Primary Mental Health Counselor

Job Title: Primary Mental Health Counselor Department: Clinical FLSA Status: Exempt Reports To: Associate Clinical Director / Clinical Director Organizational Mission and Clinical Philosophy: The River Wellness Texas is an innovative and integrated outpatient treatment program dedicated to providing compassionate, shame‑free care that addresses the root causes of mental health challenges and behavioral health patterns. Through a systems‑oriented approach grounded in The Human Ecology of Recovery™, we design custom‑tailored treatment experiences that meet clients where they are and support meaningful, sustainable transformation in their daily lives. Summary/Objective: The Primary Mental Health Counselor serves as a principal provider in the delivery of clinical services within The River Wellness Texas outpatient program. This role is responsible for providing high‑quality, individualized care to clients in a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) setting, integrating mental health and process addiction treatment within a comprehensive, systems‑oriented model of care. The Primary Counselor works collaboratively with the clinical team to implement The Human Ecology of Recovery™ framework, supporting clients in achieving emotional stabilization, behavioral change, and meaningful, sustainable recovery. Duties and Responsibilities: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Provides supportive clinical services to the clients of The River Wellness Texas (TRWT). Provides individual, group, and family counseling services in accordance with program standards and clinical direction. Facilitates process groups for clients within PHP and IOP programming. Teaches psychoeducational groups aligned with and structured through the approved clinical program model of TRWT. Conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, screenings, and intake evaluations. Develops, implements, and updates individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients and the treatment team. Integrates mental health and process addiction treatment approaches, including but not limited to compulsive behaviors related to relationships, sexuality, gambling, technology use, and other behavioral health patterns. Documents all clinical services in a timely, accurate, and professional manner in accordance with program, state, and accrediting body standards. Completes discharge summaries and develops aftercare recommendations aligned with client needs and level of care transitions. Maintains a regular schedule of individual sessions (minimum weekly contact) for assigned caseload. Provides ongoing case management, including coordination with referral sources, outside providers, and support systems. Ensures consistent communication with clients and, when appropriate, family members or identified supports. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and case reviews. Reports all incidents, safety concerns, or ethical issues in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards. Supports program development efforts, including implementation and ongoing refinement of the clinical curriculum and program structure, while collaborating with the treatment team to assess, justify, and document clinically appropriate lengths of stay for each client in accordance with medical necessity, treatment progress, and established level‑of‑care criteria. Integrates experiential, somatic, and skills‑based interventions into clinical practice where appropriate. Upholds all policies and procedures of The River Wellness Texas. Maintains strict confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policy. Protects and advocates for client rights at all times. Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance or mentorship to interns or trainees as assigned. This position operates in a professional outpatient clinical setting. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and electronic medical record systems. Clinical work includes both individual and group environments. Physical Demands: Ability to sit, stand, and move between clinical spaces throughout the day Ability to conduct extended sessions of group facilitation Occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for clinical interaction and documentation Travel: Minimal travel may be required for training or professional development. Education / Experience / Licensure Requirements: Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a closely related behavioral health field required Must hold one of the following Texas licenses in good standing: Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFT Associate) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Associate-Level Licensure Requirements (Texas-Specific): LPC Associates: Clinicians holding an associate-level license (LPC Associate or LMFT Associate) must practice under the supervision of a board‑approved supervisor and may not practice independently. LPC Associates: Must maintain an active Supervisory Agreement Form (SAF) on file prior to providing services Must receive regular supervision from a qualified LPC Supervisor (LPC‑S) in accordance with state requirements Must complete required supervised clinical experience hours toward full licensure LMFT Associates: Must practice under an approved LMFT Supervisor (LMFT‑S) Must complete required supervised clinical experience, including relational (couples/family) work Must receive ongoing supervision in accordance with board requirements LMSWs providing clinical services: Must receive supervision from a board‑approved LCSW‑S when engaging in clinical practice toward independent licensure Must complete required supervised clinical experience consistent with Texas regulations Scope of Practice and Supervision Expectations: Clearly identify their licensure status to clients and within documentation Practice within the scope defined by Texas state law and their licensing board Maintain ongoing supervision in accordance with board rules and organizational policy Ensure all clinical work is supported through appropriate supervisory channels Fully licensed clinicians (LPC, LCSW, LMFT): May practice independently within their defined scope of practice Are responsible for maintaining licensure, continuing education, and adherence to all ethical and legal standards Experience Requirements: A minimum of two (2) years of experience in a behavioral health, mental health, or substance use treatment setting is preferred; relevant clinical training or internship experience may be considered. Experience in PHP, IOP, or structured outpatient programming strongly preferred Experience with co‑occurring mental health and process addiction treatment preferred Experience facilitating both process groups and psychoeducational groups preferred Preferred Certifications and Specialized Training: Specialized training and/or certifications in trauma‑informed care, treatment of process and behavioral addictions, and co‑occurring mental health disorders are preferred, provided such training is consistent with the clinician’s scope of practice as defined by their Texas licensure and regulatory board. Examples may include, but are not limited to, training or certification in EMDR, Brainspotting, NET, Internal Family Systems, CSAT, trauma‑focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF‑CBT), somatic therapies, or addiction‑specific clinical models. All specialized modalities must be practiced within the boundaries of the clinician’s license, competency, and supervision requirements, and in accordance with organizational policy and applicable Texas regulations. Additional Requirements: Must maintain compliance with all Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) rules and applicable licensing board regulations Must maintain current liability insurance if required by licensure or supervisory agreement Must demonstrate ability to work within a structured clinical program while maintaining flexibility to meet individualized client needs Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and treatment planning skills Knowledge of mental health disorders, trauma, and behavioral/process addictions Ability to facilitate both process‑oriented and psychoeducational groups Strong documentation skills consistent with medical necessity and payer standards Effective communication and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team High level of organization and ability to manage a dynamic caseload Ability to integrate evidence‑based practices with innovative and experiential approaches Competence in maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards Competencies / Performance Measurements: Timely and accurate clinical documentation Compliance with state, payer, and accrediting body standards Client engagement, retention, and satisfaction Effective participation in treatment team collaboration Demonstrated clinical outcomes and progress toward treatment goals Adherence to program structure, curriculum, and clinical model Other Duties: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities required of the employee. Duties may change at any time with or without notice. #J-18808-Ljbffr The River Wellness Texas