Mental Health Counselor

Position: Mental Health Counselor
Status: Full-Time
Location: MHACF Offices / Community-Based Services / Telehealth, as applicable
Reports To: Director of Outpatient Services or Designee

About the Mental Health Association of Central Florida

Established in 1946, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of individuals living with mental illness and promoting overall mental health and wellness. MHACF is committed to prevention, early identification and intervention, integrated behavioral health services, and recovery.

MHACF recognizes the importance of addressing mental health concerns early and works to reduce barriers to care for individuals and families from diverse cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and life backgrounds.

Position Summary

The Mental Health Counselor provides professional mental health counseling services to individuals experiencing a variety of emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns. The counselor is responsible for conducting assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, providing evidence-informed therapeutic interventions, monitoring client progress, maintaining appropriate clinical documentation, and coordinating services when necessary.

The counselor is expected to provide services in alignment with MHACF's B4Stage4 philosophy, recognizing the importance of early identification, intervention, treatment, and support before mental health concerns reach a more critical stage.

The Mental Health Counselor will work with a diverse population and may provide services through office-based, community-based, and telehealth settings, depending on program needs and client circumstances.

Essential ResponsibilitiesClinical Services

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments and clinical intakes.
• Identify presenting concerns, strengths, needs, and appropriate treatment goals.
• Provide individual mental health counseling and therapeutic services.
• Provide group counseling or psychoeducational services when appropriate and assigned.
• Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients.
• Utilize appropriate evidence-informed therapeutic interventions based on client needs, clinical training, and scope of practice.
• Monitor client progress toward established treatment goals.
• Regularly review and update treatment plans as clinically appropriate.
• Identify changes in client needs and make appropriate recommendations for additional or alternative services.
• Provide crisis intervention and appropriate support within the counselor's scope of practice.
• Refer clients to additional behavioral health, medical, social, or community resources when indicated.
• Coordinate care with other providers and community resources, when appropriate and authorized.
• Support clients in developing coping skills, improving functioning, and working toward overall wellness and recovery.

Client Engagement

• Establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship based on respect, empathy, cultural awareness, and professionalism.
• Respond to referrals and client inquiries within established organizational standards.
• Make reasonable efforts to engage clients who are difficult to reach or who have missed appointments.
• Communicate clearly with clients regarding services, expectations, treatment goals, and available resources.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Support client autonomy and participation in treatment decisions.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete clinical documentation accurately and within required timeframes.
• Maintain current assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge documentation.
• Ensure documentation accurately reflects services provided, client progress, interventions, and clinical recommendations.
• Complete required screenings, assessments, outcome measures, and other clinical instruments as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and all applicable federal, state, local, and organizational requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation related to referrals, coordination of care, and outside services.
• Participate in internal quality assurance activities, chart reviews, and compliance audits as required.
• Correct documentation deficiencies in a timely manner when identified.

Care Coordination & Referrals

• Collaborate with internal programs and departments to support continuity of care.
• Connect clients with appropriate community resources and specialized services.
• Coordinate with other behavioral health providers, medical providers, case managers, and community organizations when appropriate.
• Support appropriate transitions and referrals when a client's needs exceed the services available through MHACF.
• Assist clients in navigating available resources and reducing barriers to accessing care.

Community-Based Services

When assigned, the Mental Health Counselor may provide services in community settings or locations identified as appropriate for client needs.

Community-based services may include:

• Individual counseling
• Group services
• Outreach
• Psychoeducation
• Community presentations
• Mental health education
• Resource navigation
• Engagement with community partners

The counselor is expected to represent MHACF professionally and maintain appropriate boundaries when providing services outside of the traditional office setting.

Telehealth

When appropriate and authorized, the counselor may provide services through telehealth.

Telehealth services must:

• Follow applicable federal and state requirements.
• Follow MHACF policies and procedures.
• Maintain client confidentiality.
• Utilize approved technology and platforms.
• Meet the same clinical and documentation standards as in-person services.

Collaboration & Teamwork

The Mental Health Counselor will work collaboratively with clinical and administrative staff to support the overall needs of clients and the organization.

Responsibilities include:

• Participating in team meetings.
• Communicating relevant client-care information appropriately.
• Collaborating with supervisors and other providers.
• Participating in case consultation when needed.
• Supporting organizational initiatives.
• Assisting other departments when appropriate and consistent with the position's responsibilities.
• Maintaining positive and professional working relationships.

Quality Improvement

The counselor is expected to participate in MHACF's ongoing efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of services.

This includes:

• Participating in chart reviews and quality assurance activities.
• Monitoring client outcomes.
• Identifying barriers to effective service delivery.
• Participating in staff training and professional development.
• Following established clinical and operational procedures.
• Providing constructive feedback regarding opportunities to improve services.
• Supporting organizational compliance and best practices.

Cultural Competency & Diversity

The Mental Health Counselor must demonstrate the ability to provide compassionate and effective services to individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, gender, and family backgrounds.

The counselor is expected to:

• Practice cultural humility.
• Respect individual differences and client preferences.
• Recognize the impact of trauma, discrimination, and social determinants of health.
• Avoid assumptions based on a client's background or circumstances.
• Support an inclusive and welcoming environment.
• Provide services consistent with MHACF's commitment to equity, dignity, and respect.

Professional Expectations

The Mental Health Counselor is expected to:

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Exercise sound clinical judgment within scope of practice.
• Demonstrate reliability and accountability.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation.
• Protect client confidentiality.
• Follow MHACF policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.
• Work independently while recognizing when consultation or supervision is needed.
• Maintain a commitment to professional growth and continuing education.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for the mission of MHACF and the individuals and communities we serve.

QualificationsRequired

• Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Psychology, or a related field.
• Eligible for applicable state clinical licensure or registration based on degree and professional discipline.
• Demonstrated clinical skills in providing mental health services.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to ethical and professional standards.

Preferred

• Experience providing mental health counseling in a community-based or nonprofit setting.
• Experience working with underserved or uninsured populations.
• Experience providing services to children, adolescents, adults, or families.
• Experience with trauma-informed care.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills, particularly Spanish, are strongly valued.
• Experience with electronic medical records and telehealth platforms.

Working Conditions

The position may involve working in an office, community-based setting, client-preferred setting when appropriate, and/or through telehealth.

The counselor may be required to travel within the Central Florida community depending on program and client needs.

Physical & Other Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

The position may require:

• Sitting and standing for extended periods.
• Use of computers and electronic medical record systems.
• Communication by telephone, email, and other electronic methods.
• Travel to community locations when assigned.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in varied service environments.

Performance Expectations

Performance will be evaluated based on the counselor's ability to:

• Provide quality clinical services.
• Maintain appropriate client engagement.
• Complete documentation accurately and timely.
• Follow clinical, ethical, and organizational requirements.
• Demonstrate appropriate clinical judgment.
• Maintain professional relationships.
• Participate effectively as part of the MHACF team.
• Meet established productivity and service expectations.
• Demonstrate commitment to client-centered care and recovery.
• Support MHACF's mission and B4Stage4 philosophy.

Equal Opportunity

MHACF is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful workplace and service environment. Employment decisions are made consistent with applicable laws and organizational policies.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties and responsibilities may be modified based on organizational and program needs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Language:

• Bilingual (Required)

Work Location: In person