Mental Health Counselor Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A mental health counselor provides therapy to individuals, couples or groups dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues and other mental health concerns. The work is a mix of direct sessions, treatment planning, documentation, and coordinating with psychiatrists or other providers when a client needs more support.
Mental health counselors work in community clinics, private practice, schools, hospitals and substance use treatment centers, so caseload and acuity vary a lot: a steady roster of weekly clients in private practice versus crisis-heavy work in a community mental health center. Licensure requirements and titles (LPC, LMHC, LCPC) vary by state.
Mental Health Counselor job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Mental Health Counselor
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring a mental health counselor to provide therapy for [client population] at [clinic / organization]. You'll carry a caseload of [individual / group] clients, develop treatment plans, and coordinate care with [psychiatrists / case managers] as needed.
What you'll do
- Conduct intake assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
- Provide individual, couples or group therapy sessions for [population].
- Document session notes and treatment progress in [EHR system] in a timely way.
- Coordinate care with psychiatrists, case managers or other providers as needed.
- Respond to clients in crisis and follow safety planning protocols.
- Maintain a caseload consistent with [X] sessions per week.
- Stay current on evidence-based treatment approaches through training and supervision.
- Participate in case consultation and team meetings.
What you'll bring
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology or a related field.
- State licensure or license-eligible status (LPC, LMHC, LCPC or equivalent) in [state].
- Experience providing therapy to [population, e.g. adults, adolescents or couples].
- Working knowledge of evidence-based approaches such as CBT or DBT.
- Comfortable with crisis intervention and safety planning.
- Clear, empathetic communication and strong boundaries with clients.
- Timely, accurate documentation to meet clinical and billing standards.
Nice to have
- Experience with [trauma-informed care, substance use treatment or EMDR].
- Bilingual, especially Spanish, for working with a diverse client base.
- Group therapy facilitation experience.
- Experience with telehealth platforms for remote sessions.
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Clinical supervision provided toward licensure, flexible scheduling, continuing education stipend]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: an application review, a phone screen, a clinical interview with a case discussion, and a reference and license verification check.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Mental Health Counselor duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Builds a caseload under supervision while working toward full licensure.
- Learns intake procedures, documentation standards and crisis protocols.
- Seeks regular supervision on treatment planning and difficult cases.
Mid-level
- Carries a full caseload independently across a range of presenting issues.
- Handles crisis situations and safety planning with confidence.
- Takes on more complex cases and may supervise interns informally.
Senior
- Supervises associate-level counselors working toward licensure.
- Leads case consultation and contributes to clinical program development.
- Handles the most complex or high-risk cases in the practice.
Mental Health Counselor career path
- Associate Counselor (pre-licensure)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Senior Counselor or Clinical Supervisor
- Clinical Director
Mental health counselor requires a master's degree and a period of supervised practice before full licensure, usually starting as an associate counselor in a clinic or agency. From here, people move into private practice, clinical supervision, program leadership or specialized areas like trauma or substance use treatment.
Similar roles
- Social Worker job description
Also provides therapy but often combines it with broader case management and resource coordination.
- School Counselor job description
Focuses on student support within a school setting rather than ongoing clinical therapy.
- Nurse Practitioner job description
Can prescribe medication for mental health conditions rather than providing talk therapy alone.
- Caregiver job description
Provides direct daily support and care rather than clinical therapy.
Mental Health Counselor job description FAQ
What does a mental health counselor do?
Provides therapy to individuals, couples or groups, conducts intake assessments, develops treatment plans, documents progress, and coordinates with psychiatrists or other providers when clients need additional support.
What licensure should a mental health counselor job description require?
State licensure (often called LPC, LMHC or LCPC depending on the state) or license-eligible status with a master's degree. Job descriptions should state the specific state requirement, since titles and rules vary.
Can someone work as a mental health counselor before full licensure?
Yes, many work as associate or provisionally licensed counselors under supervision while completing the hours required for full licensure. Job descriptions should state clearly whether supervision toward licensure is provided.