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Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Jackson, MS (NOW HIRING)

... inpatient behavioral health team. This role is primarily focused on medication management and ... Coordinate care with NPs, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and nursing staff. * Maintain ...

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Behavioral Health Counselor information

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How much do behavioral health counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for behavioral health counselor in Jackson, MS is $50,041.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,000.00 and $57,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a behavioral health counselor?

A Behavioral Health Counselor is a licensed mental health professional who helps individuals manage emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues. They use evidence-based techniques such as talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other interventions to support clients in improving their well-being. Behavioral Health Counselors work with people experiencing issues like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and stress, and they may practice in settings such as hospitals, community centers, or private practices. Their goal is to empower clients to develop coping skills and make positive changes in their lives.

What is a behavioral health counselor?

As a behavioral health counselor, you help clients to overcome behavioral issues and improve their quality of life. Your job duties include assessing new patients, creating a treatment plan, and monitoring progress. You may offer a range of mental health therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy or positive self-talk, to help your clients change harmful behaviors and negative thought patterns. You may also work in conjunction with a clinical doctor to prescribe medications such as antidepressants or focus aids for regulating the brain.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a behavioral health counselor?

To thrive as a Behavioral Health Counselor, you need a solid understanding of psychological theories, counseling techniques, and typically hold a relevant degree with state licensure or certification. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), standardized assessment tools, and crisis intervention systems is often required. Exceptional active listening, empathy, and strong interpersonal communication skills help build trust and rapport with clients. These competencies are essential for providing effective support, facilitating positive behavioral change, and ensuring client safety in sensitive mental health environments.

What are some common challenges behavioral health counselors face when working with diverse client populations?

Behavioral Health Counselors often encounter challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences, and varying attitudes toward mental health when working with diverse client populations. Adapting therapeutic approaches to respect cultural values and beliefs while maintaining effective treatment can be complex. Counselors must also stay informed about community resources and engage in ongoing cultural competency training to provide the best support for all clients. Building trust and rapport in these contexts requires patience, empathy, and strong communication skills.

What are popular job titles related to Behavioral Health Counselor jobs in Jackson, MS?

For Behavioral Health Counselor jobs in Jackson, MS, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Behavioral Health Counselor jobs in Jackson, MS look for?

The top searched job categories for Behavioral Health Counselor jobs in Jackson, MS are:

What cities near Jackson, MS are hiring for Behavioral Health Counselor jobs?

Cities near Jackson, MS with the most Behavioral Health Counselor job openings:

Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Counselor job openings in Jackson, MS as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,041 per year, or $24.1 per hour.

MFLC Assignment Ready Counselor

Jackson, MS • On-site, Remote

Magellan Health, Inc.
Health Care and Social Assistance • 201 - 500 employees

Part-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

This position requires you to be licensed at the independent level in any state as an Mental Health Counselor, Therapist, or Social Worker. This position would work in support of On Demand Events, Surges, Summer Camps, and Backfills supporting the MFLC program.
The Assignment Ready Counselor (ARC) will provide coverage in short-term, surge and on demand situations resulting from the Military needs such as a post-deployment event or to cover an existing assignment for counselors who are absent. The Summer ARC counselor position covers assignments during the May 15th through September 15th time period, coinciding with the school summer break. With minimal guidance and oversight, provides the full breadth of Adult or Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) counseling services to military service members and their families at military installations. These services may include non- medical counseling, training/health and wellness presentations, consultation with parents, personnel at child daycare centers and schools, and consultation to installation command regarding behavioral health issues affecting military personnel and their family members. ARC CYB counselors may be assigned to DoDEA schools and community schools and will need to have experience working in a school setting to qualify for ARC role in backing up a school position. CYB counselors may also be assigned to youth programs, summer camps, and on demand assignments. ARC adult counselors may be assigned to support MFLC services in a variety of military community and readiness centers, as well as on-demand and surge assignments. The counselors work closely with the installation and military branch Points of Contact (POC) to assure that the program is provided within scope and meets the needs of the installation.
  • Provides non-medical, short term, solution focused, counseling directly to adults, children, and youth of service members. Services include assessment, brief counseling and consultation, action planning, referral to resources (assuring linkage as appropriate), and follow-up as indicated.
  • CYB counselors will also have a focus on supporting the staff and personnel of CDCs, DoDEA and community schools, youth programs and summer camps as well as providing parent training and guidance.
  • Provides training and health and wellness presentations, participate in health fairs and other base/installation activities.
  • Enters counselor activity data daily through smart phone or web application assure that reporting is accurate from assigned installation while maintaining confidentiality and anonymity of service / family member.

