Senior Counselor

Senior Counselor – Sunrise Ridge Position Summary GAAMHA is seeking a Senior Counselor to provide high-quality clinical counseling and case coordination services while serving as a senior member of the Sunrise Ridge treatment team. This full-time role blends direct client care with leadership support, helping to ensure that services are compassionate, evidence-based, recovery-focused, and compliant with all applicable standards. The Senior Counselor provides individual and group counseling, supports treatment planning and crisis intervention, assists with admissions and discharges, coordinates care with outside providers and systems, and contributes to program development and documentation quality. In addition, this role helps support clinical operations by mentoring staff, reinforcing best practices, and collaborating closely with the Clinical Supervisor and program leadership. Key Responsibilities Clinical Counseling & Treatment Planning Provide individual and group substance use disorder counseling to residents with co-occurring mental health needs. Coordinate, implement, and evaluate individualized treatment plans, service plans, and recovery goals. Conduct weekly individual counseling sessions and facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational groups using evidence-based curricula. Maintain a caseload in response to program needs and varying levels of clinical support required. Support residents in building sustainable recovery, improving self-sufficiency, and strengthening overall well-being. Provide crisis intervention and clinical support during challenging situations. Care Coordination & Resident Support Connect residents to community-based resources, including mental health, medical, recovery, parenting, and family support services. Support residents in navigating legal, probation/parole, DCF, and other external service systems. Assist with admissions, transitions, and discharges in accordance with program policies and procedures. Help maintain a structured, compassionate, and accountable residential environment. Assist with resident transportation as needed. Senior-Level Clinical Support Serve as a senior clinical resource to staff by modeling best practices in counseling, documentation, and resident engagement. Support onboarding, mentoring, and guidance of newer counselors, interns, or clinical staff as assigned. Assist in reviewing treatment approaches, strengthening group curriculum, and promoting evidence-based, trauma-informed care. Collaborate with the Clinical Supervisor and leadership team to maintain high standards of care and clinical consistency. Documentation, Compliance & Quality Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation. Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies, including HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and mandated reporting requirements. Support quality assurance efforts through strong documentation practices and adherence to program standards. Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, and multidisciplinary team discussions. Team Collaboration & Community Engagement Build and maintain collaborative relationships with referral sources, service providers, and community agencies. Represent GAAMHA and Sunrise Ridge in a professional, mission-driven manner. Contribute to a positive, respectful, and recovery-oriented team culture. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field preferred. CADC, LADC, LMHC, LICSW or other relevant clinical licensure/certification is preferred; must hold or be eligible for substance use or mental health credentialing. Minimum of 3 years of experience in substance use disorder counseling or residential treatment, preferably in a co-occurring treatment setting. Experience working with women, including pregnant and postpartum individuals, strongly preferred. Knowledge of mutual aid support groups and commitment to a multiple pathways to recovery philosophy. Strong communication, documentation, interpersonal, and crisis intervention skills. Demonstrated cultural competence and commitment to confidentiality and ethical practice. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based clinical systems. Valid driver’s license required. Must pass CORI and Adam Walsh/DCF background checks. Candidates with lived experience in recovery must have at least two years of continuous sobriety and are expected to maintain their sobriety throughout employment. Supervision Supervision Given: May provide mentoring and guidance to newer clinical staff, interns, or counselors as assigned. Supervision Received: Supervised by the Clinical Supervisor, with support from program leadership. This role works in close collaboration with the Clinical Supervisor and Program Director. Schedule Full-Time, Onsite This position is based fully onsite at Sunrise Ridge and requires regular in-person presence to provide direct clinical services, support residents, collaborate with staff, and respond to daily program needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr GAAMHA