Residential Counselor

Position Summary

Under general supervision, the Residential Counselor provides individual, group, and family counseling services to clients residing in the residential treatment program.

The Counselor supports clients throughout all phases of treatment and recovery by developing and implementing individualized treatment plans grounded in trauma-informed and evidence-based practices.

This role requires maintaining a clinical caseload, collaborating with interdisciplinary team members, and ensuring accurate documentation. Evening and weekend work may be required to meet the needs of the residential program and its participants.

No smoking workplace.

• Provides behavioral health services, including brief interventions, individual, group, and family therapy, with a focus on trauma-informed care and evidence-based practices.
• Supports clients throughout all phases of treatment and recovery by developing, revising, and implementing individualized treatment plans.
• Ensures timely coordination and communication with referral sources, healthcare providers, and external systems (e.g., courts, CPS, medical providers) involved in the clients care.
• Participates in treatment team meetings, staff meetings, and clinical case reviews to assess client progress and inform treatment planning.
• Collaborates with program staff as a member of the interdisciplinary team to ensure a supportive, coordinated, and comprehensive approach to care.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of all services, including clinical notes and treatment plans, in accordance with licensing, funding, and agency requirements (e.g., in CMBHS).
• Remains current on best practices, contract standards, and regulatory requirements related to substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment.
• Participates in mandatory agency trainings and ongoing continuing education to sustain professional licensure and clinical competence.
• Conducts substance use assessments and biopsychosocial assessments and screenings using standardized tools.
• Provides crisis intervention and support as needed.
• Supports clients in discharge planning by developing and completing individualized discharge and recovery plans, ensuring continuity of care and connection to ongoing support services.

• Licensed or credentialed as an LCDC, LPC, LMSW, or equivalent, the state of Texas.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related field — or a minimum of four years of directly related experience/training; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Clinical experience in substance use disorders, trauma-informed care, and co-occurring mental health conditions strongly preferred.
• Training in Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based practices.
• Training in documentation standards and use of electronic health records (e.g., CMBHS) preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• If driving on Santa Maria business, must have a valid Texas Driver’s License and provide proof of current insurance.

Santa Maria Hostel provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.