Autism-Spectrum Student Mental Health Counselor

Gersh Autism; West Hempstead (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Gersh Autism in West Hempstead, NY, is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Counselor to support students aged 5–21 with comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, individual and group therapy, and crisis intervention. You will strengthen emotional and social growth within a supportive educational setting.

The role requires developing long- and short-term plans aligned with each student’s goals, collaborating with families and healthcare providers, and maintaining thorough documentation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of relevant experience required.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Psychologist; (LSMW, LCSW, LMHC)
• Extensive knowledge of therapeutic treatment techniques and interventions.
• Experience in therapeutic modalities related to young adults/adults including assessment and treatment of trauma.
• Experience working with adults and/or young adults on the autism spectrum.
• Must have both strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students to understand and articulate their feelings clearly and accurately.
• Guide students to understand the causes and effects of behaviors.
• Counsel students to develop insight into themselves and their relationships.
• Encourage students to identify and utilize appropriate coping strategies for negative feelings.
• Counsel students on how to proceed and/or maintain focus through ambiguity, uncertainty and change.
• Collect information about students through interviews, observation, or tests to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.
• Guide students in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
• Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
• Monitor students' use of medications.
• Perform crisis interventions with students.
• Act as student advocate to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in students' status.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on students' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
• Meet with families, other mental health and health care providers, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during treatment.
• Conducts assessments and evaluations in accordance with student goals
• Develop long-term and short-term intervention plans consistent with curriculum; students’ needs, strengths, diversity and life experiences; and social and emotional factors.
• Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting students or patients.
• Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.
• Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy and refer students and family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
• Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to students' treatment.
• Complete and maintain student-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, student diagnostic records, and progress notes

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Trauma experience

Autism experience

Therapy modalities

Education

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Mental Health Counselor

Psychologist

Job description

Gersh Autism in West Hempstead, NY, is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Counselor to support students aged 5–21 with comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, individual and group therapy, and crisis intervention. You will strengthen emotional and social growth within a supportive educational setting.

The role requires developing long- and short-term plans aligned with each student’s goals, collaborating with families and healthcare providers, and maintaining thorough documentation.