Mental Health Counselor

About Nexus Family Recovery Center

Nexus Family Recovery Center is a Dallas-based nonprofit dedicated to helping women and families heal from substance use disorder. We provide a comprehensive continuum of care, from detox through residential and outpatient treatment, rooted in trauma-informed, evidence-based practice and a deep belief that recovery is possible for everyone we serve.

At Nexus, our culture is built on the same values we bring to our clients: respect, compassion, and integrity. Our team is made up of professionals who are serious about the work and about each other, and we are committed to building a workplace where staff feel supported, valued, and able to grow.

We back that commitment with meaningful benefits. Full-time employees receive fully covered health insurance premiums — no cost to you for your own coverage. Coverage is also available to dependents at a cost. Additionally, clinical and medical staff are eligible for student loan reimbursement through our HRSA-approved site designation, making Nexus an exceptional opportunity for those carrying the weight of graduate or professional school debt.

If you're looking for work that matters, a team that shows up, and an organization that invests in the people doing the hard work, then we'd love to meet you.

Summary

The counselor carries a caseload, providing individual and family therapy, assessments, recovery plans, therapeutic interventions, and crisis management for clients with co-occurring disorders. The counselor will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to assist clients in achieving and maintaining recovery, achieving mental health stability, developing coping strategies, and improving their overall well-being. The position requires a working knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Assessment and Evaluation:

• Conduct comprehensive ANSA assessments to evaluate the extent of the client’s substance use disorder, mental health conditions, and any other problem areas.
• Develop individualized recovery plans based on assessment findings, client goals, and medical/psychosocial factors.
• Ensure that treatment plans and interventions are in line with the best practices in the field of substance use treatment and mental health care.
• Regularly reassess client progress and modify recovery plans as necessary.

Individual Therapy:

• Build therapeutic rapport with clients and families.
• Provide one-on-one therapy sessions to clients to address personal challenges related to substance use, co-occurring disorders, and recovery.
• Support clients in developing coping skills, emotional regulation, communication skills, and healthy relationships.
• Help clients set and achieve recovery goals, develop coping mechanisms, and enhance life skills.
• Offer crisis intervention and emotional support as needed, especially during relapses or setbacks.

Crisis Intervention:

• Assess and respond to mental health crises, suicidal ideation, self-harm risk, and behavioral concerns.
• Develop and implement safety plans when clinically indicated.
• Coordinate emergency interventions and referrals when needed.
• Support de-escalation efforts using trauma-responsive approaches.

Group Counseling:

• Facilitate group therapy sessions as requested.
• Ensure a supportive and non-judgmental environment that fosters trust and open communication among participants.
• Monitor group dynamics, guide group conflicts, and encourage participation.

Education:

• Provide psychoeducation to clients about substance use, mental health conditions, sustaining recovery, the recovery process, medication management, anger management, and the effects of substances on physical and mental health.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of client interactions, assessments, recovery plans, case notes, and any relevant incidents within the required timelines.
• Complete intake and discharge requirements and prepare progress reports as required by facility protocols or licensing requirements.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and ethical standards in record-keeping and reporting.

Collaboration and Referrals:

• Work closely with other staff and counselors to coordinate care for clients with complex needs.
• Participate in multidisciplinary staffing and treatment team meetings.
• Coordinate referrals to community resources and outside providers.

Sustaining Recovery and Aftercare:

• Assist clients with the transition from residential or intensive outpatient care to less intensive aftercare programs.

Advocacy and Support:

• Act as an advocate for clients within the healthcare system and community resources.
• Encourage client participation in treatment, recovery planning, and mental health therapy.

Compliance and Ethics:

• Adhere to all applicable laws, ethical standards, and professional guidelines, including confidentiality and mandated reporting laws.

• Other duties within the organization as assigned.