Behavioral Health Counselor - Senior

Indiana University Health
Indianapolis, Indiana

Overview

Behavioral Health Counselor - Senior
Department: Psychiatry Department BHS - Riley Pediatric Center
Position: Full-Time / Day Shift
Join Our Dedicated Pediatric Behavioral Health Team!
Are you a compassionate and experienced behavioral health professional committed to supporting children and families? IU Health's Riley Pediatric Center is seeking a Senior Behavioral Health Counselor to provide expert assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and discharge planning in a collaborative, patient-centered environment.
Apply today -- help us deliver exceptional care to children and families in need!
Position Overview:
The Behavioral Health Counselor - Senior collaborates effectively with all members of the healthcare team to ensure children and families receive safe, timely, and comprehensive services. You will interpret and communicate complex patient and family needs, role model caring practices, and assess psychosocial risk factors based on prior functioning, support systems, and reactions to illness or trauma.
You will perform mental health assessments, facilitate discharge planning, and serve as a point person for cases involving abuse, neglect, guardianship, foster care, and mental health placements. Your leadership in clinical intervention, including crisis management and de-escalation, is essential to maintaining safety and promoting healing.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Collaborate with the healthcare team to facilitate safe and effective patient care.
  • Conduct psychosocial assessments and provide therapeutic interventions, including individual, group, and family counseling.
  • Support discharge planning and coordinate with community resources and protective services.
  • Serve as the primary contact for cases involving child abuse/neglect, adult/elderly abuse, institutional abuse, and domestic violence.
  • Liaise with child and adult protective teams, guardianship, foster care, and mental health agencies.
  • Manage high-risk situations, utilizing de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention principles to prevent violence.
  • Provide intervention for end-of-life care, guardianship, foster care, adoption, and other complex cases.
  • Support the safety and well-being of vulnerable patients and their families through leadership and clinical expertise.
Qualifications & Requirements:
  • Education: Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related area required.
  • Licensure: Current licensure or license eligibility in Indiana as an HSPP, LMFT, LCSW, or LMHC required.
  • Certifications: CPI (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention) certification required within 6 months of hire.
  • Experience: 3-5 years preferred in mental health, child and family services, adult protective services, Veteran's Administration, or substance abuse.
  • Additional Skills & Knowledge:
    • Experience working with geographically and financially diverse patient populations.
    • Knowledge of the disease impact and human behavior for assessments, crisis intervention, and counseling.
    • Understanding of state and county legal mandates related to protective services.
    • Principles of growth and development across the lifespan.
    • Strong crisis de-escalation and interviewing skills.
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
Why IU Health?
IU Health is Indiana's largest and most comprehensive healthcare system, dedicated to delivering patient-centered, innovative care. We offer professional growth opportunities, a collaborative team environment, and a mission to improve community health.
For more information, visit: IU Health Benefits
Are you ready to make a difference in pediatric behavioral health? Apply now to join IU Health's Riley Pediatric Center as a Senior Behavioral Health Counselor!