Licensed Addiction Counselor

Job Description

Job Description:Position Summary Turning Winds is seeking a dedicated and experienced Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) to lead the implementation and delivery of our comprehensive 16-week adolescent substance use treatment curriculum while supporting the integrated treatment of adolescents experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Turning Winds is a residential treatment center specializing in adolescent mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders. Our multidisciplinary treatment approach combines individual therapy, group counseling, family therapy, psychiatric services, and experiential learning to promote meaningful and lasting recovery. The LAC will serve as a specialized clinical resource within our multidisciplinary treatment team, providing substance use assessments, individual counseling, group therapy, relapse prevention services, and collaborative clinical interventions. An important component of this position involves working alongside primary therapists to address the relationship between substance use and underlying mental health conditions. The LAC may participate in individual and family therapy sessions as clinically indicated, providing specialized addiction treatment expertise while supporting continuity of care. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong clinical judgment, proficiency in evidence-based addiction treatment, effective collaboration with mental health professionals, and the ability to engage adolescents and families in the recovery process. Primary Responsibilities 1. Substance Use Curriculum Development and ImplementationLead the implementation and ongoing delivery of Turning Winds' structured 16-week adolescent substance use treatment curriculum.Develop and maintain weekly lesson plans, clinical objectives, therapeutic exercises, and measurable treatment outcomes.Facilitate evidence-based substance use groups addressing addiction education, motivation for change, emotional regulation, triggers, cravings, decision-making, and relapse prevention.Incorporate motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, and other evidence-based addiction treatment interventions.Adapt curriculum delivery to accommodate adolescents entering treatment at different points in the 16-week cycle.Coordinate substance use programming across residential treatment (RTC) and partial hospitalization (PHP) levels of care.Evaluate curriculum effectiveness through clinical observations, treatment outcomes, patient engagement, and ongoing quality improvement. 2. Group Counseling and Clinical ProgrammingFacilitate approximately 12–16 hours of clinical group programming weekly, depending on census, clinical needs, and scheduling.Provide specialized substance use counseling groups and integrated therapeutic skills groups for adolescents with co-occurring disorders.Address the relationship between substance use and mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation.Utilize interactive clinical interventions, role-playing, experiential learning, and structured skills practice.Collaborate with primary therapists to reinforce individualized treatment objectives within group programming.Complete timely, individualized group documentation in KIPU. 3. Collaborative Treatment of Co-Occurring DisordersWork collaboratively with primary therapists, psychiatric providers, nursing staff, and other clinical team members to support adolescents experiencing co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.Provide specialized addiction counseling expertise to assist primary therapists in understanding how substance use behaviors interact with psychiatric symptoms, emotional regulation, trauma-related concerns, and family dynamics.Participate in individual therapy sessions alongside the adolescent's primary therapist when clinically indicated.Assist primary therapists in developing interventions addressing substance use triggers, maladaptive coping patterns, motivation for change, and relapse vulnerability.Participate in family therapy sessions when substance use education, family dynamics, enabling behaviors, boundaries, or relapse prevention warrant specialized addiction counseling involvement.Provide clinical consultation and treatment recommendations during multidisciplinary case reviews.Collaborate in the development and implementation of integrated treatment plans addressing both mental health and substance use concerns.Support coordinated clinical interventions while respecting the primary therapist's responsibility for the adolescent's overall mental health treatment plan.Ensure collaborative interventions remain within the LAC's professional scope of practice and are documented appropriately. 4. Substance Use Screening, Assessment, and Clinical InterpretationAdminister appropriate, validated substance use screening and assessment instruments to identify substance use concerns, assess severity, and inform individualized treatment planning.Utilize screening and assessment instruments as clinically appropriate, which may include:Addiction Severity Index (ASI): A structured assessment addressing substance use and related psychosocial functioning, when appropriate for the adolescent's age and validated population.Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10/20): Screening tools designed to identify potential drug-related problems and their severity, subject to age-appropriate validation and clinical applicability.Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI): A standardized substance use screening instrument, using the appropriate adolescent version and following applicable administration, training, and licensing requirements.Recommend and incorporate additional adolescent-specific screening instruments when clinically appropriate.Administer, score, interpret, and document screening results in accordance with instrument instructions, professional training, and applicable standards.Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments within the LAC's authorized scope of practice.Evaluate substance use history, frequency, duration, consequences, cravings, withdrawal concerns, readiness for change, and relapse risk.Integrate screening findings with clinical interviews, collateral information, behavioral observations, and available treatment history.Distinguish screening results from formal diagnostic conclusions and avoid relying exclusively on questionnaire scores to establish a substance use disorder diagnosis.Collaborate with primary therapists to incorporate assessment findings into individualized treatment plans.Conduct follow-up assessments when clinically indicated to evaluate changes in substance use risk, treatment engagement, and recovery readiness.Maintain accurate screening and assessment documentation in KIPU.Communicate clinically significant findings to the treatment team and coordinate appropriate follow-up interventions. 