The job duties listed above are representative and not intended to be all-inclusive of what may be expected of an employee assigned to this job. A leader may assign additional or other duties which would align with the intent of this job, without revision to the job description.
Other Job Requirements
Responsibilities
Master's Degree from an accredited graduate program in a mental health related field, or social work.
With short notice, willing to accept assignments of undefined periods to include weekends.
Can cover, on a full-time basis, assignments of varying length from a weekend to two weeks.
Quickly builds rapport with service personnel clients, family members, students, parents and co-workers.
Adaptable to new working conditions, varying location rules, etc.; adjusts working style to align with each work environment.
Able to work effectively with minimal instruction and guidance.
Listens carefully to instructions provided.
With minimal notice, participates in regular in-services/training, Quality Improvement committees or other contract activities as assigned.
Requires ability to quickly engage and communicate with military members, spouses or children as assigned, in order to accomplish job functions, and to respond quickly to emergent situations in any physical location on a military installation and/or within a school setting, which includes the need to traverse short and/or long distances within the base to both indoor and outdoor locations, to maneuver through rugged, outdoor or uneven locations (e.g., steep inclines, stairs, grass), and work in outdoor weather and other military base conditions. Due to the nature of working on military installations or related worksites, counselors may need to comply with various site-specific requirements to work at designated locations. For example, for some assignments, counselors will need to have certain current immunizations or vaccinations and provide record of receipt.
Ability to prove US Citizenship and must be fluent in English.
Advanced knowledge of brief therapy and solution-focused counseling methods.
Prior military service/military family member and/or strong familiarity with military culture desired.
For CYB positions must meet the Magellan MFLC CYB criteria for experience with children and youth and specialty in child and adolescent development/psychology.
Creates a presence on the installation in which the service and family members feel comfortable approaching the counselor and recognize the program to be confidential; for CYB counselors -- creates a presence in child and youth settings, is available to children, youth, and staff. When working with children, counselor must abide by line of site protocol.
Establishes and maintains working relationships with community resources and provides appropriate linkages.
Partners with POC to provide Adult and CYB services in a manner that addresses the needs of the installation/facility. Develops an excellent working relationship with the installation/facility POC.
Manages duty to warn and restricted reporting situations according to DoD protocol and staffs the cases with Regional Supervisor/Regional Director.
Communicates with Regional Supervisors and participate in regular individual and group supervision, sharing information regarding trends and issues on the installations and in facilities to which they are assigned for substitute or on call services.
Responds to critical incidents and special requests as directed by the POC and approved by the OSD program manager.
General Job Information
Title
MFLC Assignment Ready Counselor
Grade
MFLC ARC
Work Experience - Required
Clinical
Work Experience - Preferred
Education - Required
Master's - Behavioral Health, Master's - Social Work
Education - Preferred
License and Certifications - Required
Current licensure required for this position that meets State, Commonwealth or customer-specific requirements - Care MgmtCare Mgmt, DL - Driver License, Valid In State - OtherOther, LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor - Care MgmtCare Mgmt, Must be an independently licensed behavioral health clinician - Care MgmtCare Mgmt
License and Certifications - Preferred
This is a Service Contract Act (SCA) covered position. The pay rate and health and welfare allowance are specified in the applicable wage determination agreement.
Magellan Health, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Tobacco-free workplace. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled.
Every employee must understand, comply with and attest to the security responsibilities and security controls unique to their position; and comply with all applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements and internal policies and procedures.