DBT Counselor
Listed compensation
$54k-$60k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Are you hoping to build a counseling career where you can provide DBT-focused mental health and substance use counseling to adolescents?
Perhaps you’re a seasoned professional seeking an organization where you can advance your career?
Are you interested in working for an innovative company who has been voted a Best Place to Work in New York State for the last 18 years?
Is it important to you to have scheduling flexibility, student loan assistance, generous paid time off, and quarterly bonus potential?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, a role at Horizon Health Services might be the perfect fit for you!
“Horizon is truly a best company to work for. Our person-centered approach allows me to be flexible with my patients, resulting in strong professional bonds that work to foster dynamic change!”
- Rachel S., LMSW, Senior Counselor II
What Will Your Day Look Like?
Our highly regarded onboarding program will offer you direct mentorship with experienced counselors, individualized training, and a team of coworkers who want to ensure your success here at Horizon! We are all about collaboration. We want to hear your thoughts, work with you as a team, and help you build confidence!
Some of the day-to-day responsibilities you will have include:
- Attending training via our new state-of-the-art learning management system where you will gain the necessary knowledge to be successful, including advanced DBT training.
- Conducting comprehensive patient assessments and developing treatment plans that identify patient needs and strengths.
- Building effective therapeutic relationships as you develop rapport and work with patients and families of diverse backgrounds.
- Participating in weekly one-on-ones with your supervisor, as well as team meetings, to discuss case presentations.
- Utilizing the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Model to help serve as a catalyst for change and improved quality of life for patients and families in our Adolescent DBT Program.
- Facilitate DBT focused individual and family sessions, Multi-family DBT skills groups, and phone coaching services.
- Participating in monthly consultation with counselors and psychiatric providers in Horizon’s Adolescent DBT Program.
- Collaborating with referral sources, school personnel, psychiatric providers, and family members to increase patient support and effective utilization of skills.
Why choose Horizon to build your counseling career?
At Horizon, we don’t just offer a workplace—we offer a community where you can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Recognized as a Best Place to Work in NYS for 18 consecutive years and one of America’s Best Workplaces, we take pride in fostering a culture where motivated teammates collaborate to make a difference, every day. Join us and experience the satisfaction of doing work that matters alongside people who share your passion!
As a counselor, we want you to feel challenged, supported, and fulfilled in your work! The work we do is not easy, but it is rewarding. We pride ourselves on our unique corporate culture of caring and respect, while also being progressive and highly spirited!
What We Offer That You Will Love
- Evidence-based clinical programming designed by leaders in the behavioral health field
- Horizon offers clinicians a Behavioral Health AI-powered platform to assist with note documentation requirements. This assist with reducing administrative burden and enhancing quality documentation/clinical outcomes.
- State-of-the-art onboarding program, complete with your own clinical attending
- Hundreds of clinical and nonclinical trainings available at our own Horizon University, 100% free!
- Reimbursement of expenses for licensure, certification, and renewal
- Career growth opportunities, including the flexibility to work in both mental health and addiction services
- Student loan assistance. This program helps pay off our team members' student loans every month. One year after joining you will have been able to pay off an extra $600!
- Quarterly bonuses with an annual earning potential of eight thousand dollars!
- Horizon employees and their families (includes spouses and children up to age
30) are eligible for a 10% discount on their tuition through a partnership with Capella University.
- Paid time off and paid holidays!
What has prepared you for this opportunity?
- Completed Master’s degree in a program that will grant licensure in the state of New York required.
- Education/Licensure/Certificates: LMSW, LMHC, etc required.
- Experience in clinical work utilizing evidence-based practices with adolescents required.
Location: The home location for this position is 699 Hertel Ave, Buffalo NY. Our Adolescent DBT Program is located at our Buffalo, Orchard Park, and Niagara Falls locations and may involve some travel between programs.
Position Hours
You’ll coordinate a personalized schedule with your supervisor that will work with your needs and the needs of our DBT program. The position does require evening hours 4 days a week.
Compensation
Horizon is consistently evaluating our compensation and benefit packages to ensure we remain competitive. The range of pay for this position is $53,888.64 - $59,723.04. Starting pay may be impacted based on experience and education.
This position includes a bonus earning opportunity, with an annual max potential of $9,000, based on volume of service visits provided and cash equivalent opt out benefits. Compensation adjustments are evaluated annually.
Physical Demands Associated with This Position Include
- Sitting for extended periods, alternating between standing and sitting
- Mobility required with repetitive wrist, hand, and finger movements
- Handling light duties, occasionally lifting objects up to 20 pounds
Horizon DEIB Statement
Horizon commits to being an anti-racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Through self-reflection and our commitments to education, growth and development, increased workplace diversity throughout all levels of our organization and the cultivation of meaningful relationships, we pledge to advance equity, racial justice, and equal opportunity for all.
Disclaimers
Horizon endorses public health measures including vaccinations. We encourage all applicants to be mindful of the fact that Horizon is a healthcare agency providing in person services throughout our community.
This information is intended to provide a general overview of the position; it is not a full job description.
Key Responsibilities
The counselor will conduct comprehensive patient assessments, develop treatment plans, and facilitate individual, family, and group DBT sessions. They will also collaborate with school personnel, psychiatric providers, and families to support patient progress and utilize clinical documentation tools.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree and possess a valid New York state license such as LMSW or LMHC. Experience in clinical work utilizing evidence-based practices with adolescents is required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
In New York, the Mental Health Counseling weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$75k (60 salary observations; 214 listings), vs ~$77k nationally (532 salary observations; 2,442 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$57k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $53k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $54k–$60k | Mental Health Counseling median $75k (middle half $69k–$84k)37 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| New York vs national | $75k median in New York | $77k nationally (−3%)60 state / 532 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$53k in purchasing power | New York index 107.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Counseling listings in New York | 84 active | 795 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 58% remote · 38% no call · 54% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | sign-on bonus · loan repayment | New York counselor listings (all specialties): 10% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 11% offer loan repayment794 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Mental Health Counseling listings | 344 in the last 30 days | 216 the 30 days before (+59%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Mental Health Counseling pay trend | −2.7% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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