Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor is an integral member of the student success team and plays a critical role in supporting the well-being of students on campus.

The counselor provides individual, short-term counseling to students presenting with a broad range of emotional health concerns including anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, stress, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, and other concerns.

The counselor provides assessment, crisis intervention, and treatment planning, while adhering to all relevant ethical, legal, and professional standards.

In addition to fulfilling this purpose, each employee continuously strives to bring about the mission of Ensign College, which is to develop capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ.

Minimum Qualifications

A master’s degree or higher from an accredited training program in psychology, social work, clinical counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related behavioral health field. Additionally, the candidate should be licensed to practice at the independent practice level (LCSW, CMHC, LMFT, psychologist, etc.).

Demonstrated understanding of gospel principles and how they can be applied to students in an academic and student development setting.

Strong interpersonal skills along with professional judgment and clinical decision-making abilities.

Knowledge of applicable ethical, legal, and confidentiality requirements, including FERPA laws and other relevant privacy laws.

Maintain student confidentiality while collaborating with faculty, staff, parents, ecclesiastical leaders, and other professionals.

• Ability to thrive in an innovative, faith-based environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of diverse cultural differences and their effects on mental health issues and academic development.
• Utilize evidenced-based therapeutic approaches and their application to common mental health concerns.

Knowledge and experience in clinical assessment, suicide risk assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of post-licensure clinical experience.
• Experience providing counseling to college students or young adults.
• Experience developing or facilitating psychoeducational workshops or group counseling.

Essential Job Functions

Maintain a high standard of conduct that reflects the Ensign College mission, core themes, and Honor Code.

Provide individual counseling, clinical assessment, treatment planning, and referral services to students using a short-term therapy model.

Assess and respond to students experiencing mental health crises including suicide risk assessment, crisis intervention, safety planning and coordination of appropriate follow-up care.

Maintain timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation of assessments, treatment, interventions, referrals, and other clinical activities in the electronic health record.

Maintain an assigned clinical caseload expectation as established by the Counseling Center while allowing appropriate time for documentation, crisis response, consultation and other assigned responsibilities.

Develop and facilitate psychoeducational workshops addressing student mental health, emotional resilience, and wellness, as assigned.

Under the direction of the Director of Student Counseling, Wellness and Accessibility provide professional development opportunities to college faculty, and staff regarding student development, mental health, and harm reduction issues.

Under the direction of the Director of Student Counseling, Wellness and Accessibility, engage in proactive outreach to students regarding emotional resilience, student wellness, and mental health best practices.

Collaborate with Counseling Center and Accessibility Services staff and other campus departments to support student well-being and success while maintaining appropriate clinical confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Provide consultation to faculty and staff regarding student mental health concerns, appropriate referrals, and available resources, consistent with ethical and confidentiality requirements.

Participate in regular team meetings, clinical consultation, case reviews, professional development, and continuous quality improvement activities.

Serve on campus committees and workgroups as assigned.

Skills & Abilities

• Highly developed ability to verbally communicate in a clear, concise and professional manner
• Strong active listening and interpersonal communication skills
• Critical thinking and complex and sound clinical decision making
• Social perceptiveness and high emotional intelligence
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Understanding of higher education structures and student support programming
• Ability to assess and prioritize competing clinical needs and respond effectively to urgent situations
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail
• Self-motivated and able to work with appropriate independence
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively
• Ability to quickly establish and maintain interpersonal relationships
• Excellent writing ability, including editing and report writing
• Willingness to learn, receive feedback and adapt to changing student and organizational needs

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, an Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, and other standard software programs, as well as a working knowledge of office equipment.

Requirements for Employment Eligibility

• Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Worthiness to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.
• Receive clearance from the Church Educational System Ecclesiastical Clearance Office.
• Strict adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Commitment to bring about the purposes of Ensign College.
• Reside in Utah and able to work in person at our downtown Salt Lake City campus.

Ensign College is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information, or veteran's status. As an educational institution owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ensign College gives lawful hiring preference to qualified, faithful members of the Church who are in good standing.