5. Individual Substance Use CounselingProvide individual substance use counseling to adolescents requiring specialized addiction treatment.Address motivation for change, substance use triggers, cravings, coping strategies, high-risk behaviors, and recovery planning.Apply motivational interviewing, CBT, relapse prevention, and other evidence-based interventions appropriate to adolescent development.Develop measurable substance use treatment goals in collaboration with the adolescent and primary therapist.Provide additional individual counseling support when substance use concerns interfere with broader mental health treatment.Monitor progress toward individualized recovery objectives and communicate findings to the multidisciplinary treatment team. 6. Family Counseling, Education, and SupportProvide substance use-focused family counseling and psychoeducation within the counselor's authorized scope.Collaborate with primary therapists during family sessions when specialized addiction counseling expertise would enhance treatment.Educate parents and caregivers regarding adolescent substance use, co-occurring disorders, relapse prevention, and recovery expectations.Assist families in understanding the relationship between substance use, emotional regulation, peer influences, and family dynamics.Support the development of healthy boundaries, effective communication, and family-based recovery strategies.Participate in family discharge planning and aftercare preparation. 7. Integrated Treatment Planning and Multidisciplinary CollaborationParticipate in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings and clinical case consultations.Collaborate with primary therapists to identify substance use-related clinical needs and measurable treatment objectives.Review screening and assessment findings to inform individualized treatment recommendations.Support clinical interventions that address the interaction between substance use and psychiatric symptoms.Assist with treatment plan reviews and updates as clinically indicated.Coordinate with psychiatric providers and nursing staff when substance use concerns warrant additional medical or psychiatric evaluation.Support continuity of care during transitions between RTC, PHP, and discharge. 8. Clinical Documentation, Quality Assurance, and ComplianceMaintain accurate, timely, and clinically meaningful documentation in KIPU.Complete substance use assessments, individual counseling notes, group notes, family counseling notes, and treatment plan contributions as assigned.Document the clinical rationale, interventions provided, patient responses, and progress toward measurable treatment objectives.Ensure screening and assessment findings are appropriately documented and incorporated into treatment planning.Assist with utilization review documentation and payer-related clinical information requests.Follow applicable Montana professional licensing requirements, organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, and accreditation standards.Maintain professional licensure and continuing education requirements.Participate in clinical documentation reviews and quality improvement initiatives. 9. Relapse Prevention and Discharge PlanningDevelop individualized relapse prevention plans in collaboration with adolescents, families, and primary therapists.Identify high-risk situations, early warning signs, coping strategies, and recovery support resources.Assist adolescents in developing practical strategies for maintaining recovery following discharge.Provide substance use-related discharge recommendations and appropriate referrals.Collaborate with families and community providers to support continuity of care. Minimum QualificationsActive, unrestricted Montana Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) license OR qualify to transfer current LAC to Montana.Education and supervised clinical experience meeting Montana licensure requirements.Experience providing substance use assessments, individual counseling, and group treatment.Knowledge of adolescent substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.Ability to administer and interpret appropriate standardized substance use screening and assessment instruments.Proficiency in evidence-based addiction treatment approaches.Strong clinical documentation, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.Ability to meet applicable background screening and child-safety requirements. Preferred QualificationsThree or more years of addiction counseling experience.Previous experience in adolescent residential treatment, PHP, or intensive outpatient programming.Bachelor's degree or higher in addiction studies, counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field.Experience developing or implementing structured substance use treatment curricula.Experience with adolescent-specific screening instruments, including the SASSI-A3 or comparable validated measures.Training in motivational interviewing, CBT, DBT skills, and trauma-informed care.Familiarity with ASAM criteria, clinical utilization review, and payer documentation expectations.Experience using KIPU or a comparable electronic health record.Additional Montana clinical mental health licensure, such as LCPC or LCSW. Performance Expectations Success in this position will be evaluated through:Successful implementation and consistent delivery of the 16-week substance use curriculum.Quality and effectiveness of clinical group facilitation.Appropriate administration, interpretation, and documentation of substance use screening and assessment instruments.Meaningful collaboration with primary therapists in the treatment of co-occurring disorders.Effective contributions to individual and family therapy when clinically indicated.Timely and accurate clinical documentation.Measurable progress toward individualized substance use treatment objectives.Effective relapse prevention and discharge planning.Compliance with applicable clinical, professional, and organizational standards. Turning Winds is committed to helping adolescents and families restore hope through compassionate, evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment. The Licensed Addiction Counselor will play an important role in strengthening our integrated treatment model and helping young people develop the skills necessary for lasting change.Company Description:Turning Winds is a relational-based, premier residential treatment center which provides services to teens with primary mental health and secondary substance misuse. We leverage our outdoor environment to promote healing. Our mission is to Rescue teens from crisis, Renew their belief in their own potential and Reunite them with their family and a sustainable path of success. Our campus is located in Troy, Montana. Join our team and make a difference.

Company Description

Turning Winds is a relational-based, premier residential treatment center which provides services to teens with primary mental health and secondary substance misuse. We leverage our outdoor environment to promote healing. \r\rOur mission is to Rescue teens from crisis, Renew their belief in their own potential and Reunite them with their family and a sustainable path of success. Our campus is located in Troy, Montana. Join our team and make a difference.