Substance Abuse Counselor (A.C.T.)

CounselorNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$62K - $75K

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Ask the employer about call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

Benefits

  • 401(k)
  • Company parties
  • Competitive salary
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals overcoming substance use challenges? We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate QMHP or CSAC to join our team and provide in-community support services.

  • Position: Full-Time Substance Abuse Services
  • Location: Community-based (travel within service area required)
  • Schedule: Monday through Friday 9-5

Responsibilities Include

Conducting comprehensive assessments, treatment planning, and clinical interventions for individuals struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions.

  • Delivering person-centered, evidence-based services in community and home settings.
  • Providing crisis intervention, counseling, and ongoing therapeutic support.
  • Collaborating with families, community resources, and multidisciplinary teams to support recovery goals.
  • Maintaining accurate and timely documentation in compliance with agency and regulatory standards.

Generalist Clinical Staff Duties

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to carry out rehabilitation and support functions, including skills restoration and care coordination.

Provide services within the scope of their credentialing and expertise to support the individual’s treatment plan.

Attend treatment team meetings, as available, and document all client interactions.

Maintain a working knowledge of DMAS, DBHDS, and MCO rules and regulations to ensure compliance.

Ensure all personnel documents are accurate and up to date, and promptly notify Human Resources of any changes that may affect job functions.

Qualifications

  • Must be licensed in Virginia as a LMHP, LPC-R, LCSW, LCSW-S or CSAC
  • Experience with substance abuse treatment, recovery support, and mental health services preferred.
  • Strong communication, organizational, and clinical skills.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating with a supportive team.
  • Reliable transportation for community-based service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

The counselor will conduct comprehensive assessments, develop treatment plans, and provide clinical interventions for individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. They will also deliver person-centered services in community settings while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support recovery goals.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance abuse counselingClinical assessmentCase managementEvidence-based practiceOrganizational skills

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 48% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$69k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $68k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Abuse Counselor (A.C.T.) at Estelle's Professional Community Services a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Top Counselor Jobs

32 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution32 jobs · 22 employers

7
<$75k
8
$75k-90k
4
$90k-105k
6
$105k-120k
7
$120k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks29 jobs · 22 employers

401k / retirement match
93% this job
CME allowance
28%
Sign-on bonus
21%
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
14%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#2

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

LifeStance Health · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

$115k-$120k
+ 30 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.6
Better work-life than 80% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

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

  • No weekends
  • On-site

Living in Norfolk

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$298k≈ 4.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,757/mo≈ 34% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
23 min
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Estelle's Professional Community Services logo

About Estelle's Professional Community Services

Mental Health Care
Norfolk, Virginia

Benefits & Perks

401(k)
Company parties
Competitive salary
Health insurance
Paid time off