The counselor will be responsible for helping people manage and overcome mental and emotional issues. Counselors Provide direct clinical services to the AODA clients in accordance with the patient's treatment plan and the State of Illinois Administrative Code Chapter X: Part 2060, 2090, and 2030. The counselor will listen to patients and ask questions to help them understand their problems and develop strategies to improve their lives. The counselor will diagnose, treat, and help patients create coping strategies. Will counsel, listen, support, and monitor the patient for progress. The counselor will work with individuals and groups and will help provide community resources for patients. Counselors will be responsible for facilitating group therapy and individual sessions and will ensure that all documentation is complete according to the activity conducted."

New hires will be guided by the current Counselor to learn the daily procedures and processes of the facility.

Counselor Duties and Responsibilities

• Diagnosing a patient's mental and emotional disorders
• Working and counseling groups, communities, and individual patients
• Evaluating patients through conversations, interviews, and observations to determine the correct testing or examination
• Developing a treatment plan that may include counseling, medication, or other services
• Setting patient goals and discussing a treatment plan
• Encouraging, supporting, and listening to patients
• Helping patients discuss experiences and emotions
• Assisting patients through difficult life changes and challenges
• Educating the patient on strategies and coping skills
• Referring patients to resources like psychiatrists, treatment facilities, or community services
• Accessing patient needs, and developing strategies to help the patient
• Maintaining good working relationships with support networks, government resources, and community resources
• Advising and guiding patients through difficult decisions
• Helping patients with a variety of issues such as substance abuse, bullying, anger management, depression, relationships, stress and suicide

Counselor Requirements and Qualifications

• Possesses superb written and spoken communication skills
• Knowledge of the requirements of a substance abuse counselor's activities..
• Excellent interpersonal skills with patients, colleagues, and community resources
• Compassionate and caring for patients
• Excellent time management skills; organized and able to prioritize
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with multiple patients
• Able to organize and manage large amounts of files, schedules, dates, and information
• Calm and cool-headed with a positive attitude
• Self-directed and self-motivated
• Comfortable with building personal relationships and dedicated to helping others
• Empathetic and supportive with mentorship and leadership skills
• Bachelor's degree in a related field; Master's degree in psychology, clinical mental health counseling, marriage, and family therapy, or a related mental health field, from a school accredited by the council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs
• Hold a license to perform in-state; licensed by either through theNational Board for Certified Counselors and/or theAssociation of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Able to work nights and weekends
• Good interpersonal skills and communication skills