Mental Health Counselor

The Mental Health Counselor provides therapeutic services at our Gage Park clinic. Our counselors work with individuals, addressing a broad spectrum of mental health challenges such as chronic psychotic and psychological disorders. This role involves conducting mental health assessments, developing treatment plans, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care.

We are looking for a dedicated counselor passionate about helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being, serving as a client advocate, and addressing barriers to care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individual therapy to clients facing mental health issues.
• Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments through interviews, observations, and evaluations.
• Develop and modify personalized treatment plans based on client progress and needs.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to address clients’ physical and mental health needs.
• Advocate for clients during crises and provide emergency support when necessary.
• Help refer clients to case management for resources like housing, legal aid, and financial assistance.
• Educate clients and families on coping strategies and mental health conditions.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client progress and treatment plans.
• Facilitate support groups to enhance clients' social and emotional functioning.
• Design and implement programs to address broader social issues like substance abuse prevention and community mental health.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong active listening, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Empathy and social perceptiveness in responding to clients’ needs.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, ethics, and professionalism.
• Effective time management and the ability to handle multiple cases.
• Knowledge of psychological theories, therapeutic techniques, and crisis intervention methods.
• Experience with clinical documentation and treatment planning software.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field (required).
• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Clinical Psychology (preferred).
• Active state licensure as an LPC (required).
• Minimum of 1 year of experience providing therapy in an outpatient setting.
• Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling is a plus.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

• Comfortable working in a clinic setting, both in person and virtually.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds as needed.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, life, disability).
• Generous PTO and paid holidays.
• Professional development stipend for continuing education and licensure maintenance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• A supportive, mission-driven work environment with opportunities for career growth.

Why Vivia Health?

At Vivia Health, we believe in the power of community and the importance of accessible mental health care. We are committed to supporting our staff with a collaborative work environment, ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients in underserved communities in Chicago.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to humanresources@viviahealth.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Vivia Health is an equal-opportunity employer. We continue to celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Let’s connect and make a difference together at Vivia Health!