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What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Counseling, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Counseling, you need advanced knowledge in counseling, mental health practices, and program management, usually supported by a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or psychology and relevant state licensure. Familiarity with case management software, electronic health records, and compliance standards such as HIPAA is often required. Strong leadership, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution skills help you guide teams and foster a supportive environment. These competencies are essential to ensure effective service delivery, staff development, and the overall well-being of clients and counseling teams.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Counseling, and how can they be effectively managed?

Directors of Counseling often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with providing clinical supervision, supporting a diverse team of counselors, and ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards. Managing high caseloads and addressing student or client crises can also be demanding. Effective management includes fostering open communication within the team, prioritizing ongoing professional development, and implementing clear protocols for crisis intervention and case management. Building strong relationships with stakeholders and promoting a positive, supportive work environment also help address these challenges.

What does a Director of Counseling do?

A Director of Counseling oversees the operations and staff of a counseling department in settings such as schools, universities, or healthcare facilities. They are responsible for developing and implementing counseling programs, supervising counselors, and ensuring that services meet the needs of clients or students. Additionally, they may handle administrative duties, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with regulations and ethical standards. The Director also often serves as a liaison between the counseling department and other administrative units.

What is the difference between Director Counseling vs School Counselor?

AspectDirector CounselingSchool Counselor
CredentialsMaster's degree in counseling or related field, licensure, and often additional administrative certificationsMaster's degree in school counseling or related field, state certification/license
Work EnvironmentEducational institutions, mental health agencies, or healthcare organizations, overseeing counseling programsK-12 schools, providing direct student counseling and support services
Employer & IndustrySchools, educational districts, mental health organizations

The main difference is that a Director Counseling typically oversees counseling programs at an organizational level, requiring leadership skills and broader administrative responsibilities, while a School Counselor works directly with students to provide individual and group counseling within a school setting. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and licensure, but their scope and focus differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Counseling jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Counseling jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Director Counseling jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Director Counseling job openings:
Director Counseling jobs near you
Assistant Director of Clinical Training - Counseling Center

Assistant Director of Clinical Training - Counseling Center

Iowa State University

Ames, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Iowa State University rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 84 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

304th of 528 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Title:Assistant Director of Clinical Training - Counseling CenterJob Group:Professional & ScientificRequired Minimum Qualifications:Master's degree and 3 years of related experience. Licensed to provide clinical services.Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Shape the Future of Mental Health Services at Iowa State University

Iowa State University's Student Counseling Services (SCS) is seeking an experienced and visionary Assistant Director of Clinical Training to lead the development and oversight of our mental health training programs. This leadership role offers the opportunity to influence both the professional growth of emerging mental health clinicians and the overall wellbeing of ISU students.

Student Counseling Services provides clinical and campus-based services to help students achieve their educational and personal goals. SCS supports the holistic wellbeing of every Iowa State student and promotes a healthy and inclusive community through clinical services, outreach, consultation, crisis intervention, and collaboration with campus partners.

As the Assistant Director of Clinical Training, you will collaborate closely with the SCS Director and leadership team to ensure that training programs for doctoral practicum students, graduate assistants, and master'slevel interns are comprehensive, effective, and grounded in best practices. You will play a central role in shaping a supportive, innovative training environment that reflects our commitment to excellence, teamwork, and student success.

This position blends administrative leadership with clinical expertise. In addition to directing training initiatives, you will provide clinical supervision to unlicensed staff and trainees, contribute to crisis intervention services, and offer direct client care. Your work will support highquality mental health services across the center while helping guide staff development and departmental operations.

Key Responsibilities:

- Collaborate as a member of the Leadership Team to align resources, policies, and practices with departmental goals.

- Communicate key decisions and policy updates to staff in a clear and timely manner.

- Oversee training programs for doctoral practicum students, graduate assistants, and master'slevel interns.

- Develop and enhance the master'slevel training program to ensure highquality learning experiences.

- Manage trainee recruitment, selection, orientation, and evaluation processes.

- Provide clinical supervision to unlicensed clinical staff and trainees.

- Deliver direct clinical services, including assessments, interventions, and psychotherapy.

- Serve as Team Leader for initial appointments and crisis services.

- Provide crisis intervention and consultation regarding student mental health concerns.

- Hire, train, and evaluate clinical staff to support professional growth and service quality.

- Collaborate with Human Resources on personnel matters and staff development initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Doctorate in Counseling or Clinical Psychology from an APA accredited university program, and completed APA Accredited internship.

  • Three or more years of post-licensure experience.

  • Experience providing clinical supervision within a university counseling center

  • Experience collaborating on training initiatives in a multidisciplinary team setting.

  • Demonstrated experience in a leadership role or experience as a clinical supervisor.

Iowa State University is committed to fostering a healthy worklife balance and offers a flexible, supportive workplace with exceptional benefits. With access to wellness programs, generous vacation time, and a collaborative campus community, you'll have the resources you need to thrive personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of students and future mental health professionals.

The selected candidate must reside in the state of Iowa at the time of hire.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

  • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
  • Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
  • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
  • Life insurance and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Various voluntary benefits and discounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

This position serves at the pleasure of university administration and is exempt from certain P&S policies.

Appointment Type:RegularNumber of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:Full timePay Grade:PS810Original Posting Date:April 21, 2026Posting Close Date:Job Requisition Number:R19017

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

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