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Naphcare
Montgomery, Alabama

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

CounselorFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

NaphCare is seeking to hire an experienced Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LCSW, LCMHC, etc.) to join our team of medical professionals in the Montgomery Work Release in Montgomery, AL.

As a Correctional Licensed Mental Health Counselor, you will work alongside correctional officers and other medical professionals to provide counseling and mental health care to the individuals in residence.

Working within a controlled environment, where security is top priority and the days are never dull, you will have various duties to keep you engaged. This is a unique position where you can make a difference to this diverse population of patients with complex mental health and medical needs.

Responsibilities

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients in residence with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and behavioral issues ensuring they receive quality care that protects their rights, dignity and health. Duties and responsibilities may include and are not limited to:

Collaborating with medical, mental health and correctional staff to enhance quality patient care while maintaining a safe and secure work environment

Performing and documenting mental health evaluations, progress notes, individual and group counseling notes, individual treatment plans, addressing criminogenic needs and promoting positive behavioral change to prepare residents for release

Participating in educational and training activities related to mental health care for patients, security personnel, and healthcare staff

Demonstrate Knowledge of DSM-V / DSM-V-TR Criteria

Documenting and managing case files, patient progress, preparing reports, and participating in hearings

Initiating and/or participating in patient education and treatment programs, such as developing educational materials and providing group therapy

Monitoring compliance with site-specific and company policies and procedures, taking appropriate corrective action, and ensuring compliance with ACA, NCCHC standards

Qualifications

Experience / Skills / Requirements

  • Master's prepared Mental Health Professional with active, unrestricted licensure as a (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT, LMHP, LISW, etc.) in AL.
  • Must possess an active BLS CPR Certification (AHA required)
  • Must pass the facility’s criminal background check and drug screening

A minimum of 3 years’ clinical experience in a mental health care or acute care setting, with correctional healthcare experience preferred

Must have knowledge and experience in the identification and treatment of mental health and co-occurring substance abuse disorders, discharge planning, principles of social work, basic principles of individual and group behavior, and a working knowledge of psychotropic medications

Correctional counselors must be able to remain calm under pressure while assess patients’ situations, underlying causes of their behavior and be able to develop interventions and treatment plans

Effective communications skills are required for building patient rapport and relaying information and treatment plan with other medical and mental health care professionals

Strong organizational skills are needed to keep track of patient treatment plans and progress notes

Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality of all proprietary and/or confidential information and integrity, professionalism and ability to adhere to a Code of Conduct and comply with all facility(s) correctional healthcare policies, procedures, and legal requirements

Must pass the facility’s criminal background check and drug screening

Physical Capabilities

Must have the ability to stand for long periods, lift and move patients (up to 50 pounds), bend, squat, reach, push, pull, walk significant distances, and perform physically demanding tasks like CPR, all while maintaining good balance and endurance throughout a shift.

Why Join NaphCare?

NaphCare is one of the largest providers of healthcare services to correctional facilities throughout the US, and we are growing. If you have never considered a career in correctional healthcare, now may be the time. In addition to competitive salaries and generous employee benefits, we strongly support career advancement within the company.

NaphCare Benefits for Full-Time Employees Include

  • Health, dental & vision insurance that starts day one!
  • Prescriptions free of charge through our health plan, beginning day one
  • Lowest Cost Benefits!
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
  • 401K and Roth with company contribution that starts day one!
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Referral bonuses
  • Term life insurance at no cost to the employee
  • Generous paid time off & paid holidays

Free Continuing Education and CMEs

  • Want a better idea of what it’s like to work in a jail? See what our MHPs do:
  • NaphCare - Life as a Mental Health Professional - YouTube
  • If you would like to speak with me to learn more about this position and NaphCare, apply directly to the position to initiate the application process, and I’ll be in touch.
  • Equal Opportunity Employer: disability/veteran
  • Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Advancing Correctional Healthcare | NaphCare

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mental health counselingClinical assessmentDiagnosisTreatment planningCrisis interventionSubstance abuse counselingIndividual therapyCase managementDocumentationCommunicationDSM-V criteria

Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Alabama is 88.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.3% of Alabama clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Mental Health Counseling listings this role was benchmarked against, 60% are remote, 18% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

What does the Mental Health Counseling market look like in Alabama?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost of livingAlabama index 88.8US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Counseling listings in Alabama9 active786 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 60% remote · 18% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Mental Health Counseling pay trend+18.1% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

41 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

38 jobs · 32 employers
15
<$85k
5
$85k-110k
8
$110k-135k
10
$135k-160k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

31 jobs
401k / retirement match
81% this job
CME allowance
42% this job
Sign-on bonus
26%
Loan repayment
10%
PSLF eligible
10%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Mental Health Therapist, Contractor - WI / (Remote)Contract

Cartwheel · Remote - Nationwide

$65-$75/hr
#2

Mental Health Therapist, Contractor - IN / (Remote)Contract

Cartwheel · Remote - Nationwide

$65-$75/hr
#3

Dental Therapist

From $155k
#4

Florida-Licensed Couples & Individual Therapist (Remote, Contract)

$70 - $80/session
+ 39 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.7this job 3.0
Below most Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 209 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Naphcare logo

About Naphcare

Hospitals and Health Care
Birmingham, AL
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health, dental & vision insurance starting day one
Prescriptions free of charge through health plan
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
401K and Roth with company contribution starting day one
Tuition Assistance
Referral bonuses
Term life insurance at no cost
Generous paid time off & paid holidays

Living in Montgomery

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$157k
Typical market rent
$1,338/mo
Residents’ average commute
21 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
89.7
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Montgomery, AL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.