High School Mental Health Counselor, LPC or LCSW required

EQA Schools•New Orleans, LA

30d

About The Position

Educators for Quality Alternatives (EQA) seeks a highly skilled counselor to provide individual and group counseling to high school students and lead the school’s trauma-informed approach. EQA serves students who have struggled academically or behaviorally, and many students have behavioral health needs or have experienced trauma. The counselor joins a multidisciplinary team and works within a school culture based on restorative approaches. The role includes assessing student needs, connecting students and families to resources, designing and delivering interventions, managing crisis prevention and response, supporting and training staff, and maintaining program accountability. The counselor also serves on the School Based Level Committee, coordinates wraparound services with community providers, supports dropout intervention programs, and continually develops their professional practice. The role is located at 6601 Franklin Avenue and reports to the Principal. The anticipated start date is July 2026. Salary is commensurate with experience. EQA offers comprehensive benefits and retirement.

Requirements

LCSW or LPC required; all Louisiana certification or licensure must be in good standing.
5–10+ years of experience effectively counseling adolescents with mental health, behavioral health, and trauma issues.
Experience with restorative approaches, SAMHSA’s 6 Principles of Trauma-Informed Approaches, and effective, culturally responsive interventions for adolescents with CPTSD.
Passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and participating in a strong, mission-driven team.
Commitment to EQA’s mission, vision, and growth.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and build effective partnerships.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Careful, detail-oriented data, file, and information management.
Flexible, learning-oriented mindset focused on effective and innovative problem solving.
Commitment to continual professional growth and servant leadership.
Authorization to work in the United States is required; EQA does not sponsor employment visas.
Must meet Louisiana public-school eligibility requirements through appropriate background checks.

Nice To Haves

Experience in schools is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Assess student needs through psycho-social assessments, functional behavior assessments, and other appropriate assessment methods.
Complete psycho-social assessments for every student each semester, using current research and DSM V to assess student needs.
Maintain electronic and paper assessment records and share information appropriately while observing confidentiality requirements.
Research and vet community resources, develop provider partnerships, coordinate referrals, track outcomes, and advocate for students and families.
Design interventions for students, parents, and staff, including supports for students with IEPs, 504s, and BIPs.
Serve on the School Based Level Committee to review student needs and make decisions about interventions, placements, and supports.
Manage short- and long-term counseling caseloads and ensure students have treatment plans and make progress toward them.
Provide individual counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy or other best practices.
Design and provide group counseling on needs such as grief, trauma, substance abuse, conflict resolution, and anger management.
Engage families through home visits, mediation, and other participation in students’ growth and development.
Provide services that build on students’ strengths and assets and support their agency, healing, and growth.
Develop crisis plans with students, families, and staff, and train students and staff to respond to crises safely and restoratively.
Design and provide staff training on trauma-informed care, mental health issues, best practices, and secondary trauma.
Consult with staff and leaders on attendance, confidentiality, ethnicity and diversity, mental health, behavioral management, discipline, crisis intervention, and child abuse and neglect.
Develop evaluation systems and collect and analyze data to support evidence-based decisions and monitor student progress.
Maintain appropriate communication and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, FERPA, state law, and school policy.
Conform to the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work practice.
Set student-development and professional-growth goals; reflect on work, seek and use feedback, and participate in professional development.
Contribute to the school’s collegial community and the continual development of its curriculum, culture, and program.
Support dropout intervention programs and coordinate wraparound services with community service providers.