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Addiction Counselor Trainee Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

VHC Health

Licensed Clinical Therapist

Arlington, VA · On-site

$68K - $92K/yr

Provide training supervision for students and registered counselor trainees as requested by the ... Addiction Medicine) standards and regulations and ability to apply ASAM criteria to each patient ...

VHC Health

Licensed Clinical Therapist

Arlington, VA · On-site

$70K - $126K/yr

Provide training supervision for students and registered counselor trainees as requested by the ... Addiction Medicine) standards and regulations and ability to apply ASAM criteria to each patient ...

VHC Health

Licensed Clinical Therapist

Arlington, VA · On-site

$68K - $92K/yr

Provide training supervision for students and registered counselor trainees as requested by the ... Addiction Medicine) standards and regulations and ability to apply ASAM criteria to each patient ...

VHC Health

Director Social Services

Arlington, VA · On-site

$96K - $181K/yr

... Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and ... Provide training and supervision for students and registered counselor trainees when services are ...

VHC Health

Director Social Services

Arlington, VA · On-site

... Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and ... Provide training and supervision for students and registered counselor trainees when services are ...

All JobsAddiction Counselor JobsAddiction Counselor Trainee JobsAddiction Counselor Trainee Jobs in Virginia

Addiction Counselor Trainee information

What is an addiction counselor trainee?

Addiction Counselor Trainees are individuals who are in the process of gaining the necessary education, supervised experience, and training to become certified or licensed addiction counselors. They typically work under the supervision of experienced professionals while learning to assess clients, develop treatment plans, and provide counseling services to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Trainees often participate in both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice to build their skills and knowledge. Their role is essential in supporting clients while also preparing them for independent practice as addiction counselors.

What are some common challenges faced by addiction counselor trainees during their first year, and how can they effectively overcome them?

Addiction Counselor Trainees often encounter challenges such as managing emotionally intensive client sessions, maintaining professional boundaries, and adapting to various therapeutic techniques. Building resilience, seeking guidance from experienced supervisors, and participating in regular supervision sessions are effective ways to handle these difficulties. Trainees are encouraged to stay current with evidence-based practices, utilize peer support, and engage in self-care to prevent burnout as they develop their counseling skills.

What is the difference between Addiction Counselor Trainee vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectAddiction Counselor TraineeSubstance Abuse Counselor
CredentialsOften requires a high school diploma or some college; supervised trainingRequires certification or licensure, such as CADC or LPC
Work EnvironmentInternship or supervised setting, often in clinics or rehab centersFull-time in treatment centers, clinics, or hospitals
Employer & IndustryEntry-level role in addiction treatment industryLicensed professional working independently or with a team
Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The Addiction Counselor Trainee is an entry-level position requiring supervision and minimal certification, often serving as a stepping stone toward becoming a licensed Substance Abuse Counselor. The Substance Abuse Counselor is a fully credentialed professional responsible for client treatment and support. Both roles are integral to addiction treatment but differ mainly in certification, independence, and work responsibilities.

How hard is it to become an addiction counselor trainee?

Becoming an addiction counselor trainee typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions preferring or requiring a relevant bachelor's degree. Trainees often need to complete specific training or certification programs, gain supervised experience, and develop skills in counseling and communication, which can vary in difficulty depending on individual background and program requirements.

Is addiction counselor trainee a good career?

An addiction counselor trainee is an entry-level position in the mental health field focused on supporting individuals with substance use issues. It offers opportunities for professional growth, requires relevant certifications or training, and often involves working in clinical or community settings. The career can be rewarding for those interested in helping others and pursuing further credentials such as licensure or advanced degrees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an addiction counselor trainee?

To thrive as an Addiction Counselor Trainee, you need foundational knowledge in counseling techniques, substance abuse disorders, and a relevant educational background, often with progress toward certification or licensure. Familiarity with client management software, electronic health records, and basic assessment tools is commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, empathy, and resilience help trainees connect with clients and contribute positively to treatment teams. These skills are crucial for providing effective support, building trust, and fostering successful recovery outcomes for clients.
What are the most commonly searched types of Addiction Counselor jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Addiction Counselor jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Addiction Counselor Trainee jobs in Virginia? For Addiction Counselor Trainee jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Addiction Counselor Trainee jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Addiction Counselor Trainee jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Addiction Counselor Trainee jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Addiction Counselor Trainee job openings:
Addiction Counselor Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Addiction Counselor Trainee job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Fredericksburg, VA

$85K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

This Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor/BHIP-SOS position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Fredericksburg Health Care Center (FxHCC) located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, VISN 6. This position is aligned with the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Outpatient Services.Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j.
  • Education: Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling. CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program. Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/. NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling.
  • Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
  • Experience, Education, and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee. Some state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. Please refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
    1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation.
    2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship.
    3. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings and discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases and confer about the counseling perspectives and orientation.
    4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill.
    5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.
    6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions.
    7. Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices.
    8. Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy.
Preferred Experience:
  • At least one year conducting biopsychosocial assessments of patients' needs in a healthcare setting.
  • Experience in working with a multidisciplinary treatment team (at least 1 year).
  • Experience in providing EBP's (evidenced based psychotherapies).
  • At least one year experience working with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD.
  • At least one year experience in electronic medical record documentation of health and behavioral issues.
  • Experience working with the Veteran and/or military population.
  • Experience working with patients in crisis and facilitating safety planning.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
Physical Requirements: The clinician needs to be mobile in that the job requires: sitting, walking, standing, and bending. This position is primarily sedentary, and requires sitting, walking, standing, and bending. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office and/or home space.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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