Counselor Jobs
Counselor jobs are open across behavioral health, school districts, substance abuse treatment centers, and mental health clinics, from entry-level to licensed clinical and program director roles, with specializations in career counseling, addiction counseling, and rehabilitation counseling. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Counselor JobsLooking for remote work? View remote counselor jobs →Student or new grad? View counselor internships →Overview
Showing 5 of 3,891+ Counselor jobs
INTRODUCTION
Full-Time Evenings 3pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends. At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
JOB DESCRIPTION
Full-Time Evenings 3pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends. The Psychiatric Counselor reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. A Psychiatric Counselor, under the direction of the Patient Care Manager, Charge or Staff Nurse, delivers direct care to the psychiatric patient. Effectively interacts with the patient, their support network, and other members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team to rapidly identify and treat the crisis that is occurring.
Responsibilities:
- Conducts intake's consisting of the BHS Pre-Admission Assessment, all admission forms, Voluntary forms along with patient rights. Orient's patient to unit and conducts body and belongings search under the direction of the Charge RN.
- Plans and implements care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. Able to begin and add to the Master Treatment Plan.
- Facilitates groups, educational, and focus to Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric population. Conducts Community and Wrap-Up and Expressive Therapy Groups along with milieu management.
- Under the direction of the Charge RN assists with ADL's.
- Serves on BHS and unit work groups when requested.
- Communicates to Manager and Charge Nurse any incidents regarding patients and staff that may compromise unit safety.
- Conducts telephone screenings (inquiry calls) in a fashion resulting in appropriate disposition based on the phone contact.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- One year experience in a behavioral health unit or one completed semester of internship in a behavioral health field.
- CPR – Basic Life Support
- De-escalation training within six months of hire
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health science field
- Experience in mental health substance abuse
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):
Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
INTRODUCTION
Full-Time Evenings 3pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends. At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
JOB DESCRIPTION
Full-Time Evenings 3pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends. The Psychiatric Counselor reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. A Psychiatric Counselor, under the direction of the Patient Care Manager, Charge or Staff Nurse, delivers direct care to the psychiatric patient. Effectively interacts with the patient, their support network, and other members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team to rapidly identify and treat the crisis that is occurring.
Responsibilities:
- Conducts intake's consisting of the BHS Pre-Admission Assessment, all admission forms, Voluntary forms along with patient rights. Orient's patient to unit and conducts body and belongings search under the direction of the Charge RN.
- Plans and implements care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. Able to begin and add to the Master Treatment Plan.
- Facilitates groups, educational, and focus to Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric population. Conducts Community and Wrap-Up and Expressive Therapy Groups along with milieu management.
- Under the direction of the Charge RN assists with ADL's.
- Serves on BHS and unit work groups when requested.
- Communicates to Manager and Charge Nurse any incidents regarding patients and staff that may compromise unit safety.
- Conducts telephone screenings (inquiry calls) in a fashion resulting in appropriate disposition based on the phone contact.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- One year experience in a behavioral health unit or one completed semester of internship in a behavioral health field.
- CPR – Basic Life Support
- De-escalation training within six months of hire
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health science field
- Experience in mental health substance abuse
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):
Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
Counselor Jobs by Experience Level
Top Cities Hiring Counselors
Explore counselor openings in the cities hiring most right now.
See All 3,891+ Counselor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Counselor JobsCounselor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- LifeStance Health89
- The Center for Disability Services82
- State of Washington39
- Management & Training Corporation39
- Everstory Partners35
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services175
- Education70
- Government & Public Sector35
- Science & Research8
- Technology & Software8
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in counselor jobs.
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related field
- Active state licensure such as LPC, LCSW, LMHC, or LCPC
- Experience with electronic health records and clinical documentation systems
- Proficiency in evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, or motivational interviewing
- Ability to conduct intake assessments and develop individualized treatment plans
- CPR certification and mandatory reporter training for applicable settings
Tips for Your Counselor Job Search
Tailor your resume to licensure level
Employers scan for specific credentials first, so list your licensure status, such as LPC, LCSW, or LMFT, prominently at the top of your resume. Below that, show the client populations you've worked with and any specialized modalities like CBT or motivational interviewing.
Filter openings by required licensure
Many counselor postings list a specific license as a hard requirement, not a preference. When you search, look for roles that match your current credential level so you don't waste time applying to positions that require a license you haven't yet obtained.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists counselor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Address supervision hours in your cover letter
If you're working toward full licensure, state exactly how many supervised hours you've completed and how many you still need. Hiring managers at community mental health centers frequently sponsor supervision, but they want candidates who can articulate where they stand.
Prepare case-based answers for interviews
Counselor interviews almost always include scenario questions, such as how you'd handle a client in crisis or a mandatory reporting situation. Prepare two or three concrete examples from your practicum or previous roles that show your clinical reasoning and ethical judgment under pressure.
Negotiate continuing education support early
Before accepting an offer, ask whether the employer funds CEUs and licensure renewal fees. Many nonprofits and healthcare systems budget for this, but only extend it to candidates who request it during the offer conversation, not after onboarding.
Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most counselors?
The most active employers for counselors right now are LifeStance Health, The Center for Disability Services, and State of Washington, and the most openings are in New York, California, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Demand is particularly strong at community mental health centers, school districts, and substance abuse treatment programs.
How many counselor jobs are remote?
About 35% of counselor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with telehealth platforms and employee assistance programs accounting for the largest share of fully remote roles. School-based and residential treatment positions are almost always on-site given the nature of the client population.
How do you become a counselor?
You start by completing a master's degree in counseling, clinical mental health, social work, or a related field. After graduating, you accumulate supervised post-degree hours as required by your state licensing board, then pass the relevant licensure exam, such as the National Counselor Examination. Once licensed, you can apply to independent clinical positions without supervision requirements.
How do you get hired as a counselor with little experience?
Practicum and internship hours from your graduate program count as experience, so document client contact hours, populations served, and any specialized settings on your resume. Entry-level openings at community mental health agencies and school districts regularly hire pre-licensed candidates because they offer supervision toward licensure as part of the compensation package. Applying to those roles specifically gives you the fastest path to full licensure.
What does the counselor interview process look like?
Most counselor hiring processes begin with a phone screen focused on your licensure status and availability, followed by a structured behavioral interview with a clinical supervisor or hiring manager. You should expect scenario-based questions about crisis response, ethical dilemmas, and documentation practices. Some employers, particularly those serving minors or high-risk populations, also require a background check and reference calls before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to counselor jobs?
You can find and apply to counselor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your licensure level, specialization, and preferred setting, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
See All 3,891+ Counselor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Counselor Jobs