Mental Health Counselor (High School)

Position Type:
Student Support Services
Date Posted:
5/6/2026
Location:
Carlsbad High School
JOB GOAL : The School Behavioral Health Counselor will provide individual, group, and family counseling in the general education setting to students based on referrals from staff and the counselor's evaluation of need. A School Behavioral Health Counselor supports school staff in understanding the importance of positive climate and culture, social emotional learning, and practices that support mental health in the school environment. This person will be involved in decision making processes related to the education of students on his/her caseload.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Employ appropriate methods of practice that enable students and families to function adequately within their educational and community settings by
providing individual, group, and family counseling to students
providing intensive crisis intervention to remedy effects of abuse, neglect, adverse childhood experiences, or exploitation of children
providing appropriate interventions in situations detrimental to the physical, mental, educational, and/or emotional well-being of the student

Create and implement a referral process for school-based counseling services
Provide interventions in a timely manner and taking into consideration the severity of each case
Evaluate all relevant information regarding a referred case
Coordinate multidisciplinary efforts for the management of cases when appropriate
Document medical and educational necessity within a plan of care and/or progress notes
Formulate goals and objectives for the plan of care for each case and tailor clinical interventions to planned goals and objectives
Maintain a counseling schedule that meets the individual needs of students referred for services
Document services provided and complete supporting documentation using standards set forth by the Medicaid School Based Services (MSBS) program
Provide or contribute to prevention and intervention programs that promote the mental health and physical well-being of students
Supports school staff in understanding the importance of positive climate and culture, social emotional learning, and practices that support mental health in the school environment, both at the school and student level
Determine how services in the local community may be beneficial to the student, their family, and the family's involvement in the academic process
Provide support and encouragement to students, parents, and staff in an atmosphere of mutual respect
Develop a caring relationship with students and caregivers and show consideration of their feelings, opinions, and suggestions
Promote respect and positive interpersonal relationships among students and families
Maintain an up-to-date log, indicating types of referrals received, dates, and status of referral and referral sources
Conduct risk and threat assessments, interventions, and referrals as necessary for crisis intervention
Participate in re-entry plan meetings for students returning to school after a mental health related hospitalization, residential treatment placement, or incarceration
Participate in an assessment of need for ongoing behavioral health services in the school setting, for the student
Provide ongoing behavioral health interventions as deemed necessary

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Hold a department-issued license for at least one of the following: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) License Master Social Worker (LMSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT);

Valid New Mexico PED School Behavioral Health Counselor license as required by the State of New Mexico.
Experience in working with children experiencing behavioral health issues