Behavioral Health Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Behavioral Health Counselor works as part of an interdisciplinary, patient-centered care team to support the overall health and well-being of patients referred for Behavioral Health services. The Behavioral Health Counselor will maintain a caseload of patients engaged in ongoing mental health services and will participate in case conferences.

The Behavioral Health Counselor provides therapeutic services to individuals (children, teens and adults) experiencing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. This role involves assessing clients' needs, developing treatment plans, and implementing evidence-based interventions to promote their overall well-being. The Behavioral Health Counselor collaborates with clients, their families, and other professionals to address various issues and facilitate positive change.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conduct Initial Assessments:

- Meet with clients to gather information about their background, concerns, and goals.

- Assess clients' mental health status, including symptoms, strengths, and risk factors.

- Identify any underlying psychological, emotional, or social issues affecting clients' well-being.

2. Develop Treatment Plans:

- Collaborate with clients to establish realistic and measurable treatment goals.

- Create individualized treatment plans based on clients' needs, preferences, and strengths.

- Incorporate evidence-based therapeutic techniques and interventions into the treatment plan.

3. Provide Counseling and Therapy:

- Conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions to address clients' emotional and behavioral challenges.

- Utilize various therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and play therapy, to facilitate positive change.

- Help clients develop coping skills, improve communication, manage stress, and enhance problem-solving abilities.

4. Monitor Progress and Adjust Treatment:

- Regularly evaluate clients' progress towards treatment goals.

- Modify treatment plans as needed to ensure effectiveness and address emerging needs.

- Collaborate with clients and their families to identify barriers to progress and develop strategies to overcome them.

5. Collaborate with Other Professionals:

- Coordinate care with other healthcare providers, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and school counselors.

- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss clients' progress and treatment plans.

- Provide consultation and support to colleagues regarding clients' mental health needs.

6. Maintain Documentation and Confidentiality:

- Document all client interactions, assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes accurately and in a timely manner.

- Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards regarding client confidentiality and privacy.

- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in the field of social work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited program. CANDDIATE MUST BE LMSW or LCSW

• Experience in providing counseling and therapy to children, teens, and adults.

• Knowledge of various therapeutic modalities and evidence-based interventions.

• Strong assessment and diagnostic skills.

• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential documentation in the Electronic Health Record (eClinical Works).

• Proficient in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Understanding of ethical and legal guidelines governing social work practice.

• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred.