Behavioral Health Counselor MS

Job Title

Counselor – Behavioral Health MS

Riley Hospital, Indianapolis, IN

Full-Time, Day Shift

The Behavioral Health Counselor MS facilitates patient involvement in treatment and education within a multidisciplinary care environment. The role encompasses individual, group, and family counseling, along with clinical functions related to utilization review and discharge planning. The counselor collaborates with healthcare team members to ensure patients receive safe, timely services, and that patients and families are provided with necessary resources and education.

The position also involves assessing complex psychosocial needs and serving as a liaison in cases of abuse, neglect, guardianship, foster care, and mental health placements.

• Facilitate face‑to‑face engagement with patients, providing psychosocial assessments, counseling, and therapeutic interventions.
• Perform functions related to utilization review, discharge planning, and care coordination.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with all members of the healthcare team to ensure safe and efficient patient care.
• Assess patients’ and families’ psychosocial risk factors, reactions to illness, and coping mechanisms.
• Counsel patients and families regarding 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.
• Provide therapeutic intervention to support complex discharge planning.
• Serve as the primary point person for cases involving child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence; act as liaison with protective agencies.
• Support guardianship, foster care, adoption, and mental health Level II placements.
• Maintain principles and techniques of crisis intervention and de‑escalation to ensure patient and staff safety.
• Provide a safe and therapeutic environment, including instruction on daily activities and programming.
• Develop and sustain strong working relationships with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, and other stakeholders.

• Education: Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a mental health field such as Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 0–3 years in healthcare, mental health, or community‑based settings preferred.
• Licensure: License‑eligible in Indiana as an LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or LCAC. Must have a minimum of a permanent LSW, LMHC‑A, or LMFT‑A upon hire.
• Certifications: Certification in Crisis Intervention or de‑escalation techniques may be required or preferred.
• BLS certification: May be required.

• Knowledge of psychosocial assessment, therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention.
• Understanding of the impact of disease processes and human behavior.
• Familiarity with Evidence‑Based Practices (CBT, MI, DBT).
• Knowledge of legal mandates related to child and adult protective services.
• Principles of growth and development across the lifespan.
• Ability to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
• Proficiency in Electronic Medical Record systems and MS Office applications.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop collaborative relationships with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, and healthcare teams.

Join our team and contribute to providing compassionate, comprehensive behavioral health care in a dynamic hospital environment.

Interested? Apply now to become part of Riley Hospital’s dedicated behavioral health team.

We are an equal opportunity employer. IU Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us to request accommodation.