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Children Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Magellan Health Services

Provides non-medical, short-term, solution focused counseling directly to eligible children and youth of service members at assigned primary and secondary locations. Services include assessment ...

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Children Counselor information

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How much do children counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for children counselor in the United States is $14.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.02 and $16.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a children counselor?

A Children Counselor is a mental health professional who specializes in helping children cope with emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges. They use various therapeutic techniques to support children dealing with issues such as anxiety, trauma, family problems, or difficulties at school. Children Counselors often work closely with families, teachers, and other caregivers to create a supportive environment for the child’s well-being. Their goal is to help children develop healthy coping mechanisms and improve their overall mental health.

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

To thrive as a Children Counselor, you need a background in psychology or counseling, relevant licensure (such as LPC, LCSW, or LMFT), and experience working with children. Familiarity with therapeutic techniques, assessment tools, and electronic case management systems is essential. Exceptional communication, patience, and the ability to build trust with children and families are crucial soft skills. These competencies help counselors provide effective support, promote healthy development, and address emotional or behavioral challenges in young clients.

What are some common challenges faced by children counselors when supporting young clients, and how are they addressed?

Children Counselors often encounter challenges such as building trust with children who may be hesitant to open up and communicating effectively with clients who have limited verbal skills or emotional awareness. These challenges are typically addressed through the use of age-appropriate therapeutic techniques, play therapy, and the creation of a safe, supportive environment. Counselors also work closely with families, teachers, and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to the child's well-being and to reinforce progress outside of sessions.

What is the difference between Children Counselor vs Child Psychologist?

Children CounselorChild Psychologist
Requires a bachelor's or master's degree in counseling, social work, or related fields; may need state licensureRequires a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology; licensure as a psychologist
Works in schools, community centers, private practices, or hospitalsWorks in clinics, hospitals, private practices, or research settings
Focuses on emotional, behavioral, and social issues in childrenFocuses on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders in children

Children Counselors and Child Psychologists both support children's mental health but differ in education, scope, and treatment methods. Counselors typically hold a master's degree and focus on counseling and support, while psychologists have doctoral degrees and provide diagnosis and therapy for mental health conditions.

How do you become a children counselor?

To become a children counselor, you typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, followed by obtaining relevant licensure or certification depending on your location. Many roles also require supervised experience or internships, and advanced positions may require a master's degree in counseling or social work.

What cities are hiring for Children Counselor jobs?

Cities with the most Children Counselor job openings:

What states have the most Children Counselor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Children Counselor jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Children Counselor jobs?

For Children Counselor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Children Counselor jobs near you

Supervising Children's Counselor

New York, NY • On-site

NYC Health Hospitals
Health Care and Social Assistance • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about NYC Health Hospitalsexternal

$80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

NYC Health + Hospitals rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 75 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services.
At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.
Work Shifts
9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M 35 hours
Duties & Responsibilities
Purpose of Position:
Under general supervision, is responsible for performing complex child development practice activities and/or the supervision of a child care program in a subdivision of a center for dependent and neglected children; performs related work.
Examples of Typical Tasks:
1. Assists in the planning, organizing and administration of child development or child care programs.
2. Selects, assigns, trains and supervises the counseling staff engaged in the care of preschool and/or school age children.
3. Develops training curricular and conducts in-service training for staff in clinical child development techniques.
4. Develops staff skills in the observation and recording of individual and group behavior.
5. Coordinates medical, psychiatric, recreation and social services aspects of the child care/development program.
6. Conducts individual and staff conferences.
7. Administers developmental assessments, conducts evaluative studies and prepares progress reports.
8. Reviews and prepares reports required in operating the pre-school and school age programs.
Minimum Qualifications
1. A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Early Childhood Education or a related field deemed appropriate by the department, and two years of full-time relevant experience working with children in an educational, hospital or mental health setting; or,
2. A Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university, with at least twelve semester hours in Child Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Social Group Work or related coursework, and four years of full-time experience as described above; or,
3. A satisfactory equivalent combination of training, education and experience.
Benefits
NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
  • Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
  • Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
  • Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
  • Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
  • College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
  • College Savings Program
  • Union Benefits for eligible titles
  • Multiple employee discounts programs
  • Commuter Benefits Programs

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.

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