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Helio Health
Utica, New York

Licensed Counselor - Forensic Mental Health Unit

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$32.5-$35/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 4m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Helio Health is on a mission to treat and promote recovery from the effects of substance use, mental health disorders, and other behavioral healthcare issues. To support the mission of Helio Health we are seeking a dedicated and passionate Licensed Counselor to work Full-Time providing counseling and therapy to patients at our Forensic Mental Health Unit at Oneida County Jail.

In addition to Helio Health’s comprehensive benefits package, Full-Time Licensed Counselors/Therapists are eligible for a Sign-On Incentive up to $4,000 - $8,000 depending upon licensure!

Pay: $32.50 - $35.00 per hour.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain a case load.
  • Perform essential counseling/therapist responsibilities including screening, intake and orientation, evaluation and intervention, treatment planning, referrals, crisis intervention, counseling, patient education, case management, reporting and record keeping.
  • Assist with the training of staff, volunteers and student interns as assigned.

Exhibit exemplary knowledge of the biopsychosocial process of substance use disorders/recovery, behavioral health, self-help group processes, and principles of counseling.

Relate effectively with staff, patients, and professional community while upholding appropriate standards of confidentiality.

Qualifications

  • Any one of the following licenses or credentials:
  • Licensed mental health practitioner (including permit eligible)Licensed social worker (including permit eligible)
  • Two years employment experience in the Human Services field.
  • An equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for the educational requirements.

Our Comprehensive Employee Benefits Package Includes

  • Health insurance including dental and vision for employees and families.
  • Paid Vacation and Sick leave - No Waiting Period for accruals.
  • Paid holidays, including a floating birthday holiday.
  • 401(k) plan with up to 5% company match.
  • Company paid short-term disability insurance.
  • Company sponsored life insurance.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Helio Health provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), parental status, religion, national origin, citizenship, status as a victim of domestic violence, age, military or veteran status, handicap or disability, family medical history or predisposing genetic characteristics or carrier status, marital status, family status, political affiliation, felony conviction record, status as a victim of a crime, or status as an employee who has complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit, or any other categories, status or activity protected by federal, state or local law.

Salary and hourly compensation ranges are provided in accordance with NYS law and are based on Helio Health's good faith belief of what is accurate at the time of posting. Salary and hourly compensation offers are based on candidate's education level and experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager and program.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use disorder treatmentBiopsychosocial assessmentIntake screeningStaff training

Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$70k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $65k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Mental Health Counseling listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 26% have no call, 58% require no weekends.

Top Counselor Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution39 jobs · 28 employers

9
<$80k
20
$80k-95k
3
$95k-110k
5
$110k-125k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks25 jobs

401k / retirement match
88% this job
CME allowance
24%
Sign-on bonus
20% this job
PSLF eligible
16%
Loan repayment
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Mental Health Therapist

Brightways Counseling Group · Portland, Oregon

$131k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Madison, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Clinical Inquiry Specialist-Genetic Counselor

$61k-$123k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
+ 37 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Counseling listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 741 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Utica

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$216k
Typical market rent
$1,404/mo
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.7
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Utica-Rome, NY metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Helio Health logo

About Helio Health

Mental Health Care
Syracuse, NY
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance including Dental and Vision
Paid Vacation and Sick Leave (No Waiting Period)
Paid Holidays including Floating Birthday Holiday
401(k) Plan with up to 5% Company Match
Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
Company Sponsored Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Sign-On Incentive up to $4,000 - $8,000