Mental Health Counselor

The Mental Health Counselor provides professional therapeutic services to individuals and families across the lifespan, conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, facilitating group and individual therapy, and supporting care coordination. This role collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to support patients' mental and emotional well-being during hospitalization or treatment.

The Mental Health Counselor ensures timely documentation, patient advocacy, and adherence to regulatory and ethical standards in the delivery of behavioral health services.

Essential Functions

• Conducts psychosocial assessments for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, as well as neonatal, infant, and pediatric populations, to identify emotional, social, and behavioral health needs.
• Develops individualized treatment plans, including therapeutic goals, in collaboration with patients, families, and the clinical care team.
• Facilitates evidence-based therapeutic interventions including individual, family, and group counseling sessions.
• Assists patients and families in coping with illness, disability, grief, and other psychosocial stressors impacting care or recovery.
• Collaborates with physicians, case managers, nurses, and external providers to ensure continuity of care, appropriate discharge planning, and successful transitions across care settings.
• Leads or participates in multidisciplinary team meetings, daily care rounds, and discharge planning sessions to align mental health support with overall care goals.
• Maintains complete, accurate, and timely documentation of assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and communications in accordance with hospital and regulatory guidelines.
• Responds to mental health crises using de-escalation techniques and coordinates with appropriate clinical or security staff as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field required
• 2-4 years of experience in a behavioral health or mental health setting preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of behavioral health treatment modalities, including evidence-based therapy approaches.
• Strong communication, motivational interviewing, and interpersonal skills to effectively support patients with complex needs.
• Ability to collaborate with healthcare professionals and community partners to coordinate care and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to manage crisis situations calmly and effectively.
• Familiarity with documentation standards, treatment planning, and regulatory requirements for mental health services.
• Commitment to patient confidentiality and ethical standards of care.
• Organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Licenses and Certifications

• LMSW - Licensed Medical Social Worker - State Licensure required or
• LCSW- License Clinical Social Worker required or
• LMHC-Licensed Mental Health Counselor required or
• LPC-Licensed Professional Counselor required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support required
• SAMA course completion required

INDBH