SUD Adolescent Counselor

About Us

BJK Peoples Health Centers is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Organization that provides comprehensive mental health services to children and adults in the northern and central parts of the City of St. Louis and North St. Louis City. A professional mental health staff serves a growing caseload of 2,800 patients, of which greater than ninety-five percent are chronically mentally ill and suffering from major psychiatric disorders. BJK Peoples Health Centers operates a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center and a Comprehensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center for adults and youth.

Summary: People’s Family of Corporations is seeking an Adolescent Substance Abuse Counselor who will be responsible for assessing, treating, and providing case management to young people struggling with substance abuse issues. The Counselor will also be responsible for individual and group counseling sessions, developing personalized treatment plans, therapeutic intervention, coordinating with families and other support systems, and educating youth on healthy coping mechanisms to prevent relapse, all while focusing on the unique needs and developmental stage of adolescents. We are seeking someone who can provide client advocacy, and a multi-tasker who has a passion for adolescents! This role will offer substance abuse educational classes to clients and family members to assist them in recognizing problems and causal factors use disorders and developing healthy and alternative coping behaviors.

Key responsibilities may include:

· Assessments and evaluations:

Conducting comprehensive assessments of young clients to identify substance abuse patterns, mental health concerns, and contributing factors to their addiction.

· Treatment planning:

Creating individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings, including goals, interventions, and strategies to address substance abuse and related issues.

· Individual counseling:

Providing one-on-one counseling sessions to support youth in understanding their addiction, developing coping mechanisms, and managing triggers.

· Group therapy:

Facilitating group therapy sessions to foster peer support, sharing experiences, and learning from others in recovery.

· Family involvement:

Engaging with parents or guardians to provide education on addiction, build support systems, and encourage healthy family dynamics. Interviews and selects counseling theories and applies techniques to assist clients, family members, and others to gather information; explains program methods and objectives to obtain their cooperation in the treatment rehabilitation process. Assist clients with defining and achieving realistic goals

· Relapse prevention:

Teaching relapse prevention, harm reduction strategies, identifying high-risk situations, and developing coping skills to manage cravings.

· Case management:

· Coordinating with other service providers, schools, and legal systems to ensure comprehensive care and address any related issues. Represents the program to the community through outreach activities and educational programs

Crisis intervention:

Responding to immediate crisis situations related to substance abuse and providing necessary support.

· Documentation and reporting:

Maintaining accurate client records, progress notes, and required documentation according to agency guidelines.

Required skills and qualifications:

· Education:

Bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field, with additional certifications in substance abuse counseling (CRADC or CRAADC) and/or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred.

· Experience:

Experience working with adolescents and understanding the unique challenges of youth substance abuse.

· Clinical skills:

Strong assessment and counseling skills, including the ability to build rapport, actively listen, and effectively communicate with youth.

· Cultural competency:

Awareness of cultural factors influencing substance abuse and the ability to adapt interventions accordingly.

· Ethical practice:

Adherence to professional ethics and confidentiality standards.

• Valid driver’s license
• First Aid / CPR certification required
• Must possess basic personal computer knowledge

Work settings:

Youth treatment centers, Outpatient clinics, School-based programs, and Community organizations.

Additional Requirements:

Demonstrated knowledge and skill in adaptability, change management, conflict resolution, decision making, group process facilitation, influence, interpersonal relations, oral communication, problem solving, quality management, teamwork, and written communication

People’s Family of Corporations does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.

Last updated on Jan 8, 2025