Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Listed compensation
$57k-$60k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Signing bonus
Job Overview
We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Counselor to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in mental health and behavioral health services, providing support to individuals and families facing various challenges.
This role requires expertise in psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and group therapy, along with a commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. The Counselor will work collaboratively with clients to develop treatment plans that address their unique needs and goals.
Duties
Complete intake screenings and assessments to determine the appropriate level of care and provide referrals for health and human services agencies as needed.
- Work with clients to help them identify triggers for relapse and develop skills to avoid relapse.
- Use a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to support clients in their treatment and recovery
- Provide individual counseling, lead workshops, and facilitate group sessions.
- Develop long-term therapeutic relationships with clients.
- Monitor client access to and involvement with treatment and other providers to help address barriers to treatment and the recovery process.
- Maintain up-to-date and complete clinical records, therapy notes, and treatment plans
Requirements
Licensed: Must have one of the following certifications or licenses – CSC-AD (Certified Supervised Counselor Alcohol and Drug), CAC-AD (Certified Associate Counselor – Alcohol and Drug), LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
Clinically Diverse: Familiarity with strengths based and trauma informed approaches, CBT, DBT and motivational therapies is preferred.
Dependable: Submits accurate notes in a timely fashion. Follows through on commitments. Arrives at work on time.
Computer Skills: Must be familiar with basic MS Office programs and able to submit and maintain electronic notes.
$500 sign on bonus will be offered after 60 days.
Benefits
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
License/Certification
- CAC (Required)
- CSC (Required)
- LCADC (Required)
- Work Location: In person
Key Responsibilities
The counselor will conduct intake screenings, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide both individual and group therapy sessions. They are also responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records and monitoring client progress throughout the recovery process.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Counseling — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 28% have no call, 66% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$59k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $56k in an average-cost state. 62.9% of Maryland clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $57k–$60k | Counselor median $64k (middle half $59k–$67k)14 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$56k in purchasing power | Maryland index 105.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Counselor listings in Maryland | 392 active | 13,723 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 68% remote · 28% no call · 66% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | sign-on bonus | Maryland Counselor listings: 13% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 9% offer loan repayment392 active listings, Oct 2026 |
| Counselor pay trend | +3.4% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
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