Residential Counselor

ABHS•Lancaster, OH

23d•$55,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Counselor provides direct support to clients in the Mental Health Residential Treatment setting. This role is designed for emerging professionals with a bachelor’s degree or in the final stages of completing coursework in social work, psychology or a related field who wish to gain hands on clinical experience. The Residential Counselor assists with direct care support, group facilitation, case management, risk assessment and crisis intervention, while contributing to a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services field (Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, etc.).
Associate’s degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university in a human services field.
At least 3 years of experience in a mental health or human services setting (for Associate's Degree/60 Credits Track).
High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 5 years of documented experience in a mental health or human services setting (for High School Diploma Track).
Trauma-informed and strength-Based Approach
Crisis de-escalation and intervention skills
Risk assessment and safety monitoring
Effective communication and documentation
Collaborative and team-oriented mindset
Commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth

Responsibilities

Assist with ongoing case management tasks, including coordinating appointments, maintaining communication with providers, and supporting discharge/aftercare planning.
Transport clients safely to and from appointments, community activities and recovery related outings, maintaining professionalism and therapeutic rapport.
Support clients in developing daily living skills, self-care routines, and household responsibilities consistent with treatment goals.
Document all client interactions, observations, and incidents accurately and timely in accordance with program and licensing standards.
Co-facilitate psychoeducational, skills-based and process groups under clinical supervision (e.g., DBT, mindfulness, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, ADL skill building).
Assist clients with setting and achieving recovery goals.
Support clients with developing and achieving treatment plan goals and documenting progress as needed.
Conduct ongoing behavioral observations and report relevant information to the clinical team for treatment planning.
Participate in the completion of risk assessments (e.g., C-SSRS, SAFE-T) under supervision to monitor client safety and risk status.
Assist with crisis de-escalation and intervention, utilizing trauma-informed communication, grounding techniques and emergency protocols when necessary.
Provide supportive one-on-one check-ins to reinforce coping skills, emotional regulation and safety planning within the scope of training.
Maintain structure and consistency within the daily schedule, ensuring adherence to treatment programming and program guidelines.
Foster a positive, recovery-oriented community by modeling healthy communication, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution skills.
Support the upkeep of the home environment by assisting clients with chores, meal preparation, and maintaining cleanliness in shared spaces.
Ensure the facility is maintained in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
Monitor self-administration of medication as per program policy and report any deviations or safety concerns to the supervising staff immediately.
Engage in supervision and ongoing training to enhance professional competence and clinical judgment.
Demonstrate openness to feedback, willingness to learn, and commitment to developing skills in strength-based communication, risk management, and crisis response.
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team—including therapists, medical staff, and BHTs—to ensure continuity and quality of care.
Uphold confidentiality, ethical standards, and all company policies and procedures.