Mental Health Counselor

Position Summary

Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks a full-time Mental Health Counselor to provide individual counseling, crisis response, and outreach programming to students as part of the Counseling and Wellness Center team. This position reports to the Director of Counseling and Wellness and works collaboratively with campus partners to support overall student wellbeing.

Lenoir-Rhyne Counseling and Wellness supports the university’s mission to develop the whole person by fostering students’ personal growth, self-awareness, and insight into their behaviors and identities. We are seeking a clinician who values structured teamwork, brings a steady and supportive presence, and is committed to meaningful student impact within a proactive, student-centered model of care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Services

• Provide brief, solution-focused individual counseling within a short-term model, maintaining an active caseload of approximately 20–25 sessions per week.
• Conduct intake assessments and develop collaborative treatment plans.
• Participate in daily rotating crisis coverage during business hours.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in the electronic health record in accordance with professional and university standards.
• Facilitate group counseling services as interest and experience allow.

Crisis and Consultation

• Provide same-day risk assessment, safety planning, and stabilization as needed.
• Perform comprehensive suicide assessments and initiate appropriate higher levels of care, including hospitalization, when necessary to address imminent safety concerns.
• Consult with faculty, staff, and campus partners regarding student mental health concerns.
• Participate in campus-wide emergency response efforts in the event of critical incidents.
• Provide appropriate referrals to community providers and external services as needed.

Outreach and Prevention

• Implement and facilitate outreach programs and psychoeducational workshops developed by center leadership.
• Collaborate with campus partners to increase mental health visibility and prevention efforts.
• Contribute ideas and feedback to support ongoing development of campus mental health initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Licensed or associate licensed in North Carolina (LCMHC, LCMHCA, LCSW, LCSWA, or Psychologist). LCAS considered with relevant college counseling experience.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience providing short-term counseling, preferably with young adults.
• Demonstrated competency in risk assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain professional boundaries within a campus community.
• Ability to work within a structured, team-based environment and receive clinical consultation.
• Commitment to confidentiality and adherence to FERPA, HIPAA, and university policies.
• Comfort facilitating presentations and engaging with student groups.
• Ability to provide case management oversight.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a college or university counseling setting.
• Experience working with student-athletes, first-generation students, neurodivergent students, and/or students from historically marginalized backgrounds.
• Competence in tele-mental health service delivery.
• Interest in group facilitation.
• Experience using social media platforms to support outreach efforts.

Additional Requirements and Expectations

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to travel with students, faculty, and staff throughout campus.
• Standard office hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with occasional evenings and weekends based on demand. Subject to change based on university needs.

Behavioral Expectations

• Maintain high integrity, confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
• Treat other individuals with dignity, respect and kindness.
• Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, and values, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit a:

• Cover letter, specifically discussing how one’s professional experiences and perspectives relate to the needs of the position.
• Resume, including the names and emails of three references. References will only be contacted for finalists, and candidates will be notified in advance.