Housing Mental Health Counselor

Housing Mental Health Counselor

GMHC is seeking a Housing Mental Health Counselor to provide comprehensive mental health services and case management to individuals enrolled within a grant-funded mental health program in Supportive Housing. This role involves assessing the mental health needs of clients - many of whom are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS - and connecting them with appropriate services and resources to address their medical and psychosocial needs.

As part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team, the Housing Mental Health Counselor plays a vital role in monitoring client progress, coordinating services, and developing individualized care plans that integrate both mental health and medical care to enhance overall well-being. This position also plays a crucial role in reducing barriers to care, connecting clients with medical, mental health, and housing services, and advocating for their needs.

This is an opportunity for a compassionate and motivated professional to make a meaningful impact on individuals facing housing, mental health and substance use challenges while working in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Essential Job Functions

The following duties are mandatory requirements of the job:

Client Assessment & Treatment Planning :

• Schedule and conduct at least one monthly home visit per client to assess housing stability and provide case management services for clients residing in New York City to assess progress, provide in-person support, and ensure housing stability.
• In collaboration with and under the guidance of the Clinical Supervisor, conduct comprehensive mental health assessments to evaluate presenting symptoms, determine diagnostic impressions, and develop appropriate treatment plans. This process includes:
• Clinical Interviews : Engaging clients in structured and unstructured interviews to gather information about their mental health history, current symptoms, psychosocial stressors, and overall functioning.
• Diagnostic Evaluation : Utilizing DSM-5 criteria to assess mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluating suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, homicidal ideation, and other high-risk concerns, ensuring appropriate safety planning and crisis intervention if necessary.
• Psychosocial Assessment : Exploring factors such as family dynamics, employment status, financial concerns, housing stability, medical history, and social support systems that may influence mental health.
• Cognitive and Emotional Screening: Observing thought patterns, affect, behavior, and cognitive functioning to detect potential neurocognitive disorders, psychotic symptoms, or emotional dysregulation.

Counseling & Psychotherapy Services :

• Provide individual, couples, and family counseling using evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Develop and facilitate psychotherapy and/or support groups to address the mental health and wellness needs of clients
• Assist clients in identifying, building, and maintaining support systems, both within the agency and through external resources.

Case Management, Care Coordination & Advocacy

• Manage a caseload of up to 25 clients, including individuals and families across the five boroughs, providing comprehensive case management and direct support.
• Coordinate care across the continuum of services, integrating medical, mental health, housing, and social support by facilitating referrals to internal GMHC services, healthcare providers, entitlement agencies, and community resources to ensure timely access to comprehensive care.
• Escort clients to appointments with healthcare providers, entitlement agencies, and housing management offices to assist with service navigation.
• Conduct hospital and off-site visits to engage clients in crisis or undergoing treatment, maintaining continuity of care.
• Advocate for clients in case conferences with housing providers, medical teams, and other service agencies to address service needs and barriers.
• Ensure clients understand and adhere to housing program requirements, including the Terms and Conditions of Tenancy, to support long-term housing stability.
• Participate in monthly case reviews and internal chart audits, providing timely feedback and updates to ensure compliance and best practices.

Crisis Intervention & Client Support :

• Provide crisis intervention services, including client assessments, brief counseling, referrals, and follow-up care as needed.
• Ensure proper documentation and notification of crisis situations, including communication with relevant staff and supervisors.
• Maintain an empathetic, client-centered approach to crisis situations, ensuring appropriate interventions are implemented.

Compliance & Administrative Responsibilities:

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all services, including:
• Quarterly service plans and ongoing assessments.
• Monthly progress notes reflecting client progress and engagement.
• Completion of monthly home visit documentation.
• Data entry of contract deliverables into eCOMPAS, AWARDS, and other tracking systems.
• Track and report required statistics related to counseling, advocacy efforts, client outcomes, and program performance.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with state and federal regulations related to client care and substance use treatment.

Requirements

Special Skills and Knowledge :

Required :

• Strong clinical expertise in working with individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, mental health conditions, and substance use/misuse.
• Deep understanding of harm reduction, recovery-based models of care, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including communities of color (POC) and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Familiarity with psychiatric care, vocational training, and intensive treatment options to support holistic client well-being.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary treatment team.

Preferred :

• Bilingual in English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Experience working with individuals living with HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, and/or mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of New York State mental health regulations and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of housing stability resources and rental assistance programs.
• Experience working with LGBTQ+ communities, historically marginalized populations, and nonprofit organizations

Education and Certification :

• Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or a Doctoral degree in Psychology is required.
• New York State licensure or permit allowing the provision of psychotherapy (e.g., LMSW, LMHC, LCSW) is required; LCSW preferred.
• SIFI (Seminar in Field Instruction) eligibility is preferred for social work candidates.

Technical Skills :

The ideal candidate should have the following technical competencies to effectively manage case documentation, reporting, and client services:

Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including:

• Data tracking and analysis for case management and program reporting.
• Creating and managing spreadsheets to monitor client progress and deliverables.
• Using formulas, pivot tables, and data validation to ensure accuracy in documentation.

Basic Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including:

• Outlook (email communication, scheduling, and coordination with service providers).
• Word (creating case notes, service plans, and official correspondence).
• PowerPoint (preparing presentations for internal and external stakeholders).

Experience with electronic case management and data tracking systems, such as:

• eCOMPAS, AWARDS, or similar platforms for documentation and compliance reporting.
• Data entry and management to ensure contract deliverables are accurately recorded.

Familiarity with government benefit systems and entitlement programs, including:

• Social Security, Medicaid, SNAP, and Housing Assistance Programs.
• Ability to navigate online portals and submit required client documentation.

Strong documentation and compliance skills, ensuring:

• Accurate case notes and service plans in adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and other legal protections

Work Environment & Schedule :

• This is a hybrid position requiring a mix of:
• Fieldwork (conducting home visits, client escorts, and community outreach).
• In-office duties (team meetings, case conferencing, and