Entry Level Counselor Jobs Near Me

Position Summary: 

The Residential Counselor provides direct support to clients in the Mental Health Residential Treatment setting. This role is designed for emerging professionals with a bachelor’s degree or in the final stages of completing coursework in social work, psychology or a related field who wish to gain hands on clinical experience. The Residential Counselor assists with direct care support, group facilitation, case management, risk assessment and crisis intervention, while contributing to a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Client Care and Case Management

• Assist with ongoing case management tasks, including coordinating appointments, maintaining communication with providers, and supporting discharge/aftercare planning.
• Transport clients safely to and from appointments, community activities and recovery related outings, maintaining professionalism and therapeutic rapport.
• Support clients in developing daily living skills, self-care routines, and household responsibilities consistent with treatment goals.
• Document all client interactions, observations, and incidents accurately and timely in accordance with program and licensing standards.

Therapeutic and Clinical Support

• Co-facilitate psychoeducational, skills-based and process groups under clinical supervision (e.g., DBT, mindfulness, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, ADL skill building).
• Assist clients with setting and achieving recovery goals.
• Support clients with developing and achieving treatment plan goals and documenting progress as needed.
• Conduct ongoing behavioral observations and report relevant information to the clinical team for treatment planning.
• Participate in the completion of risk assessments (e.g., C-SSRS, SAFE-T) under supervision to monitor client safety and risk status.
• Assist with crisis de-escalation and intervention, utilizing trauma-informed communication, grounding techniques and emergency protocols when necessary.
• Provide supportive one-on-one check-ins to reinforce coping skills, emotional regulation and safety planning within the scope of training.

Milieu and House Management

• Maintain structure and consistency within the daily schedule, ensuring adherence to treatment programming and program guidelines.
• Foster a positive, recovery-oriented community by modeling healthy communication, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Support the upkeep of the home environment by assisting clients with chores, meal preparation, and maintaining cleanliness in shared spaces.
• Ensure the facility is maintained in a safe, clean, and orderly condition. 
• Monitor self-administration of medication as per program policy and report any deviations or safety concerns to the supervising staff immediately.

Professional Development and Team Collaboration

• Engage in supervision and ongoing training to enhance professional competence and clinical judgment.
• Demonstrate openness to feedback, willingness to learn, and commitment to developing skills in strength-based communication, risk management, and crisis response.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team—including therapists, medical staff, and BHTs—to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Uphold confidentiality, ethical standards, and all company policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Educational and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree Track:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services field (Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, etc.).
• Experience: Typically requires no prior experience at this level, as the degree serves as the primary qualifier for entry-level MHW status.

• Associate’s Degree/ 60 Credits Track:

• Education: An associate’s degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university in a human services field.
• Experience: Requires at least 3 years of experience in a mental health or human services setting.

• High School Diploma Track (Equivalency):

• Education: A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Requires at least 5 years of documented experience in a mental health or human services setting.

Core Competencies

• Trauma-informed and strength-Based Approach
• Crisis de-escalation and intervention skills
• Risk assessment and safety monitoring
• Effective communication and documentation
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth

Work Environment

• Residential home setting with 24/7 client care.
• Requires flexibility to work on weekends, evenings, or holidays.
• Frequent driving and direct client contact.