Behavioral Health Counselor - Independent (LISW / LPCC)

Support rehabilitation. Promote positive change. Make a lasting impact.

Position Summary

We’re seeking a compassionate, skilled Clinical Counselor to provide evidence-based mental health services in a residential corrections setting. This role supports individuals in addressing behavioral health needs, developing healthier coping strategies, and building the skills necessary for successful rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

The Clinical Counselor conducts diagnostic assessments, provides individual, group, and family therapy as appropriate, develops individualized treatment plans, and collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to promote client progress, accountability, and positive outcomes within a structured residential environment. Required Licensure: Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

Key Responsibilities

Provide individual and group counseling using evidence-based interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to address mental health needs, behavioral challenges, and treatment goals. Conduct comprehensive diagnostic assessments, establish diagnoses within the scope of licensure, and develop individualized treatment and service plans.

Monitor client progress, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and adjust interventions to support rehabilitation and behavioral change. Maintain an active caseload, engage clients consistently, and support participation in treatment programming. Collaborate with corrections staff and interdisciplinary treatment team members to coordinate care, address clinical concerns, and support a safe, structured therapeutic environment.

Provide family therapy when appropriate and consistent with treatment goals. Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation in accordance with agency, regulatory, contractual, accreditation, and professional standards. Provide clinical consultation, staff training, and supervision of eligible staff or interns as assigned.

Maintain professional boundaries, uphold ethical standards, and practice within licensure requirements and established facility protocols. Complete required agency and accrediting-body training and perform other duties as assigned. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Commitment to ethical, culturally responsive, and respectful care for individuals in a correctional setting.

Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, treatment-planning, and problem-solving skills. Ability to balance therapeutic engagement, client accountability, professional boundaries, and facility safety requirements. Ability to respond effectively to challenging behaviors, changing client needs, and complex clinical situations.

Strong communication, collaboration, organization, and time-management skills. Ability to provide clinical guidance and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary team members. Current knowledge of DSM/ICD diagnostic criteria and psychotropic medications, including common side effects. Proficiency with electronic clinical documentation systems.

Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining clinical quality, accuracy, and compliance.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in a relevant behavioral health field. Current LISW or LPCC licensure. Three to five years of clinical counseling experience preferred; experience in corrections, residential treatment, or other structured behavioral health settings is a plus.

Essential Functions

and Physical Demands The position involves frequent sitting, reaching, handling, and verbal communication; occasional standing, walking, and driving as required by job duties; and varying levels of visual demands, bending, kneeling, crouching, balancing, and climbing. Physical demands vary by task and assignment. Equal Employment Opportunity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability.