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Outreach Development
Brentwood, New York

Primary Counselor

CounselorNo callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$55k-$70k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Position: Primary Counselor

The Primary Counselor is responsible for the delivery and implementation of long term supervision, support and clinical services to a population of chemically dependent adolescents with co-occurring and mental health problems. The Primary Counselor serves as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.

Job Scope

  • Provides weekly caseload group sessions to assist residents in developing and obtaining goals, including those noted in the treatment plan.
  • Provides bi-weekly individual counseling session to assist resident in developing and obtaining goals, including those noted in the treatment plan.
  • Initial and ongoing screening of resident and resident property in accordance with unit procedure.
  • Document and chart all aspects of resident progress through the use of plans, progress notes and other agency forms and tools.
  • Document, facilitate and supervise daily group formats.
  • Supervise clients in self-medication (under supervision).
  • Participate in both individual and group supervision.
  • Communicate all pertinent information, incidents and emergencies using the appropriate system including the SAC communication log, incident reports and 24 hour on-call supervisor.
  • Provide crisis interventions and follow up including documentation of the incident, accident and/or elopement reports.
  • Overall supervision and management of client population in the facilitation of the daily house schedule.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Supervised by: Program Director

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree required; LMSW, LCSW, LMHC or higher preferred.
  • 2-3 years of experience with substance abuse disorders
  • 1-2 years of experience working with adolescents with co-occurring and mental health problems
  • 1-2 years of experience working in in an OASAS funded facility a plus
  • Commitment to providing quality services and outcome driven performance measures.
  • Excellent organizational management skills with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance clinicians, set and achieve program objectives.
  • Strong networking and public relations skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, populations, and cultures.
  • Action-oriented, adaptable, and innovative approach to program planning.
  • Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.

Key Responsibilities

The Primary Counselor delivers clinical services, including individual and group counseling, to adolescents with substance abuse and mental health issues. They are responsible for maintaining treatment plans, documenting resident progress, and managing daily house operations.

Licensure & Certifications

Candidates must hold an advanced degree, with LMSW, LCSW, or LMHC credentials preferred. The role requires 2-3 years of experience in substance abuse and 1-2 years of experience working with adolescents in a clinical setting.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance Abuse CounselingCrisis InterventionCase ManagementTreatment PlanningGroup FacilitationMental Health SupportAdolescent CareInterdisciplinary CollaborationStaff Coaching

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 36% are remote, 40% have no call, 54% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$63k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $58k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Addiction Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.8% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Primary Counselor at Outreach Development a 6.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Addiction Medicine (Counseling) — ranked against 1,306 active Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.

Top Counselor Jobs

47 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution47 jobs · 38 employers

15
<$80k
20
$80k-95k
6
$95k-110k
6
$110k-125k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks30 jobs

401k / retirement match
93%
Sign-on bonus
33%
CME allowance
20%
Relocation assistance
7%
PSLF eligible
7%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

Gotham Enterprises · Boulder City, Nevada

$115k-$120k
#2

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Gotham Enterprises · Warren, Michigan

$115k-$120k
#3

NY Licensed DBT Therapist - DBT Master’s or Doctoral - Telehealth - Full-Time

$93k-$120k
#4

Psychotherapist | Integrated Behavioral Health | Sauk Centre

$78k-$119k
+ 45 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 6.1
Better work-life than 50% of Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,306 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No call

Living in Brentwood

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$621k≈ 11.3× annual pay
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026).

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

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About Outreach Development

Non-profit Organizations
Richmond Hill, NY
51-200 employees