IU Health·Avon, Indiana
The counselor provides individual, group, and family therapy while facilitating patient involvement in treatment and discharge planning. The role involves collaborating with healthcare teams and coordinating with protective services to manage high-risk psychosocial situations.
Position Title: Behavioral Health Counselor MS Licensed
The counselor provides ongoing individual, group, and family therapy within the behavioral health setting. This role focuses on facilitating patient involvement in treatment, discharge planning, and resource referral, supporting long-term therapeutic relationships. The position emphasizes collaboration with the healthcare team, crisis intervention, and addressing complex psychosocial needs, including working with protective services and managing high-risk situations. It is a resource referral role, not a practice model or case management.
Facilitate patient participation in treatment and educational activities. Conduct individual, group, and family counseling to support emotional and behavioral health. Perform functions related to utilization review and discharge planning. Collaborate with healthcare team members to ensure effective care and resource coordination. Interpret and communicate complex patient and family needs, modeling caring and professionalism. Assess psychosocial risk factors based on prior functioning, support systems, reactions to illness, and coping skills. Counsel patients and families on emotional, social, and financial impacts of illness or disability. Access and mobilize community and family resources to meet patient needs. Conduct mental health assessments upon physician referral and provide therapeutic interventions. Serve as a point person for cases involving child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence, coordinating with protective agencies. Maintain principles and techniques of crisis intervention and de-escalation. Provide intervention in guardianship, foster care, adoption, and mental health Level II placements. Deliver specialized mental health services, including crisis intervention, addiction assessments, and psychiatric recommendations. Support safety during dangerous or potentially violent situations, utilizing de-escalation techniques. Ensure a safe, therapeutic environment, including instruction of daily activities and programming. Maintain accurate documentation in electronic medical records and MS Office applications. Develop and maintain strong relationships with community partners, law enforcement, schools, and agencies.
& Requirements: Master’s Degree from an accredited college/university in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field. 3–5 years of relevant experience. Current licensure in Indiana as an LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT. Certification in crisis intervention (may be required). BLS certification (may be required). Knowledge of evidence-based practices such as CBT, MI, and DBT. Understanding of disease processes, human behavior, and legal mandates related to protective services. Ability to provide a safe, therapeutic environment and instruct patients in daily activities. Proficiency in Electronic Medical Records and MS Office. Ability to develop collaborative relationships with community agencies, medical teams, law enforcement, and protective services. Why IU Health? Join Indiana's leading healthcare system committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. We offer opportunities for professional development, a collaborative team environment, and a focus on improving community health.
Indiana University Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive health system, with 15 hospitals and nearly 40,000 team members serving Hoosiers across the state. We’re looking for team members who are inspired by challenging and meaningful work for the good of every patient. People who are compassionate and serve with a purpose. People who aspire to excellence every day.
Requires a Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology and current Indiana licensure as an LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT. Candidates should have 3-5 years of relevant experience and proficiency in evidence-based practices like CBT and DBT.
Market context
Indiana behavioral-health roles often see steady demand in schools, clinics, and community settings, especially for candidates with graduate training and an active associate-level license. These positions can be competitive because employers look for applicants who are already licensed in Indiana and are progressing toward full licensure. On this platform, the requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you review details faster; a practical next step is to confirm your license status and match your graduate field to the posting before applying.
