Substance Use Counselor

Role Overview

• Provide counseling services to people with substance use or co-occurring substance use/mental health diagnoses
• Assess the needs of clients, many of whom are living with and affected by HIV/AIDS
• Assist with linkages to necessary services/resources related to their medical status and/or psychosocial needs
• Provide necessary monitoring, follow-up, and coordination of services
• Actively participate in a multi-disciplinary treatment team designed to improve the overall functioning of clients
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments of new clients to determine their appropriateness for admission to the program.
• Provide formal diagnosis for clients based on DSM and clinical consultation with Clinical Supervisor
• Assess clients’ substance use and mental health needs and refer to appropriate agencies/support services, as needed.
• Complete comprehensive treatment plans with clients with regularly scheduled updates.
• Provide ongoing individual, couples, and family counseling sessions using evidence-based practice interventions.
• Develop and facilitate psychotherapy and/or support groups.
• Identify appropriate resources to address client needs and assist clients with identifying, building, and maintaining in-house and external support systems.
• Work collaboratively with staff to ensure that an integrated service plan is in place
• Provide all required documentation/statistics accurately and in a timely manner.
• Provide crisis-intervention services to agency clients, including client assessment, brief counseling, referral and/or other follow-up.
• Attend monthly GMHC all-staff meetings, and/or other meetings and trainings, as assigned.
• Create a welcoming and professional environment for all volunteers and embrace the value of volunteerism at GMHC.
• Assist with special projects and perform other related duties.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work or mental health counseling or doctoral degree in psychology required
• New York State licensure or permit enabling the practitioner to provide psychotherapy in the State of New York
• LMSW/LMHC preferred
• Established clinical expertise working with people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and/or with persons with mental health issues and substance use/misuse issues
• Knowledge/experience using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose
• Knowledge/experience using evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, ACT, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with HIV/AIDS, POC, and LGBTQ-identified adults and community needs
• Familiarity and ease with person-centered care and recovery-based models of care
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, substance use populations, and mental health and substance use counseling interventions
• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills required, including proficiency in computer systems
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and computer skills
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

Benefits

• GMHC supports a racial and gender-diverse environment which contributes to a positive and inclusive atmosphere.