Overview

Job Title: Counselor - Behavioral Health (MS Licensed, Full-Time Day)
Location: Riley Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
Schedule: Full-Time Day Shift

Position Overview:

The Behavioral Health Counselor MS facilitates patient involvement in treatment and education within a multidisciplinary environment. Responsibilities include conducting individual, group, and family counseling, performing utilization review, discharge planning, and collaborating closely with the healthcare team to ensure safe, timely, and effective patient care. The counselor also serves as a key resource and liaison in cases of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and complex placements such as guardianship and foster care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct face-to-face (or telehealth, if applicable) individual, group, and family counseling sessions.
• Perform utilization review and discharge planning to support safe, effective patient transitions.
• Collaborate with healthcare team members to coordinate care and ensure 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 skills.
• 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 and therapeutic interventions.
• Serve as a primary contact and resource in cases involving child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence.
• Act as liaison between Indiana University Health and local protective services (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 through clinical leadership and de-escalation techniques.
• Ensure a safe, therapeutic environment and facilitate daily activities and programming.
• Develop and sustain 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: 3-5 years of relevant healthcare, mental health, or community-based experience.
• Licensure: Current Indiana license in one of the following:
  • LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAC, or HSPP.
• Certifications:
  • Crisis intervention certification required within 90 days of hire.
  • BLS certification required within 30 days of hire.
• Knowledge & Skills:
  • Psychosocial assessment, therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention expertise.
  • Knowledge of evidence-based practices (CBT, MI, DBT).
  • Familiarity with 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.
  • Proficiency in Electronic Medical Records and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with patients, families, and community partners.

Additional Information:

• Full-time, day shift schedule.
• Location: Riley Hospital, Indianapolis, IN.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary mental health setting with a focus on patient-centered care.

Join our dedicated team and help deliver compassionate, effective mental health services to our patients.

To learn more about our benefits, visit: IU Health Benefits

Interested?
Apply today to become part of our committed healthcare team.