Church Counselor

Trace Church•Colorado Springs, CO

1d•$57,800 - $62,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Church Counselor serves as a primary point of care for individuals and families navigating emotional, relational, and mental health challenges. This role exists at the intersection of professional clinical practice and pastoral ministry — bringing both licensed competence and biblical grounding to bear on the full spectrum of human need. The Counselor leads Trace's counseling response, providing initial assessment and short-term care while building and maintaining a robust referral network of outside professionals, support groups, and internal ministries. This role helps ensure that no one who reaches out for help falls through the cracks, and that every person is connected to the right level of care at the right time.

Requirements

Deep, personal faith in Jesus Christ and full alignment with Trace's mission, values, and statement of faith.
Active state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or equivalent.
Master's or doctoral degree in counseling, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or a related field from an accredited institution.
Minimum of 3–5 years of clinical experience, including work with trauma, crisis, grief, and family systems.
Demonstrated integration of biblical and theological foundations within clinical counseling practice.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to create a warm, safe, and confidential environment for those seeking care.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple cases, systems, and relationships simultaneously.
Knowledge of community mental health resources, support groups, and referral networks.
Ability to work collaboratively with pastoral staff, ministry leaders, and outside professionals.
Flexibility to work some evenings for counseling appointments as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a church, faith-based nonprofit, or ministry context strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide professional, biblically-informed counseling for individuals, couples, and families presenting with a wide range of needs including trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, marriage and family conflict, and crisis intervention.
Conduct initial intake assessments to determine the nature and severity of presenting needs and identify the appropriate level of care.
Deliver short-term, solution-focused counseling (typically 2–5 sessions) while developing a clear care pathway for each person.
Maintain accurate, confidential clinical records in compliance with HIPAA and applicable state licensure requirements.
Provide crisis support and safety planning for acute mental health situations, coordinating with emergency services when necessary.
Build and maintain a curated network of licensed Christian and licensed secular counselors, psychiatrists, and specialists for long-term or specialized referrals.
Connect individuals to appropriate internal and external support groups, recovery programs, and care ministries based on their specific needs.
Serve as the bridge between pastoral care, small groups, and professional services — ensuring holistic, coordinated support for each person.
Follow up with individuals after referrals to ensure connection was made and care is continuing.
Partner with the pastoral team to identify congregants who may need proactive outreach or care.
Develop and oversee a comprehensive counseling ministry infrastructure including intake processes, referral systems, care pathways, and volunteer lay counseling support.
Recruit, train, and resource a team of lay care volunteers or Stephen Ministers to extend the reach of pastoral care throughout the congregation.
Identify gaps in available care resources and propose new support group offerings, classes, or partnerships to meet those needs.
Collaborate with ministry leaders to ensure care ministry is integrated into the life of the church rather than siloed.
Launch and oversee groups for recovery, grief, divorce, anxiety, trauma, and more.
Recruit and train facilitators (lay and licensed).
Evaluate curricula like Celebrate Recovery, GriefShare, and DivorceCare.
Integrate groups into the broader care pathway.
Assess group health and outcomes over time.
Operate from a biblically grounded, theologically informed approach to counseling that honors both clinical best practices and the authority of Scripture.
Collaborate closely with the pastoral team, participating in staff prayer, care team meetings, and spiritual formation rhythms of the church.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while functioning as a minister — praying with those in care, offering spiritual encouragement, and pointing people toward the local church community.
Manage counseling scheduling, intake forms, consent documentation, and case notes through an appropriate practice management or church management system.
Ensure all counseling practices comply with state licensure requirements, ethical codes (ACA, AACC, or equivalent), and applicable law.
Track referral outcomes and care connections to evaluate effectiveness and identify gaps.
Manage a counseling ministry budget with fiscal responsibility and good stewardship.
Attend annual team retreats and informal team gatherings for relational health.
Live out and champion Trace's Cultural Distinctives.
Participate in a Small Group and actively tithe to Trace Church.