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Addiction Counseling Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Clinician

Taylor, TX ยท On-site

Addiction counseling: 1 year (Required) License/Certification: * Clinical license to practice in Texas (Required) * CPR/First Aid Work Location: In person ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The ...

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Addiction Counseling information

See Texas salary details

$34.5K

$49.4K

$65.7K

How much do addiction counseling jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for addiction counseling in Texas is $49,376.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,900.00 and $52,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is addiction counseling?

Addiction counseling is a professional service that helps individuals struggling with substance abuse or behavioral addictions. Counselors work with clients to understand the root causes of their addiction, develop coping strategies, and create personalized treatment plans. They often use various therapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and group counseling. The goal of addiction counseling is to support clients in achieving and maintaining recovery, improving their mental health, and rebuilding their lives.

How do addiction counselors typically collaborate with other healthcare professionals to support client recovery?

Addiction counselors often work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including doctors, psychiatrists, social workers, and case managers, to provide comprehensive care for clients. This collaboration ensures that clients receive support for both their substance use issues and any co-occurring mental or physical health concerns. Regular team meetings, shared treatment plans, and coordinated referrals are common practices. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as they help create a unified approach to each client's recovery journey.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an addiction counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Addiction Counselor, you need a background in psychology or social work, specialized training in substance abuse counseling, and often state licensure or certification. Familiarity with assessment tools, electronic health records, and evidence-based therapy methods like CBT or motivational interviewing is typically required. Compassion, active listening, and strong interpersonal skills help build trust and motivate clients through recovery. These skills and qualifications are essential for providing effective support, ensuring ethical practice, and facilitating positive outcomes for individuals struggling with addiction.

What is the difference between Addiction Counseling vs Substance Abuse Counseling?

AspectAddiction CounselingSubstance Abuse Counseling
CredentialsOften requires certification such as Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC)Similar certifications, often CAC or Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor
Work EnvironmentClinics, rehab centers, outpatient programsRehab facilities, outpatient clinics, community health centers
Industry UsageUsed interchangeably in many settings, focus on addiction recoveryFocuses specifically on substance abuse issues, often used in treatment programs

Both Addiction Counseling and Substance Abuse Counseling involve helping individuals overcome addiction and substance-related issues. While they share similar credentials and work environments, Addiction Counseling often emphasizes a broader approach to addiction recovery, whereas Substance Abuse Counseling specifically targets substance-related problems. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, but understanding their nuances can help in choosing the right career or treatment path.

Is addiction counseling a good career?

Addiction counseling is a rewarding career that involves helping individuals recover from substance use disorders. It typically requires relevant education, certification, and strong interpersonal skills, with job growth driven by increased awareness of mental health and addiction issues. The role often involves working in clinical or community settings and may require ongoing training and licensure.

What can you do with an addiction counseling degree?

An addiction counseling degree prepares individuals to work as addiction counselors, providing support and treatment to clients with substance use disorders. Graduates can work in outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, or community organizations, often requiring certification or licensure depending on the region. The role involves counseling, developing treatment plans, and utilizing skills in mental health and addiction recovery.

Where do addiction counselors make the most money?

Addiction counselors tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for mental health services. Salaries are also influenced by experience, certifications, and working in private practices or specialized treatment centers. Typically, urban areas and states with more comprehensive healthcare funding offer higher compensation for addiction counseling roles.

What cities in Texas are hiring for Addiction Counseling jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Addiction Counseling job openings:

Infographic showing various Addiction Counseling job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,376 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Behavioral Health Counselor

Dallas, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, PTO

This job post hasย expired 2 days ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Pathway Healthcare is a leading behavioral health organization dedicated to providing comprehensive care for individuals facing mental health challenges and substance abuse issues. We believe in a holistic approach to treatment, addressing both physical and mental well-being to foster lasting recovery and wellness.

We value our team members and want our team members to experience a positive culture where they feel valued. Our team members have access to health benefits, including Teladoc that is free to all full-time employees, as well as PTO, and paid holidays. If you are passionate about helping people and want to be part of a team where you will be valued and have the opportunity to grow, then send us your resume!

POSITION ROLE

The Behavioral Health Counselor's role is to provide best in class behavioral therapies to patients with a wide range of mental health conditions and substance use disorders using proven treatment modalities including but not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and Stages of Change Therapy. Pathway Healthcare's model for treating addiction diseases includes and is equally dependent on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and behavioral health counseling and treatment. The Behavioral Health Counselor is critical to Pathway's mission To Help People.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • By focusing on own behaviors and providing appropriate suggestions, contribute to building and maintaining a culture that supports Pathway's mission, WE HELP PEOPLE.
  • Build and maintain knowledge related to the growing and evolving evidenced based treatment practices in addiction counseling.
  • Provide outpatient counseling services to individuals, couples, families, groups, as well as part of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) setting.
  • Prior to each session, review the patient's electronic medical record to be aware of any needs, changes in treatment plan, medication, or care since last visit.
  • Create a comfortable, relaxed, trusting environment to encourage patients to speak openly about their emotions and perspectives.
  • Complete clinical assessments on each new and existing patient as necessary, using validated assessment tools and collaborate with the patient to determine the most appropriate behavioral health treatment plan.
  • Provide patients with empathetic and compassionate behavioral health care in the office setting and/or via TeleHealth.
  • After each session, record pertinent patient information into the patient's electronic medical record, to include progress note, diagnosis, clinical opinions, and updated treatment plan, if needed.
  • Complete administrative tasks to ensure the continuous flow of pertinent patient information to and from other treating providers.
  • The person in this role will need to complete a minimum of 25 Patient Facing Hours each week.
  • Manage a case load of 120-160 patients
  • Collaborate with in-house Medical Doctors, Psychiatrists, and Patient Care Coordinators.
  • Office hours will be 8am-5pm Monday โ€“ Friday.

QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Each Behavioral Health Counselor, to provide the highest level of behavioral health treatment available to patients, and to meet each state's licensure requirements must possess the following credentials and be in good standing:

  • Alabama
    • LICSW
    • LPC
  • Mississippi
    • LCSW
    • LPC
  • Tennessee
    • LCSW
    • LPC, MHSP
  • Texas
    • LCSW
    • LPC
  • Louisiana
    • LCSW
    • LPC
  • Virginia
    • LCSW
    • LPC

Each Behavioral Health Counselor must have obtained a Master's Degree in Social Work or another clinical counseling clinical field and be independently licensed in the state they are working.