Vacation time typically scheduled during the summer recess and school breaks.

Pay

$90,000 - $115,000 per year.