SUD/MH Counselor

Addiction CounselorFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Position Summary

Substance Use Disorder/Mental Health professional will work with our Outpatient Treatment clients in a welcoming, empathic, hopeful attitude towards people with co-occurring conditions and supports a philosophy of dual recovery of addictions and mental health disorders.

Engages and welcomes clients in ways that will convey respect for diversity in a culturally appropriate way. Demonstrates high professional/ethical standards and works well with others as part of the treatment team.

Understand and provide a therapeutic trauma-informed approach by being motivating and encouraging to clients who take responsibility for their lives while in recovery.

Essential Functions

Develops a comprehensive clinical formulation based on completion and/or review of chemical dependency, bio-psychosocial, and related assessments and client’s current functioning.

Provides chemical dependency and/ or counseling (individual, family, and group), crisis intervention, and chemical dependency education.

Develops, assigns, and monitors individualized treatment and Continuing Care Plans in cooperation with a multi-disciplinary Treatment Team.

Reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders in the community by proving support for clients seeking or already in recovery.

  • Documents all clinical procedures as required.
  • Completes day-to-day services documentation as required by funders, accreditation bodies, and Community for New Direction.
  • Provides regular updates to referral sources on progress, lack of progress, attendance and treatment outcomes.
  • Educate clients to modify behaviors with the intention of full recovery to prevent relapses.

Provides mental health education groups, assessments and mental health counseling, (Individual, family and group)

Participate in staff meetings, committees, attend professional development conferences, trainings, webinars/seminars as needed to as enhance your knowledge, broaden your horizon and obtain continued education.

Performs other duties as assigned to promote the overall mission and vision of CND.

Skills and Abilities

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in human service or behavioral science with Three (3) years of experience in the field of chemical dependence or mental health treatment with CDCA, LCDC II, LPC or LSW license, or High school diploma or equivalent with LCDCII, LCDC III, or comparable license or certification with Three (3) years’ experience in the field of chemical dependency or mental health treatment.

Independent license preferred. Must be knowledgeable of substance abuse trends, 12 step support systems and ASAM criteria for treatment. For providing Mental Health services you must have a minimum of an LPC or LSW.

Utilizes trauma-informed approaches to client treatment. SUD/MH Counselors will also help clients in their recovery from substance use disorders through role modeling, and empathetic support.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

  • Knowledge of substance abuse and co-occurring disorders – characteristics, assessment, and treatment
  • Personal characteristics of maturity and professionalism with a sincere desire to work with recovering individuals
  • High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation
  • Ability to analyze, think critically, and solve problems

Excellent Interpersonal and Organizational Skills

  • Collaborate with the client to develop treatment plans, identifying and prioritizing problems, goals, and treatment methods
  • Acts as a positive role model, providing clients with guidance and support
  • Commitment to learning, creating positive change, and enabling others to learn
  • Strong verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work with diverse population
  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

Computer Skills

Proficient in use of personal computer and related software (e. g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) use of office equipment (e. g., fax, copier, printer).

Other Requirements

Must possess a valid Ohio driver's license; must pass a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Key Responsibilities

The counselor will provide individual, family, and group therapy for clients with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. They are responsible for developing comprehensive treatment plans, documenting clinical procedures, and monitoring client progress in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in human services or behavioral science with three years of experience, or a high school diploma with specific professional certifications. Required licenses include CDCA, LCDC II, LPC, or LSW, along with a valid Ohio driver's license and the ability to pass a background check.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use disorder counselingTrauma-informed careTreatment planningClinical documentationCase managementIndividual therapyFamily therapyCritical thinkingMicrosoft Office

Substance Use Disorder/Mental Health — Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Ohio is 92.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.3% of Ohio clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 10% are remote, 36% have no call, 86% require no weekends.

What does the Counselor market look like in Ohio?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed paynot listedCounselor median $58k (middle half $56k–$60k)13 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost of livingOhio index 92.8US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Counselor listings in Ohio602 active13,398 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 10% remote · 36% no call · 86% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedOhio Counselor listings: 23% state a sign-on bonus (median $4k) · 17% offer loan repayment601 active listings, Nov 2026
Counselor pay trend−1.6% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

50 jobs · 44 employers
20
<$70k
19
$70k-80k
6
$80k-90k
5
$90k-100k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

39 jobs
401k / retirement match
92%
CME allowance
54%
Loan repayment
46%
Sign-on bonus
28%
PSLF eligible
10%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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Recover Medical Group · San Diego, California

$80k-$95k
#2

Therapist (LMFT, AMFT, LCSW, ASW, APCC) Los Angeles - Mental Health and Substance Use

Life Landscaping · Hollywood, Florida

$34-$45/hr
#3

SUD Counselor / in Brighton

$41-$44/hr
#4

Substance Use Counselor

$60k-$90k
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 1.5
Below most Counseling listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 13,415 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Community for New Direction logo

About Community for New Direction

Civic and Social Organizations
Columbus, OH
11-50 employees

Living in Columbus

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$259k
Typical market rent
$1,471/mo
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
95.5
State income tax
Up to 4%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Columbus, OH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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