Counselor - Clinical Treatment and Planning

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in Virginia is seeking a Counselor II to coordinate comprehensive treatment plans, assess clinical needs, and deliver individual therapy for children and adolescents. The clinician will lead groups and ensure plans comply with timeframes, hospital policy, and CMS/TJC standards.

Minimum qualifications include a Master’s in Counseling and a Virginia LPC license; experience in inpatient or acute psychiatric settings and trauma-informed

Qualifications

• Clinical theories and evidence-based practices for children and adolescents.
• Experience with inpatient, residential, or acute psychiatric settings preferred.
• Crisis intervention and safety planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate comprehensive and individualized treatment plans.
• Provide group interventions and direct clinical services.
• Deliver individual therapy and ensure plans meet timelines and policy standards.

Skills

CBT

DBT-informed

Unified Protocol

Trauma-informed care

Motivational interviewing

Group interventions

Education

Masters Degree in Counseling

Virginia LPC Licensure

Job description

Title:

Counselor - Clinical Treatment and Planning

State Role Title:

Counselor II

Hiring Range:

Starting Pay from $70,701 - $97,567 per year

Pay Band:

4

Agency:

Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location:

Comm Ctr for Child & Adoles

Agency Website:

https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/ccca/

Recruitment Type:

General Public - G

Job Duties

The clinician in this role serves as a key clinical member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, responsible for coordinating comprehensive and individualized treatment plans, assessment of clinical need, providing group interventions, and delivering individual therapy. This role ensures treatment plans are completed within required timeframes, meet hospital policy and TJC/CMS standards, and reflect individualized goals, objectives, and interventions. The clinician collaborates closely with all team members to support timely reviews, updates, and revisions to treatment plans, while also facilitating therapeutic groups and providing direct clinical services to individuals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Clinical theories and evidence‑based practices applicable to children and adolescents, including their use in both individual and group therapy (e.g., Unified Protocol, CBT, DBT‑informed approaches, trauma‑informed care, motivational interviewing, and skills‑based group interventions).
• Psychiatric diagnoses and symptom presentation across developmental stages, including co‑occurring disorders.
• Risk assessment and safety planning, including suicide risk, self‑harm, aggression, and vulnerability.
• Crisis intervention principles and de‑escalation strategies in an inpatient setting.
• Treatment planning standards, including goal development, measurable objectives, and intervention planning consistent with TJC/CMS requirements.
• Interdisciplinary team processes, including roles of psychiatry, nursing, psychology, social work, and education.
• Documentation standards for medical records, including legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements.
• Family systems and engagement strategies, including working with guardians, DSS, and community providers.
• Cultural humility and trauma‑informed care principles.
• Confidentiality laws, including HIPAA and state regulations governing minors.

Education Requirements

Mater's Degree from an accredited College or University in Counseling. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a closely related Human Services field that meets the educational requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensure in Virginia. Current unrestricted Virginia LPC License or ability to obtain LPC within 3 months of hire.

Additional Considerations

• Experience providing therapy in inpatient, residential, or acute psychiatric settings.
• Training or certification in evidence‑based practices (e.g., Unified Protocol, CBT, DBT‑informed approaches, trauma‑informed care).
• Experience with crisis intervention, safety planning, and interdisciplinary treatment teams.

• 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific “barrier” crimes or persons who may be the subject of pending “barrier” charges.

DBHDS facilities are no longer required to ensure that all staff members are vaccinated against COVID-19. However, facilities encourage and educate staff on the benefits, and continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination programs to staff, residents/clients. Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS, to get their Certificate of Disability. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at [phone] for assistance.

Contact Information

Name: John Lee

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.