Counselor I

This role is responsible for providing crisis intervention counseling, individual and group therapy, advocacy and outreach services to YWCA South Hampton Roads clients and allied professionals. Reports to the COO.

• Provide crisis intervention through individual counseling to mostly adult victims but some teenage clients as well.
• Facilitate support groups for victims of interpersonal violence working occasional evenings to accommodate client's needs.
• Provide long-term therapy to YWCA clients, maintaining appropriate client records.
• Develop and monitor service plans for program participants. Make appropriate referrals to other agencies and provide advocacy as needed.
• Respond to crisis situations involving program participants and provide accompaniment to police, hospitals, and courts.
• Serve as department staff back-up according to the weekly rotation schedule.
• Maintain client case records within electronic case management, scheduling software, and any data/grant management software as required by the agency and in accordance with ethical guidelines, policy, and procedures.
• Act as a resource person for staff. Prepare and deliver in-service programs and training for agency volunteers.
• Pursue on-going training and education regarding interpersonal violence; trauma-informed counseling techniques, community resources, and other related topics.
• Attend staff meetings and client case reviews and scheduled in-service training as assigned.
• Facilitate training and outreach education to the YWCA staff as needed as well as the community on topics related to the mission of the YWCA.
• Serve as outreach therapist/counselor to satellite offices in the designated city as appointed by the COO.
• Collect client fees and distribute to the appropriate YWCA staff member, as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Requires a Master's degree in counseling, social work or related human services field, at a minimum license eligible.
• At least one year of direct service clinical experience working with adults, working a clinical setting with clients affected by trauma is preferred.
• Must provide a copy of any certifications, credentials, Liability Insurance Coverage (if applicable) and all Graduate Level transcripts.
• Requirements
  • Must be 18 years of age
  • Must complete the training programs of YWCA SHR
  • Must complete a successful background check
• Skills and Competencies
  • Demonstrate knowledge of interpersonal violence and a strong commitment to ending violence against women, men, and children.
  • The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities and respond to participants in a professional and reassuring manner.
  • Demonstrate exemplary, effective crisis intervention and counseling skills and the ability to facilitate groups.
  • Demonstrate the ability to act as an advocate on behalf of clients with a working knowledge of legal, medical and social service systems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to function as a part of a team with co-workers.
  • Demonstrate ability to work well with people of various ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
  • It requires a willingness to work and travel alone.
  • Travel is required and access to reliable transportation is essential.