Lead Counselor - Addiction Recovery
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Lead Counselor - Addiction Recovery | Northern Path Recovery Center | Fort Wayne, Indiana
About the Job
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
The Lead Counselor provides treatment, counseling, and support to assist clients in their recovery from addictions, such as alcoholism, drug addiction, or mental health disorders, assists with modifying problem behaviors; may also provide counseling services to families of clients. The Lead Counselor provides guidance, training and support for appropriate clinical services provision to others within the facility, at the direction of the Director.
Roles and Responsibilities
- EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
- Master’s degree in social services, addictions, mental health or closely related health services field with 2+ years of post-Master’s degree professional experience in the addictions, therapy or counseling field required
- Degree must be from an accredited college or university.
Licenses/Designations/Certifications
Must have current and valid licensure or certification (excluding a ‘supervisee’, ‘temporary’, 'in-training', ‘provisional’, or similarly titled designation) as a social worker, professional counselor, therapist or addiction counselor per state agency.
Licensure status per state agency regulations that allows for supervision of other entry level clinicians is preferred.
- CPR certification and de-escalation training required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
- First aid may be required based on state or facility.
WORK LOCATION: This position is onsite and is not a remote position.
Supervisory Requirements
This position is an Individual Contributor. Prior experience in a supervisory capacity not required.
Essential Functions
Responsible for conducting client assessments focused on identifying client history, current presentation, problem areas, ongoing clinical need for treatment and risk assessment.
Responsible for conducting ongoing assessments of chemical dependence services required by the treatment program.
Prepares and carries out client initial treatment planning and treatment plan progress reviews as assigned and documents as required.
Leads assigned group counseling, individual or family sessions and implements evidence-supported treatment modalities as assigned and documents as required.
- Provides client and family education relative to substance abuse/psychiatric problems.
- Ensures all documentation regarding client care, treatment and incidents is completed timely and in a clear, concise manner.
- Provides crisis intervention and counseling to clients, as needed.
- Plans for and completes required documentation of aftercare for assigned clients.
- Acts as a liaison with insurance carriers, as requested.
- Acts as a liaison between referral sources and clients.
- Provides case management duties for clients, ensuring individualized quality care.
- Conducts educational workshops both within the Hospital and in the community as required.
- Serves as a liaison with self-help groups and EAP professionals.
- Evaluates the needs of the client to determine the appropriate level of care and determines if referrals to other programs or facilities is needed.
- May assist in educating and training staff on therapeutic interventions.
- May assist in the training of new clinical staff members.
May guide the activities of other clinical and direct client care staff, providing direction and clinical recommendations.
Why Northern Path Recovery Center? Northern Path Recovery Center offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. Northern Path Recovery Center is an EOE.
Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply. Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.
Key Responsibilities
The Lead Counselor conducts client assessments, develops treatment plans, and facilitates group, individual, and family counseling sessions. They also provide clinical guidance to staff, manage client cases, and ensure all documentation meets facility standards.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a social services or mental health field and possess at least two years of post-Master’s professional experience. A valid state licensure or certification as a counselor or social worker is required, along with CPR and de-escalation training.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 32% have no call, 64% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Indiana is 93.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.4% of Indiana clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | not listed | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $95k (middle half $85k–$118k)214 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost of living | Indiana index 93.3 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings in Indiana | 212 active | 13,392 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 48% remote · 32% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Indiana Counselor listings: 18% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 24% offer loan repayment212 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 438 in the last 30 days | 267 the 30 days before (+64%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Lead Counselor - Addiction Recovery at Summit BHC a 6.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Addiction Medicine counselor listings evaluated on our platform.
Top Counselor Jobs
36 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
33 jobs · 28 employersAnnual compensation range
Benefits & Perks
27 jobsShare of similar jobs offering each benefit
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
LifeStance Health · Lake Oswego, Oregon
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon
Remote Licensed Mental Health Therapist
$66/hrRemote Licensed Professional Therapist
$66/hr