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.
Overview / Job Summary Join our team as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Therapist, where you will serve as the primary clinician for South Mississippi Mental Health Center's Employee Assistance Program, delivering solution-focused, short-term assessment and counseling services to employees and their eligible household members referred through contracted employer partner organizations. In addition to EAP responsibilities, this position provides ongoing outpatient therapy services to assigned or scheduled traditional clients in accordance with DMH standards and agency caseload needs. You will work within a collaborative environment that emphasizes compassionate care, and clinical excellence. Your expertise will equip clients with the tools and strategies they need to navigate challenges, enhance their overall well-being, and successfully reach their personal goals through personalized therapeutic approaches.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide short-term, solution-focused clinical assessments (typically 1-8 sessions) to employees and eligible household members of contracted employer organizations experiencing personal, work-related, or behavioral health concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, grief, relationship difficulties, and workplace conflict. Conduct structured intake assessments to identify presenting concerns, risk factors, and appropriate level of care; develops individualized short-term assistance plans based on clinical findings. Deliver evidence-based brief counseling interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and solution-focused techniques appropriate to EAP time-limited models. Provide accurate and timely referrals to community-based resources, specialist providers, or ongoing outpatient services when client needs exceed the EAP scope of care; coordinates warm handoffs as clinically appropriate. Conduct follow-up and limited aftercare monitoring with EAP clients and receiving providers to ensure continuity of care, safety, and treatment adherence. Provide management consultation services to supervisors, HR professionals, and organizational leadership on work-related behavioral health concerns, performance issues, and troubled employee situations, in compliance with EAP confidentiality requirements. Conduct Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) services, including on-site crisis triage, defusing, and group debriefings following traumatic workplace events, losses, or disasters. Design and deliver workplace wellness trainings, lunch-and-learn sessions, webinars, and psychoeducational presentations to employees and management on topics such as stress management, mental health awareness, substance abuse prevention, and work-life balance. Facilitate formal supervisor/manager referrals (Formal Supervisory Referrals / Mandatory Referrals) and maintain appropriate documentation in compliance with EAP protocols and employer contract requirements. Maintain strict dual-client confidentiality standards, adhering to both general HIPAA requirements and the heightened confidentiality obligations of EAP service delivery, particularly with regard to employer partner relationships. Accurately document all EAP clinical contacts, case notes, authorization requests, and utilization data within required timeframes using the Center's EAP case management system. Represent the Center professionally in employer partner site visits, health fairs, employee orientation programs, and outreach activities to promote EAP service awareness and access. Pursue or maintain certification as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) in accordance with Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) standards or demonstrate active progress toward certification. Carry an assigned caseload of traditional outpatient therapy clients as directed by the supervisor, providing individual, group, and family therapy in compliance with DMH standards and agency service delivery requirements. Maintain case record documentation for traditional clients that is adequate, appropriate, complete, and timely in accordance with DMH requirements and agency policy. Provide clinical supervision coverage for day treatment programs when assigned. Serves as a lead or back-up emergency on-call person when requested to do so (annually at a minimum). Pursue ongoing professional licensure, clinical training, and continuing education in alignment with state requirements and agency expectations. Complete annual training in compliance with DMH standards. Complete all additional duties as assigned by supervisor.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES
: Demonstrated knowledge of EAP core technology, including short-term assessment and referral models, management consultation, critical incident response, and solution focused modalities. Strong working knowledge of the current DSM for diagnostic assessment across both EAP and traditional outpatient contexts. Knowledge of workplace behavioral health issues, including occupational stress, substance use in the workplace, ADA and FMLA implications, and employee performance concerns. Excellent time management, organizational, and prioritization skills; ability to manage parallel caseloads across EAP and traditional outpatient service lines. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and rapport-building skills; ability to establish therapeutic alliance quickly within brief contact models. Ability to deliver engaging and effective training, presentations, and psychoeducational content to diverse employee and management audiences. Proficiency with electronic health records and EAP case management documentation systems. Satisfactory completion of CPR prior to reporting to the work site. Satisfactory completion of CPI within 30 days of employment. Valid driver's license and current auto liability insurance; ability to transport clients in personal vehicle when necessary.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
: Required Master's degree in behavioral science, social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution. Clinical licensure in the State of Mississippi (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or equivalent) or eligibility for certification through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Preferred Current Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) credential or demonstrated progress toward CEAP certification through the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA). Minimum of two (2) years of post-graduate clinical experience in an EAP, outpatient mental health, or behavioral health workplace wellness setting. Previous experience providing management consultation, critical incident response, or organizational wellness services. Previous experience working with individuals presenting with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) in a treatment setting. Join us in creating lasting change by offering compassionate mental health support that empowers and transforms lives!
Pay:
$49,920.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance Application Question(s): Do you hold a Clinical licensure in the State of Mississippi (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or equivalent) or eligibility for certification through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.
Education:
Master's (Required)
Experience:
Mental health counseling: 2 years (Preferred) Crisis management: 2 years (Preferred) EHR systems: 1 year (Required)
