Contracted Counselor II

Center for Racial & Health Equity LLC; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 30,307 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Flexible schedule

Opportunities for advancement

Training & development

Wellness resources

Job summary

Center for Research & Health Equity (CRHE) seeks a Counselor II contractor to provide behavioral health services under clinical supervision within outpatient programs (OP, IOP, PHP) in Delaware. Services are delivered in person at approved CRHE locations, with telehealth options after orientation and approvals.

The role emphasizes progressive independence, supervision, and adherence to DSAMH standards, with evening/weekend availability as needed and a pathway toward licensure.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or related field.
• Eligibility for provisional licensure in Delaware or willingness to pursue under supervision.
• Experience working with adults with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of DSAMH regulatory expectations and ASAM criteria.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervised behavioral health services across OP, IOP, and PHP.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with clients and supervisors.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and risk assessments.
• Coordinate discharge planning and continuity of care with community providers.

Skills

Clinical assessment

DSM-5-TR knowledge

Integrated treatment

Crisis intervention

Trauma‑informed

Recovery‑oriented care

Clinical interviewing

Treatment planning

Clinical documentation

Therapeutic communication

EHR systems

Tele-behavioral health

MS Office

Secure messaging

Education

Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Eligibility for provisional licensure in Delaware

Experience with adults with mental health and SUD

DSAMH regulatory familiarity

Pennsylvania licensure preferred for expansion

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems

Tele-behavioral health technology

Microsoft Office

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Flexible schedule
• Opportunity for advancement
• Training & development
• Wellness resources
• Counselor II
• Independent Contractor (1099)

Position Information

• Department: Clinical Services
• Employment Classification: Independent Contractor (1099)
• Reports To: Clinical Supervisor

Program Assignment

• Outpatient Behavioral Health Services (OP)
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Primary Practice Location

Delaware

Work Arrangement

Counselor II contractors primarily provide services in person from approved CRHE clinical locations.

Tele-behavioral health services may be provided only after successful completion of CRHE telehealth orientation, demonstration of competency, supervisory approval, and authorization under CRHE Telehealth Policies and Procedures, applicable payer requirements, and Delaware regulations. Telehealth services shall be provided only from approved CRHE clinical locations.

Compensation

• $26.00 per clinical hour
• Compensation is based upon completed billable clinical services in accordance with the executed Independent Contractor Agreement, CRHE policies and procedures, and payer requirements.

Schedule

• This is a variable-hour independent contractor position.

Clinical Schedules

Clinical schedules are established collaboratively between CRHE and the contractor based upon:

• Contractor availability
• Client demand
• Program assignment
• Organizational priorities
• Referral volume

Evening and occasional weekend availability may be requested to improve client access to care.

About CRHE

The Center for Research & Health Equity (CRHE) is an integrated behavioral healthcare organization dedicated to expanding equitable access to comprehensive mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorder treatment. Through culturally responsive care, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community partnerships, CRHE seeks to improve behavioral health outcomes while addressing the social and structural factors influencing health and recovery.

CRHE provides outpatient behavioral health services, intensive outpatient programming (IOP), partial hospitalization programming (PHP), psychiatric medication management, integrated care coordination, and recovery-oriented services designed to promote long‑term wellness.

Position Summary

The Counselor II provides behavioral healthcare services under the clinical supervision of a Clinical Supervisor while demonstrating increasing independence, advanced clinical judgment, and expanded responsibility in the assessment and treatment of adults with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co‑occurring conditions.

The Counselor II delivers evidence‑based counseling services across outpatient (OP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP) programs while participating in clinical assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, interdisciplinary collaboration, utilization review, and care coordination. This position is intended for clinicians progressing toward independent professional licensure and assuming greater responsibility for complex clinical presentations while maintaining structured clinical supervision.

Regulatory Classification

This position is established in accordance with applicable Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) regulations governing licensed substance use disorder treatment facilities.

CRHE hiring standards may exceed minimum DSAMH regulatory requirements based upon organizational needs, payer credentialing standards, and the complexity of services provided.

Essential Functions

The Counselor II is responsible for providing supervised behavioral healthcare services that promote recovery, resilience, improved psychosocial functioning, and successful progression through the continuum of care.

Clinical Assessment

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments with increasing clinical independence.
• Gather psychiatric, behavioral, substance use, trauma, family, vocational, legal, medical, and psychosocial histories.
• Administer and interpret approved behavioral health screening instruments.
• Participate in diagnostic case formulation with supervising clinicians.
• Conduct suicide, homicide, abuse, neglect, and safety risk assessments using approved organizational tools.
• Participate in ASAM‑informed level‑of‑care recommendations.
• Reassess clients throughout treatment to evaluate clinical progress and ongoing service needs.
• Present complex clinical cases during supervision, interdisciplinary staffing, and case consultation meetings.

Treatment Planning

• Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients and supervising clinicians.
• Establish measurable, recovery‑oriented treatment goals and objectives.
• Conduct treatment plan reviews within organizational timeframes.
• Coordinate discharge planning and continuing care services.
• Collaborate with community providers to facilitate continuity of care.
• Participate in utilization review and medical necessity determinations as assigned.

