A Mental or Behavioral Health Counselor works with patients to treat mental health problems. Assesses patients and assists with diagnosis, counseling and crisis intervention. Consults with nurses, doctors and psychiatrists. May work with specific populations, such as youth, senior citizens or substance abusers, in group settings, facilities or hospitals.
The School Counselor provides comprehensive social, emotional, and mental health support services to Pomfret School students. This position is vital to promoting a healthy, inclusive, and supportive campus environment, ensuring that students have the psychological resources and coping strategies necessary to thrive academically, socially, and personally within our independent school community.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, and mental health assessments to students. Develop, implement, and facilitate support groups and wellness programming focused on adolescent development and mental health awareness. Collaborate closely with faculty, advisors, health center staff, and parents to support students of concern while maintaining appropriate clinical confidentiality. Coordinate external referrals to specialized mental health practitioners and treatment facilities when necessary. Participate actively in the School's multi-disciplinary student support team meetings. Continually strive to improve and enhance processes and systems within the Counseling Department. Adhere to all School policies as outlined in the Employee Handbook. Continually meet or exceed Pomfret School's Standards of Behavior, Character, and Engagement. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Counseling or school leadership. Management of medical leaves and participation in Safe Haven Participation in co-curricular programming (QUEST, sex ed) and sometimes these are occur on a Saturday morning On-call during structured rotation for crisis response - with the 3 clinician model is 2-3 times per week.
Requirements:
Education:
Master's degree or higher in School Counseling, Social Work (MSW), Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or a closely related field is required.
FERPA/HIPAA
knowledge and mandated reporter status
Licensure:
Valid state licensure or certification in Connecticut (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or certified School Counselor) is required.
Experience:
Minimum of 3-5 years of counseling experience, preferably within a secondary school setting or with an adolescent population.
Skills:
Strong clinical, communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills; deep understanding of adolescent developmental psychology, cultural competency, and crisis management protocols. Experience with specific therapy modalities (CBT, DBT, trauma-informed) or ongoing treatment planning
Work Conditions:
This position operates within an active, vibrant secondary school campus environment. Responsibilities involve regular sitting, standing, walking across campus terrain to attend meetings, and maintaining a high level of mental alertness. Standard academic year hours are required, along with occasional evening or weekend on-call responsibilities to handle urgent student needs. This position is a day/commuter role and does not include campus housing.
