Mental Health Counselor

About the role

The Mental Health Counselor provides comprehensive mental health services to individuals and groups within GMHC’s OMH-licensed Article 31 outpatient clinic. This role involves assessing the mental health needs of clients—many of whom are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS—and connecting them with appropriate services and resources to address their medical and psychosocial needs. As part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team, the Mental Health Counselor plays a vital role in monitoring client progress, coordinating services, and developing individualized care plans that integrate both mental health and medical care to enhance overall well-being. This position also plays a crucial role in reducing barriers to care, connecting clients with medical, mental health, and housing services, and advocating for their needs. This is an opportunity for a compassionate and motivated professional to make a meaningful impact on individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges while working in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Responsibilities

• Client Assessment & Treatment Planning
  • Clinical Interviews: Engaging clients in structured and unstructured interviews to gather information about their mental health history, current symptoms, psychosocial stressors, and overall functioning.
  • Diagnostic Evaluation: Utilizing DSM-5 criteria to assess mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions.
  • Risk Assessment: Evaluating suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, homicidal ideation, and other high-risk concerns, ensuring appropriate safety planning and crisis intervention if necessary.
  • Psychosocial Assessment: Exploring factors such as family dynamics, employment status, financial concerns, housing stability, medical history, and social support systems that may influence mental health.
  • Cognitive and Emotional Screening: Observing thought patterns, affect, behavior, and cognitive functioning to detect potential neurocognitive disorders, psychotic symptoms, or emotional dysregulation.
• Counseling & Psychotherapy Services
  • Provide individual, couples, and family counseling using evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
  • Develop and facilitate psychotherapy and/or support groups to address the mental health and wellness needs of clients.
  • Assist clients in identifying, building, and maintaining support systems, both within the agency and through external resources.
• Care Coordination & Collaboration
  • Work closely with in-house and external mental health providers to coordinate comprehensive mental health services.
  • Consult with multidisciplinary team members, including psychiatrists, primary care providers, social workers, and case managers to ensure integrated treatment planning across the continuum of care.
  • Participate in monthly case reviews and internal chart audits, providing timely feedback and updates as required.
• Crisis Intervention & Client Support
  • Provide crisis intervention services, including client assessments, brief counseling, referrals, and follow-up care as needed.
  • Ensure proper documentation and notification of crisis situations, including communication with relevant staff and supervisors.
  • Maintain an empathetic, client-centered approach to crisis situations, ensuring appropriate interventions are implemented.
• Documentation & Compliance
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all client interactions, assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes in compliance with program and regulatory standards.
  • Track and report required statistics related to counseling sessions, client outcomes, and program performance.

Requirements

• Strong clinical expertise in working with individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, mental health conditions, and substance use/misuse.
• Deep understanding of harm reduction, recovery-based models of care, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including communities of color (POC) and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Familiarity with psychiatric care, vocational training, and intensive treatment options to support holistic client well-being.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.
• Previous experience in an OMH-licensed Article 31 clinic or similar mental health setting.
• Knowledge of New York State mental health regulations and reporting requirements.
• Master's degree in social work, Mental Health Counseling, or Doctoral degree in Psychology required.
• Must have New York State licensure or permit allowing the provision of psychotherapy (e.g., LMSW, LMHC, LCSW).
• SIFI-eligible is preferred for social work candidates.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including: data tracking and analysis for case management and program reporting; creating and managing spreadsheets to monitor client progress and deliverables; using formulas, pivot tables, and data validation to ensure accuracy in documentation.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including: Outlook (email communication, scheduling, and coordination with service providers); Word (creating case notes, service plans, and official correspondence); PowerPoint (preparing presentations for internal and external stakeholders).
• Experience with electronic case management and data tracking systems, such as: eCOMPAS, AWARDS, or similar platforms for documentation and compliance reporting; data entry and management to ensure contract deliverables are accurately recorded.
• Familiarity with government benefit systems and entitlement programs, including: Social Security