Crisis Counselor - Mental Health Therapist

Job Title:  Crisis Counselor – Mental Health Therapist

Department: Counseling

Reports To:  VP of Programs                                                  

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification:  Full-time

Effective Date:  January 2016

Revised: August 2025

Summary: 

Responsible for providing individual and group crisis counseling, facilitating support groups and psycho-educational groups as well as providing training to volunteers, staff and community members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct initial assessments and provide up to six individual crisis counseling for each client as needed.
• Ability to develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with individual clients and groups, and engage them in a realistic, effective plan for change.
• Training and experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Training and experience with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) preferred.
• Knowledge of professional code of ethics.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and HIPAA standards for record keeping. 
• Refer clients to the Client Services Director to connect clients to WCA staff, other professionals, organizations and agencies for additional services.
• Maintain client electronic files and provide requested information to the Quality and Compliance Officer for grant documentation purposes.
• Assist with clients support groups as needed.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Education/Experience:

Master’s Degree in Counseling or Social Work and licensure as a Mental Health Provider in the State of Nebraska. Licensure as an independent mental health practitioner preferred.  At least three years of experience in counseling or social work preferred.  Bilingual (Spanish) preferred. 

Mandatory Certifications, Trainings or Background Check Requirements:

• Provide proof of licensure as a Mental Health Provider in the State of Nebraska and maintain valid licensure throughout employment.
• Must pass a background check.
• Once hired, must complete the WCA’s Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking and Stalking training.
• Ongoing training as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bilingual – ability to speak English and Spanish preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with a diverse client population and cultural backgrounds.
• Understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking issues. The WCA provides a mandatory training on these items during orientation.
• Ability to problem solve with clients.
• Previous experience with training and facilitating groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Good working knowledge of computer programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Internet and database programs.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and learn internal WCA client data system.
• Responsible for providing own transportation to community partner meetings and trainings.
• Maintain confidentiality standards of the agency and client information in accordance with HIPAA standards.
• Commitment to the mission of the Women’s Center for Advancement.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee will be in a normal office environment while performing the duties of this job and will be required to sit, stand, walk and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  In addition, employee will be required to drive to other locations to conduct agency business.

WCA is an E-Verify employer and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.