Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Florida
Behavioral health counselor jobs in Florida are among the most active in the country, concentrated in community mental health centers, substance use treatment facilities, hospital behavioral health units, and school-based programs, with openings at every level from entry-level counseling assistant through licensed senior clinician. The largest hiring hubs are Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, where established employers such as the University of Florida Health system, BayCare Health System, and Centerstone operate significant behavioral health programs. The most consistent demand is in substance use disorder treatment, trauma-informed care, and co-occurring disorders counseling. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Behavioral Health Counselor jobs
Shift Hours:
Part-Time: Saturday / Sunday; 3p to 11p
Salary: $16.00 to $18.00 / hour
Requirements:
- AA degree REQUIRED with at least 1 year experience with at-risk children / mental health experience
- Must be able to effectively use crisis intervention techniques.
- Valid Florida driver’s license in good standing
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Basic computer knowledge
- Strong organizational skills.
Description:
The Residential Counselor (dedicated to our adolescent clients) is responsible for providing care and treatment as outlined in the client’s treatment plan. Functions as a member of the client’s treatment team as outlined in the policy and procedures manual.
- Implements effectively cottage activities of daily living to include wake up and bedtime routine, mealtime, maintains a clean, inviting, safe and orderly environment.
- Maintains clients’ personal hygiene, cleanliness, grooming, clothing and adheres to infection control procedures and practices universal precautions.
- Effectively and appropriately sets limits with clients that are appropriate to the situation.
- Escorts clients safely to activities or appointments on or off campus as needed.
- Adheres to established guidelines for observing clients on special precautions.
- Coaches’ recreational activities to role model and encourage client participation.
- Models appropriate and professional behavior (i.e., dress, habits, personality, tact, etc.).
- Consistently follows proper guidelines and procedures for intervening with physically aggressive clients.
- Fill in online in crisis situations to ensure safety
- Ensure that documentation in client’s file, group log and weekly summaries is accurate and completed in the prescribed time.
- Relates with clients, parents, peers and the public in a respectful and professional manner.
- Keeps a record of community service hours completed by each client.
- Ensures that client needs and services are provided within departmental guidelines.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the disaster and safety plans.
- Ensures that all medications administered are accurate, given in the prescribed time, and documented appropriately.
- Staff members demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the client and implement awareness and understanding in the client’s treatment.
- Maintains the cleanliness and upkeep of the unit
- Relates with clients, parents, peers and the public in a respectful and professional manner in person and phone interaction.
- Performs other duties that may be assigned.
Physical Demands:
- The employee will be required to talk, hear and see; ability to manipulate objects with hands/fingers.
401K Benefits
Shift Hours:
Part-Time: Saturday / Sunday; 3p to 11p
Salary: $16.00 to $18.00 / hour
Requirements:
- AA degree REQUIRED with at least 1 year experience with at-risk children / mental health experience
- Must be able to effectively use crisis intervention techniques.
- Valid Florida driver’s license in good standing
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Basic computer knowledge
- Strong organizational skills.
Description:
The Residential Counselor (dedicated to our adolescent clients) is responsible for providing care and treatment as outlined in the client’s treatment plan. Functions as a member of the client’s treatment team as outlined in the policy and procedures manual.
- Implements effectively cottage activities of daily living to include wake up and bedtime routine, mealtime, maintains a clean, inviting, safe and orderly environment.
- Maintains clients’ personal hygiene, cleanliness, grooming, clothing and adheres to infection control procedures and practices universal precautions.
- Effectively and appropriately sets limits with clients that are appropriate to the situation.
- Escorts clients safely to activities or appointments on or off campus as needed.
- Adheres to established guidelines for observing clients on special precautions.
- Coaches’ recreational activities to role model and encourage client participation.
- Models appropriate and professional behavior (i.e., dress, habits, personality, tact, etc.).
- Consistently follows proper guidelines and procedures for intervening with physically aggressive clients.
- Fill in online in crisis situations to ensure safety
- Ensure that documentation in client’s file, group log and weekly summaries is accurate and completed in the prescribed time.
- Relates with clients, parents, peers and the public in a respectful and professional manner.
- Keeps a record of community service hours completed by each client.
- Ensures that client needs and services are provided within departmental guidelines.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the disaster and safety plans.
- Ensures that all medications administered are accurate, given in the prescribed time, and documented appropriately.
- Staff members demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the client and implement awareness and understanding in the client’s treatment.
- Maintains the cleanliness and upkeep of the unit
- Relates with clients, parents, peers and the public in a respectful and professional manner in person and phone interaction.
- Performs other duties that may be assigned.
Physical Demands:
- The employee will be required to talk, hear and see; ability to manipulate objects with hands/fingers.
401K Benefits
See All 13 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Florida
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Find JobsBehavioral Health Counselor Jobs by City in Florida
Where Florida roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Counselor Job Market in Florida
A snapshot from current Florida openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Florida Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health counselor jobs across Florida.
- Active Florida licensure such as LMHC, LCSW, or CAP from the Department of Health
- Master's degree in mental health counseling, social work, or a related clinical field
- Documented experience providing individual, group, or family behavioral health counseling
- Familiarity with evidence-based modalities including CBT, motivational interviewing, or DBT
- Proficiency with electronic health records systems and clinical documentation standards
- Ability to conduct biopsychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans
Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health counselor in Florida?
Becoming a behavioral health counselor in Florida requires earning a master's degree in mental health counseling, social work, or a closely related field, then obtaining licensure through the Florida Department of Health. The most common credentials are the Licensed Mental Health Counselor designation, which requires passing the National Counselor Examination, and the Certified Addictions Professional credential for substance use roles. Florida requires supervised post-degree clinical hours before full licensure, and applicants submit through the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
Which companies hire behavioral health counselors in Florida?
Employers hiring behavioral health counselors in Florida right now include AMIkids, Memorial Healthcare System, and Westcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Florida's large integrated health systems, publicly funded community mental health centers, and county-operated substance use programs collectively account for a significant share of permanent full-time openings across the state.
Which Florida cities have the most behavioral health counselor jobs?
The Florida cities with the most behavioral health counselor openings are Jacksonville, Davie, and Largo. Miami and Tampa drive volume through dense hospital systems and large publicly funded behavioral health networks, while Orlando's rapid population growth has expanded both community mental health demand and hospital-based outpatient programs, pulling in a steady stream of openings from anchors like AdventHealth and Orlando Health.
Are there remote behavioral health counselor jobs in Florida?
Yes, though they represent a smaller share of openings than in purely desk-based fields, since much behavioral health counseling involves in-person client contact, crisis response, and supervised care settings. About 25% of behavioral health counselor openings tied to Florida are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a real but selective telehealth segment. Roles most likely to be remote are outpatient individual therapy, care coordination, and utilization review positions where direct physical presence is not required.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health counselor in Florida with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a registered intern or counseling technician position while completing supervised hours toward Florida licensure. Large community mental health organizations such as Aspire Health Partners in Orlando and Gracepoint in Tampa run structured intern programs that pair unlicensed master's graduates with supervisors. Candidates with a bachelor's degree can enter as behavioral health technicians or case managers at residential treatment facilities, then pursue graduate education with employer support. A Florida Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern registration from the Department of Health signals readiness to clinical hiring managers and accelerates the transition into licensed roles.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health counselor jobs in Florida?
You can find and apply to behavioral health counselor jobs in Florida on Migrate Mate, which lists current Florida openings across community mental health, hospital systems, and outpatient programs. Find roles that fit your credentials and experience level and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 13 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Florida
Find roles in Florida that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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