The Mental Health Counselor provides individual and group counseling, education, and case management services to patients experiencing mental health and co-occurring conditions in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting. The counselor performs comprehensive assessments, develops and implements individualized treatment plans, and collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to support stabilization, recovery, and improved functioning while promoting overall emotional and physical well-being. This position serves as both a clinician and an educator, helping patients and families understand mental health conditions, treatment options, and available community resources. Additionally, the Mental Health Counselor will provide rapid, trauma-informed behavioral health assessment, crisis intervention, and stabilization services to individuals experiencing acute mental health and/or substance use crises. This position operates across hospital settings (Emergency Department, inpatient units) and the community, ensuring timely evaluation, risk management, and appropriate disposition planning in accordance with Wyoming Title 25 statutes.
- Minimum 2 years of experience providing mental health counseling or therapy in an outpatient, hospital, community mental health, or similar setting.
- Experience working with a range of mental health diagnoses (e.g., mood, anxiety, trauma-related, psychotic disorders) and, when applicable, co-occurring substance use disorders.
- Knowledge of evidence-based treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy skills, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
- Current Wyoming licensure or provisional licensure as a mental health professional (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or appropriate provisional license), or ability to obtain such licensure within established timeframes.
- Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or related human services field from an accredited program.
- Commitment to professional ethics, cultural humility, and patient-centered, recovery-oriented care
1. Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments, including biopsychosocial history, diagnostic impressions, and risk evaluations for suicide, self-harm, and harm to others.
2. Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients, families (when appropriate), and the treatment team.
3. Provide individual counseling using evidence-based interventions tailored to diagnosis, level of functioning, and patient goals.
4. Facilitate group therapy and psychoeducational groups focused on mental health conditions, coping skills, emotional regulation, and wellness strategies.
5. Provide brief family or couples sessions when indicated to support treatment goals and improve support systems.
6. Conduct ongoing assessment of symptoms, functioning, and progress toward goals, and modify treatment plans accordingly.
7. Coordinate care and make referrals to psychiatry, primary care, substance use services, crisis services, or higher levels of care when clinically indicated.
8. Participate in crisis intervention, including de-escalation, safety planning, and collaboration with emergency services under established policies and procedures.
9. Educate patients and families about mental health conditions, treatment options, medications (as appropriate to role), and community resources.
10. Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries, in accordance with regulatory, ethical, and organizational standards.
11. Protect patient confidentiality and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including HIPAA and relevant state rules.
12. Participate in clinical supervision, case consultation, and continuing education activities to maintain licensure and keep current with best practices.
13. Engage in quality improvement, outcome monitoring, and other program or grant-related activities as requested.
14. Demonstrate professional behavior, punctuality, and adherence to organizational Standards of Behavior in all interactions.
15. Perform emergency department psychiatric screenings and determine level of care needs.
16. Perform other related duties as assigned.
