Senior Counselor

GAAMHA•Athol, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

GAAMHA is seeking a Senior Counselor to provide high-quality clinical counseling and case coordination services while serving as a senior member of the Sunrise Ridge treatment team. This full-time role blends direct client care with leadership support, helping to ensure that services are compassionate, evidence-based, recovery-focused, and compliant with all applicable standards. The Senior Counselor provides individual and group counseling, supports treatment planning and crisis intervention, assists with admissions and discharges, coordinates care with outside providers and systems, and contributes to program development and documentation quality. In addition, this role helps support clinical operations by mentoring staff, reinforcing best practices, and collaborating closely with the Clinical Supervisor and program leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field preferred.
CADC, LADC, LMHC, LICSW or other relevant clinical licensure/certification is preferred; must hold or be eligible for substance use or mental health credentialing.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in substance use disorder counseling or residential treatment, preferably in a co-occurring treatment setting.
Knowledge of mutual aid support groups and commitment to a multiple pathways to recovery philosophy.
Strong communication, documentation, interpersonal, and crisis intervention skills.
Demonstrated cultural competence and commitment to confidentiality and ethical practice.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based clinical systems.
Valid driver’s license required.
Must pass CORI and Adam Walsh/DCF background checks.
Candidates with lived experience in recovery must have at least two years of continuous sobriety and are expected to maintain their sobriety throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with women, including pregnant and postpartum individuals, strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and group substance use disorder counseling to residents with co-occurring mental health needs.
Coordinate, implement, and evaluate individualized treatment plans, service plans, and recovery goals.
Conduct weekly individual counseling sessions and facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational groups using evidence-based curricula.
Maintain a caseload in response to program needs and varying levels of clinical support required.
Support residents in building sustainable recovery, improving self-sufficiency, and strengthening overall well-being.
Provide crisis intervention and clinical support during challenging situations.
Connect residents to community-based resources, including mental health, medical, recovery, parenting, and family support services.
Support residents in navigating legal, probation/parole, DCF, and other external service systems.
Assist with admissions, transitions, and discharges in accordance with program policies and procedures.
Help maintain a structured, compassionate, and accountable residential environment.
Assist with resident transportation as needed.
Serve as a senior clinical resource to staff by modeling best practices in counseling, documentation, and resident engagement.
Support onboarding, mentoring, and guidance of newer counselors, interns, or clinical staff as assigned.
Assist in reviewing treatment approaches, strengthening group curriculum, and promoting evidence-based, trauma-informed care.
Collaborate with the Clinical Supervisor and leadership team to maintain high standards of care and clinical consistency.
Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation.
Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies, including HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and mandated reporting requirements.
Support quality assurance efforts through strong documentation practices and adherence to program standards.
Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, and multidisciplinary team discussions.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with referral sources, service providers, and community agencies.
Represent GAAMHA and Sunrise Ridge in a professional, mission-driven manner.
Contribute to a positive, respectful, and recovery-oriented team culture.