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AltaPointe Health
Mobile, Alabama

Therapist, Substance Use

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 1mo ago

Job Description

This Adult Outpatient Program is an outpatient substance abuse program designed for consumers who have a substance abuse diagnosis. Services include, but are not limited to, supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, systematic therapy, behavior modification, skills training, and relapse prevention.

Responsibilities

Primary Job Functions

Clinical Responsibilities

Provides and updates effective clinical assessment for the patient utilizing assessment data to support a DSM IV-TR diagnosis

Formulates Appropriate Treatment Plan Along with Patient

  • Provides individual, group, and family therapy, utilizing basic therapeutic models and theories according to patient needs as stated in the treatment plan
  • Provide HIV services including assessment, counseling, education, and testing
  • Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
  • Effectively collaborates with the treatment team and outside sources in the delivery of clinical services
  • Evaluates the patient for discharge planning
  • Adheres to professional code of ethics
  • Effectively demonstrates the application of substance abuse specific competencies

Supervision and Consultation

  • Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed.
  • Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
  • Actively works to enhance clinical skills.

Clinical Record Keeping

  • Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy.
  • Documents appropriate, complete and clinically comprehensive updates of assessments.
  • Documents in a clear and concise manner, types of patient problems, treatment goals addressed, services, and techniques used.
  • Documents measurable and specific goals in the treatment plan.
  • Documents case disposition, case closings, follow-up and referrals.
  • Documents legibly.

Case Load Management

  • Effectively manages caseload based on patient needs.
  • Meets AltaPointe productivity standards.
  • Courteous and respectful towards patients, visitors, and co-workers:
  • Treats patients with care, dignity, and compassion.
  • Respects patient’s privacy and confidentiality.
  • Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
  • Assists patients and visitors as needed.
  • Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others.
  • Is sensitive to the patient needs, expectations, and individual differences.
  • Is gentle and calm to patients and families.

Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned

  • Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
  • Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required.
  • Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
  • Complies with AltaPointe policies and procedures.
  • Attends to required in-service training and other workshops.
  • Assesses appropriate community resources according to patient needs.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in a mental health discipline. Knowledge of substance use disorder specialty and Certified in HIV Education, Counseling and Testing as outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment.

  • Knowledge of the nature of substance use disorder as a primary illness.
  • Knowledge of gender specific issues relative to substance use disorder.
  • Knowledge of Substance Use Disorder treatment principles.
  • Knowledge of twelve-step support groups such as AA, NA, CA, Celebrate Recovery, and other self-help groups.

Knowledge of the dynamics of co-dependency and other typical behaviors patterns of those in early recovery, such as denial and manipulation.

Understands the behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, on the patient and significant others.

Knowledge of helping strategies for reducing the negative effects of substance abuse and dependency and how to tailor strategies and treatment modalities to the patient based on the stages of change.

  • Knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of substance related disorders.
  • Knowledge of cultural diversity.
  • Basic knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population for referral purposes or co-occurring diagnosis treatment.
  • Knowledge of the risk for illnesses among IV drug users such as HIV/AIDS, T.B., and Hepatitis C.
  • Basic knowledge of the criminal justice system including court hearings, judges, court referral officers, probation officers if applicable.
  • Knowledge of behavior management, and crisis intervention with people living with substance use disorders.
  • Knowledge of HIV/AIDS education, counseling, and testing.

Knowledge of substance use disorder opioid and alcohol medication assisted treatment medications and their expected clinical.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Substance abuse counselingTreatment planningIndividual therapyGroup therapyHIV counselingCase managementClinical documentation

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 16% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Alabama is 88.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.3% of Alabama clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

42 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution40 jobs · 36 employers

15
<$75k
7
$75k-95k
8
$95k-115k
9
$115k-135k
1
$135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks35 jobs

401k / retirement match
91%
CME allowance
49%
Loan repayment
26%
Sign-on bonus
17%
PSLF eligible
11%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Adelphi Staffing · White Plains, New York

$65/hr
#2

Mental Health Therapist

Brightways Counseling Group · Portland, Oregon

$131k
#3

West Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor (Remote)

$60-$62/hr
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Clinical Supervisor & Therapist

+ 40 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 1.5
Below most Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,008 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Mobile

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$193k
Typical market rent
$1,280/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
88.1
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Mobile, AL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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