Job Description

To support the Diocese of Phoenix in its mission to Encounter the Living Christ, the Mental Health Counselor for Catholic Schools will play a vital role in assisting the school in promoting the emotional and psychological well-being of students within the school community (2-3 cluster schools). This position will provide counseling services, support systems, and resources to students experiencing emotional, behavioral, or psychological challenges, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment conducive to academic success and personal growth. Will provide supervision and guidance to diocesan mental health counseling interns (2-3 interns within the cluster of schools).

Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Conduct individual and group counseling sessions with students to address emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues affecting their academic performance and overall well-being.

· Coordinate all counseling efforts and services with school administrators, school counselors, and school staff.

· Assess students’ mental health needs through intake interviews, assessments, and observations, and develop personalized treatment plans accordingly.

· Collaborate with teachers, parents, administrators, and Manager of Mental Health Support Services to coordinate support services and interventions for students in need of additional assistance.

· Provide crisis intervention and support to students experiencing acute mental health crises or emergencies, including risk assessment and referral to appropriate resources.

· Offer psychoeducation workshops and presentations to students, faculty, and parents on topics related to mental health, coping strategies, and emotional resilience.

· Maintain accurate and confidential records of counseling sessions, assessments, and interventions in accordance with professional ethics and legal requirements.

· Stay informed about current research, best practices, and trends in the field of school mental health counseling and integrate new knowledge into practice as appropriate.

· Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, professional development activities, and school-wide initiatives aimed at promoting a positive school climate and enhancing student well-being.

· Advocate for the mental health needs of students within the school community and collaborate with stakeholders to implement policies and programs that support mental health awareness and prevention.

· Uphold ethical standards and adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and professional guidelines governing the practice of mental health counseling in educational settings.

Additional Job Functions

· Performs other job-related functions as directed. 

· Maintains continuous updating of knowledge, attends appropriate regional and national conferences as approved by Supervisor. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

·Experience providing counseling services to children and adolescents in a school or clinical setting preferred.

·Strong interpersonal, communication, and crisis intervention skills.

·Knowledge of evidence-based counseling techniques, assessment tools, and treatment modalities for addressing a range of mental health concerns commonly encountered in school settings. Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including students, families, educators, and community partners.

·Commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the delivery of mental health services and support.

·Proficiency in maintaining confidentiality and complying with legal and ethical standards governing the practice of counseling.

·Flexibility, resilience, and adaptability in responding to the evolving needs of students and the school community.

Minimum Qualifications

·Active, practicing Catholic in communion with the Church. 

·Master’s degree in counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field from an accredited institution.

·State licensure or certification as a School Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or equivalent credential required.

Work Environment

· This job operates in a professional office environment. 

· This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

· This is a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand, as necessary.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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