Counseling Services

Provide behavioral healthcare services within the scope of education, supervision, and organizational policy, including:

• Individual counseling
• Family counseling
• Couples counseling (when clinically appropriate and supervised)
• Psychoeducational groups
• Process‑oriented psychotherapy groups
• Relapse prevention programming
• Recovery‑oriented counseling
• Crisis intervention
• Skills‑based behavioral health interventions

Evidence‑Based Interventions

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Trauma‑Informed Care
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)‑informed interventions
• Seeking Safety
• Solution‑Focused Therapy
• Person‑Centered Therapy
• Harm Reduction approaches, when clinically appropriate
• Integrated Behavioral Healthcare

Collaborations

• Licensed Clinicians
• Counselor I staff
• Qualified Psychiatric Practitioners
• Clinical Supervisors
• Case Management
• Peer Recovery Specialists
• Primary Care Providers
• Hospitals
• Community Behavioral Health Providers
• Referral Partners

Crisis Intervention

• Assess behavioral health crises under supervision.
• Develop and implement safety plans.
• Coordinate emergency evaluations and referrals when clinically indicated.
• Participate in crisis stabilization planning.
• Complete required documentation related to crisis intervention and critical incidents.

Documentation Responsibilities

• Comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments.
• Progress notes.
• DAP and/or SOAP documentation.
• Individualized treatment plans and reviews.
• Group psychotherapy documentation.
• Crisis intervention documentation.
• Discharge summaries.
• Referral documentation.
• Utilization review documentation.
• Critical incident reports.
• Other clinical documentation required by CRHE or applicable regulatory agencies.

Caseload Expectations

Counselor II contractors are expected to maintain a progressively larger and more clinically complex caseload than Counselor I contractors while continuing to receive structured supervision.

Caseload Assignment Determinants

• Clinical competency.
• Program assignment.
• Contractor availability.
• Client acuity and complexity.
• Organizational priorities.
• Supervisory recommendations.

Counselor II contractors are expected to demonstrate increasing independence in clinical decision‑making while recognizing situations requiring consultation or supervisory guidance.

Quality Improvement & Compliance

• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Participate in required clinical supervision.
• Support quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in documentation audits and peer review activities.
• Complete required organizational training.
• Report critical incidents, compliance concerns, and client safety issues in accordance with organizational policy.
• Practice in accordance with professional ethical standards, Delaware law, and CRHE policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• DSAMH Regulatory Requirements:
  • Applicants shall meet at least one of the following requirements:
  • Have less than five (5) years of experience working in the substance use disorder treatment field; or
  • Be a student enrolled in an approved course of study while completing a practicum or internship; or
  • Be actively working toward certification in addictions counseling or co‑occurring disorder counseling through the Delaware Certification Board or another nationally recognized credentialing organization.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • CRHE strongly prefers applicants who possess:
  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university in:
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Counseling
  • Social Work
  • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • or another related behavioral health discipline.
  • Eligibility for provisional professional licensure in Delaware, or willingness to pursue provisional licensure under CRHE clinical supervision.
  • Experience working with adults experiencing mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co‑occurring disorders.
  • Working knowledge of:
  • DSM-5-TR.
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria.
  • Evidence‑based behavioral health interventions.
  • Experience facilitating therapeutic groups.
  • Experience utilizing electronic health record systems.
  • Pennsylvania licensure or eligibility is preferred for future organizational expansion.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Clinical Knowledge:
  • Comprehensive behavioral health assessment.
  • DSM-5-TR diagnostic concepts.
  • Integrated treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.
  • Crisis assessment and intervention.
  • Trauma‑informed behavioral healthcare.
  • Recovery‑oriented systems of care.
  • Professional ethics.
  • Cultural responsiveness.
• Professional Skills:
  • Clinical interviewing.
  • Treatment planning.
  • Clinical documentation.
  • Therapeutic communication.
  • Time management.
  • Organization.
  • Professional consultation.
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Clinical judgment.
  • Receptiveness to supervision.
• Technical Skills:
  • Electronic Health Record documentation.
  • Tele‑behavioral health technology.
  • Microsoft Office applications.
  • Secure electronic communication systems.

Professional Expectations

• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, integrity, and sound clinical judgment.
• Practice within the scope of education, supervision, and organizational policy.
• Participate actively in clinical supervision.
• Demonstrate increasing independence while appropriately seeking consultation.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation.
• Promote culturally responsive, trauma‑informed, and recovery‑oriented care.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct.
• Support CRHE's mission, vision, and organizational values.

Contractor Opportunities

• Develop advanced clinical competencies in integrated behavioral healthcare.
• Provide services across OP, IOP, and PHP levels of care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and case consultation.
• Collaborate with Qualified Psychiatric Practitioners and Licensed Clinicians.
• Participate in organizational quality improvement initiatives.
• Continue progressing toward independent professional licensure.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of this position.

• The Counselor II must be able to:
• Sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach as necessary to perform clinical responsibilities.
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
• Utilize electronic health record systems and tele‑behavioral health technology.
• Perform behavioral health responsibilities within a professional clinical environment.
• Safely respond to behavioral health emergencies consistent with organizational policy.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Center for Research & Health Equity (CRHE) is committed to fostering a professional environment grounded in integrity, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and respect. CRHE recruits qualified professionals based upon demonstrated competency, education, experience, and organizational need. We are committed to developing an exceptional behavioral health workforce while delivering equitable, evidence‑based mental health and substance use treatment to the communities we serve.