Substance Abuse Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

The Substance Abuse Counselor, under the guidance of the Mental Health Department Manager, will provide specialized counseling and therapeutic services to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. The role includes conducting assessments, creating individualized treatment plans, and delivering both individual and group therapy to youth in need. The Substance Abuse Counselor will focus on evidence-based treatment modalities tailored to youth and adolescents, educating, providing resources, and supporting recovery. This position will emphasize behavioral substitution, trigger identification, and risk management within the client's environment. The position will also involve relapse prevention emphasize behavioral substitution, trigger identification, and risk management within the client's environment. The position will also involve relapse prevention strategies to help youth identify and manage triggers and cravings, including facilitating group therapy sessions such as AA/NA.

The salary for this position includes a 35% premium while employed at the Juvenile Detention Facility. Starting salary: $88,425.00.

Required Tasks

• Conduct assessments and screenings using standardized substance abuse screening tools to assess substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Develop and update individualized treatment plans based on needs, goals and challenges of youth within their setting and their environment within the community.
• Provide individual counseling to youth who meet criteria for substance abuse or co-occurring disorders to address SUD issues, including exploring causes and development of coping strategies.
• Facilitate group therapy to offer peer support, psychoeducation, and a structured environment for recovery, including AA/NA programming.
• Facilitate relapse prevention planning.
• Apply therapeutic modalities and interventions to help youth achieve and maintain sobriety and eliminate risk factors associated with substance abuse.
• Interact with young people to provide education, resources and support on substance abuse, recovery processes, and available community resources.
• Maintain confidentiality and youth records, including documentation in a timely manner.
• Educate and encourage behavioral substitution.
• Work with youth to develop coping skills for substance abuse recovery, including identifying and managing triggers.
• Participate in professional development.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related human services field, AND at least 4 years of post-graduate experience providing substance abuse treatment, counseling, assessments, and developing treatment plans and an active Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential. CADC-DP allowed. Applicants with a development plan must have an active status with at least two years available prior to expiration;

OR

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related human services field, Licensed by the State of Michigan as a LISW, LCSW, LMHC, LMSW, LPC, LPCC licensure, AND at least 2 years of post-licensure experience providing substance abuse treatment, counseling, assessments, and developing treatment plans, and an active CADC or CAADC credential. CADC-DP or CAADC-DP allowed. Applicants with a development plan must have an active status with at least two years available prior to expiration.

Special Conditions:
Candidates must obtain MDHHS Central Registry clearance and Children's Protective Services History clearance, as well as any state that the candidate has lived in outside of Michigan.