Behavioral Health Counselor MS

Job Title: Behavioral Health Counselor, MS
Location: Riley Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
Schedule: Part-Time, set days with some flexibility

Position Overview:

The Behavioral Health Counselor MS facilitates patient involvement in treatment and education within a multidisciplinary environment. This role involves conducting individual, group, and family counseling, performing utilization review, discharge planning, and collaborating with healthcare team members to ensure safe, timely, and effective patient care. The counselor acts as a liaison in cases of abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, and provides critical mental health assessments and interventions, including crisis management and de-escalation techniques.

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate face-to-face (or telehealth) individual, group, and family counseling sessions.
• Perform utilization review and discharge planning to support safe patient transitions.
• Collaborate with all members of the healthcare team to coordinate care, ensuring patients and families receive necessary resources and education.
• Interpret and communicate complex patient and family needs; model caring and professional practices to staff.
• Assess psychosocial risk factors, including prior functioning, support systems, reactions to illness, and coping abilities.
• Counsel patients and families on emotional, social, and financial impacts of illness or disability.
• Access and mobilize community and family resources to meet patient needs.
• Conduct mental health assessments upon physician referral.
• Support complex discharge planning through therapeutic interventions.
• Serve as the primary contact in cases involving child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence.
• Act as liaison between Indiana University Health and local protective agencies (APS/CPS).
• Maintain principles and techniques of crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Provide intervention in guardianship, foster care, adoption, and mental health Level II placements.
• Deliver evidence-based practices such as CBT, MI, and DBT.
• Support individuals in crisis and support safety through clinical leadership and de-escalation techniques.
• Ensure a safe, therapeutic environment and facilitate daily activities and programming.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related mental health field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: 0-3 years relevant healthcare, mental health, or community-based experience preferred.
• Licensure: License-eligible in Indiana as an LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or LCAC. Must have a minimum of a permanent LSW, LMHC-A, or LMFT-A upon hire.
• Certifications:
  • Crisis intervention certification required (may be obtained after hire).
  • BLS certification may be required.
• Knowledge & Skills:
  • Psychosocial assessment, therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention expertise.
  • Knowledge of evidence-based practices (CBT, MI, DBT).
  • Understanding of state and county protective legal mandates.
  • Principles of growth and development across the lifespan, including end-of-life care.
  • Ability to create a safe, therapeutic environment and instruct patients in daily activities.
  • Basic proficiency in Electronic Medical Records and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

Additional Information: