Mental Health Counselor Lead - 2025800

World Relief•Chicago, IL

39d•Hybrid

About The Position

World Relief seeks a Bilingual (Spanish) Mental Health Counselor who provides culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate mental health services to refugees and immigrants through individual, family, and group counseling and provides clinical consultation to auxilary programs. This role delivers clinical assessment, treatment, and ongoing support to promote emotional well-being and stability. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the counselor collaborates with colleagues to provide holistic, client-centered care through wellness, prevention, and supportive services. The counselor also facilitates therapy and wellness groups, which serve as key interventions in helping clients build resilience, achieve stability, and successfully integrate into their communities over the long term. Hybrid Work Schedule: 1 day onsite and 4 work from home days

Requirements

Mature and personal Christian faith
Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs , Statement of Faith , Christian Identity and National Association of Evangelicals' For the Health of The Nation document
Valid drivers license, access to reliable vehicle and ability to pass MVR standards
Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or other relevant behavioral health field and two years of postgraduate direct service delivery experience.
Currently licensed or license eligible in respective field and in the State of Illinois (to include but not limited to LPC, LCPC, LSW, LCSW)
Fluency in Spanish required.
Demonstrated ability to adapt therapeutic interventions and counseling approaches to meet the cultural, linguistic, and individual needs of diverse client populations.
Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative solution-development skills, with the ability to respond effectively to complex client situations.
Ability to conduct risk assessments related to suicide, self-harm, domestic violence, and other behavioral health concerns.
Proficiency in utilizing telehealth platforms and maintaining accurate electronic documentation, with strong computer literacy and keyboarding skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Proficiency in Canva for creating educational materials, presentations, outreach resources, and workshop content.
Experience using SharePoint for document management, collaboration, information sharing, and organizational communication.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage a caseload, prioritize tasks, and meet documentation deadlines.
Highly adaptable and flexible, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving work environment while managing competing priorities effectively.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying trauma-informed care principles and leveraging client strengths, resilience, and protective factors throughout the treatment process is strongly preferred
Ability to learn to adapt therapeutic approach to cultural context
Experience or interest in being trained in trauma-informed principles and building on the strengths and resilience of clients during treatment
Good problem solving and creative thinking skills
Proficiency with using telehealth platforms and moderate computer literacy & typing skills; familiarity with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint a plus
Adaptability: eager to work in a challenging, fluid and often changing environment

Responsibilities

This role is responsible for supervising others and includes responsibilities consistent with supervising employees, including but not limited to monitoring daily work activities, tracking and approving timesheets including approving time off, monitoring performance including entering goals, progress check-ins, and weekly or bi-weekly check-ins, documenting performance concerns, entering staff promotions, transitions, and separations in HRIS within required time frame.
Managers at World Relief are also considered spiritual leaders and are expected to lead staff in a manner consistent with our Christian values, including but not limited to praying with staff, leading devotionals, and fostering a Christian environment in interactions with staff throughout World Relief.
Conduct client intake interviews and comprehensive assessments to identify needs and inform treatment planning.
Establish and maintain positive, trusting, and culturally responsive therapeutic relationships with clients.
Collaborate with clients to develop individualized treatment plans, including measurable goals and objectives tailored to their unique circumstances.
Provide counseling and therapeutic interventions that align with client goals, strengths, and cultural backgrounds.
Continuously evaluate client progress, adjust treatment approaches as needed, and provide ongoing support and care.
Deliver crisis intervention services and appropriate referrals when necessary.
Maintain strict confidentiality and ensure compliance with all HIPAA policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
Partner with World Relief staff and external organizations to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate wellness programs, psychoeducational workshops, and community-based services that promote overall well-being.
Supports referrals and follow-up for continuity of care.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and county agencies to ensure continuity of care and access to supportive resources.
Work closely with the Counseling Center Manager, and with the oversight of the Counseling Center Director to develop, implement, and evaluate new program initiatives, including group therapy services, while continuously enhancing service quality and effectiveness.
Contribute expertise, clinical knowledge, and professional development resources to a multidisciplinary team environment.
Participate regularly in internal and external trainings to maintain professional competencies and uphold high-quality service standards.
Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough client records, including case files, treatment documentation, progress notes, and all required administrative paperwork.
Coordinate a work schedule in collaboration with the Counseling Center Manager to meet client needs, including availability during two weekday evenings or one weekday evening and one weekend day as required.