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Avenues Recovery
Norfolk, Virginia

Substance Abuse Counselor

CounselorFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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Posted 59m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Who We Are

Avenues Recovery Center is a nationwide network of drug and alcohol rehab centers with 18 locations across 7 states. With an unrivaled, evidence - based clinical curriculum and highly individualized care, Avenues continues to set new standards in the world of addiction treatment.

Our programs - spanning detox, residential, PHP, IOP and outpatient services - have transformed the lives of thousands to date. But our secret superpower is our people. If you are a talented, passionate clinician looking to make a real difference in the recovery community, the Avenues family warmly welcomes you!

Now Hiring substance use counselors for our new inpatient extended care rehab facility in Norfolk, VA!

What You'll Do

  • Create individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for each client
  • Conduct individual, group, family and couple therapy sessions
  • Take responsibility for all clinical needs, services, and aftercare for your client caseload
  • Prevent, intervene and de-escalate in event of a crisis
  • Maintain impeccable documentation of client challenges, progress, relapse risk, and intervention
  • Collaborate with Clinical Director, treatment team and family for seamless coordination of care

Model ethics, morality and recovery principles in every professional interaction - honesty, accountability, dignity and respect

What We're Looking For

  • Master's degree in psychology, counseling or related field required.
  • Valid state Virginia licensure / certification necessary to practice in this role
  • Excellent observational, collaborative and interpersonal skills
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Compassionate, dignified character which models recovery principles
  • Ability to set strong boundaries and maintain absolute confidentiality

Why Join Us

Avenues features a rich, fulfilling workplace culture where each person is valued and greatness is pursued. We support our employees unconditionally, and work to provide them with every resource they need to excel! Aside from generous PTO and compensation, when you join the Avenues family,

You'll Be Eligible for the Following Benefits Package

  • 401K with employer match
  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Accident
  • Critical Illness
  • Hospital Indemnity
  • Voluntary Short-Term Disability
  • Voluntary Long -Term Disability
  • Employer-Paid Life and AD&D
  • LifeTime Benefit Term Insurance with Long Term Care
  • Legal Coverage
  • Pet Insurance
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Employer-Paid Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - Medical
  • Dependent Care FSA (DCF)
  • Eligible for HRSA STAR federal student loan repayment
  • Join our growing team and discover the magic here at Avenues!

Key Responsibilities

Develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans and provide individual, group, family, and couples therapy for clients in addiction recovery. Manage clinical care and aftercare for a caseload, respond to crises, document client progress and risks, and coordinate care with the clinical director, treatment team, and families.

Requirements

A master's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field and valid Virginia licensure or certification to practice in this role are required. Candidates should have strong observational, interpersonal, collaborative, oral, and written communication skills, demonstrate compassion and recovery principles, and maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Individualized Treatment PlanningIndividual TherapyGroup TherapyFamily TherapyClient Caseload ManagementAftercare PlanningCrisis InterventionDe-EscalationClinical DocumentationCare CoordinationCollaborationOral Communication

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Substance Use / Addiction Counselor Jobs

11 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution10 jobs · 5 employers

4
<$50k
1
$52k
2
$55k-60k
3
$60k-65k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks10 jobs · 5 employers

401k / retirement match
100% this job
Loan repayment
80% this job
CME allowance
80%
PSLF eligible
70%
Sign-on bonus
20%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Substance Use Counselor - ACT

Access: Supports for Living · Mount Vernon, Virginia

$28.50 - $30.50/hr
#2

Substance Use Counselor

Christiansburg Comprehensive Treatment Center · Christiansburg, Virginia

$27.5-$30.44/hr
#3

Substance Use Counselor

$22-$30/hr
#4

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

$22.75-$28/hr
+ 9 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 3.0
Better work-life than 30% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,008 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Norfolk

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$298k
Typical market rent
$1,757/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

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

Avenues Recovery logo

About Avenues Recovery

Mental Health Care
Lakewood, New Jersey
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

401K with employer match
Medical Insurance
Dental
Vision
Accident
Critical Illness
Hospital Indemnity
Voluntary Short-Term Disability