Job Title: In-Home Counselor

Job Description: Provides individual and group counseling services to meet the developmental, preventive, and remedial needs of the client. Consults with client, parents, teachers, and other school and community personnel to assist in meeting the needs of the client. Coordinates all counseling services for the client and assists with the coordination and implementation of services. Adheres to ethical standards of the counseling profession, and abides by the laws, policies, and procedures set forth by Winchester Community Mental Health Center, Inc.

Supervisor: Clinical Director/Lead Clinical Supervisor/ In-Home Clinical Supervisor

Job Duties and responsibilities:
• Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, and help them to develop insight into themselves and their relationships.
• Guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems.
• Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
• Counsel clients to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes.
• Collect information about clients through interviews and observation.
• Act as client advocates in order to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
• Learn about new developments in their field by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, and establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs and clients’ progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
• Plan, organize and lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation and social activities for clients.
• Modify treatment activities and approaches as needed in order to comply with changes in clients’ status.

Minimum Education: Must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a human services field form an accredited college or university; a minimum of one year experience providing mental health treatment to troubled children and families.

Knowledge/Skills/Qualifications: Ability to listen effectively; knowledge of child and adolescent development; knowledge of factors which may contribute to family dysfunction; knowledge of principles and techniques of youth and family counseling; knowledge of principles and techniques of basic interviewing and assessment skills knowledge of behavioral management techniques; general knowledge of community resources and services; knowledge of crisis intervention strategies; good problem solving skills; ability to maintain effective working relationship with other social services providers, service purchasers, and clients; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.