Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselor
Whitman College

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman's beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually dynamic, diverse, and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty and 1,500 students. With an endowment exceeding $700 million, fiercely loyal alumni, exceptional students, and accomplished faculty and staff, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence ranking as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Whitman College is building a diverse academic community and especially encourages applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring additional dimensions to the college's learning environment. Whitman College is an EEO employer.

JOB SUMMARY

The Counselor reports directly to the Associate Dean of Health and Wellness and is responsible for providing brief therapy and crisis intervention to a culturally diverse student population; consultation and referral to faculty and staff. As part of the larger staff in Student Affairs, the Counselor collaborates and cooperates across divisions and departments to help facilitate a supportive Whitman community, which encourages student learning, development, and holistic mental health. In addition, the Counselor's activities are performed within the limits of standards and ethical principles of their professional organization, as well as, applicable legal mandates for mental health professionals in the state of Washington.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide comprehensive individual, couples, and/or group counseling services to diverse students with a wide range of concerns including but not limited to the following: adjustment issues, interpersonal relationships, stress and time management, conflict issues, anxiety, depression, grief, and loss, gender and sexuality, suicidality, and substance abuse.
• Utilize a brief model.
• Maintain clinical records following legal statutes and ethical codes promptly.
• Provide crisis intervention and coverage including participation in the after-hours On-Call rotation.
• Provide crisis consultation to Residence Life, Student Affairs, Public Safety, and other administrative units of the college and crisis debriefing to staff as needed.
• Provide information and support to facilitate psychiatric hospitalization for students as required and serve as a liaison to Associate Dean of Health & Wellness, providing information regarding the process.
• Provide information, referral, and psychoeducation for individuals who are ineligible for services at Whitman Counseling Center.
• Consult with concerned families/friends of students, staff, and faculty, as requested, and within the limits of confidentiality.
• Provide evidenced-based educational training and consultation to Whitman faculty, staff, student leaders, and other campus groups regarding the prevention and identification of mental health concerns.
• Create and deliver educational outreach programs on topics including diversity, equity, access, and inclusion as they relate to mental health.
• Establish group therapy, outreach, and programming for racial/ethnic and populations that have historically been underserved.
• Collaborate with Student Health staff in the necessary sharing of information to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
• Represent the Counseling center at campus events as needed.
• Complete other duties as needed by the Associate Dean of Health & Wellness.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Professional identity as a mental health practitioner as evidenced by local and national organization membership.
• Accountability- Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her/their actions.
  Active Listening- Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.
• Accuracy- Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Analytical skills- Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve problems.
• Coaching and Development- Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skills.
• Diversity Oriented- Commitment to valuing a variety of different experiences, encouraging input and collaboration from campus stakeholders, including being mindful of experiences related, but not limited to age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, LBGTQIA+, and/or job type.
• Interpersonal- Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Judgment- Ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
• Presentation Skills- Ability to effectively present information publicly.
• Relationship Building- Ability to effectively build relationships with clients and co-workers.
• Excellent written skills and experience with client notes and appropriate legal and ethical content.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of the professional counseling team within the administrative structure of the Division of Student Affairs.
• Knowledge of the link between job responsibilities and the overall goals of Whitman College.
• Ability to maintain stable performance and emotional control when faced with opposition, pressure, or alternative approaches from others and/or during stressful conditions.
• Ability to adapt easily to change and adapt in response to new information or shifts in the situation.
• Ability to communicate in a positive, compassionate, and professional manner with students, staff, faculty, visitors, and other divisions in the college.
• Ability to deliver quality service in a professional, compassionate manner with respect for the dignity and identities of all that enter the Counseling Center.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A Ph.D., Psy.D, or Master's Degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or marriage and family, with a minimum of three years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Must be independently licensed in the state of Washington before hire.
2. Adherence to professional development and training for the maintenance of state licensure.
   
   

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience providing mental health services to people 17 to 25 years of age.
• Experience and training in social justice, issues and concerns related to diversity, and a history of providing services to diverse populations including people of color, LBGTQIA+ populations, First Generation college students, and different physical and health abilities
• Experience with the treatment of clients that manifest emotional dysregulation
• Experience leading group therapy
• Knowledge of the Addictions Counseling and Harm Reduction

All Whitman College employees are required to comply with the college's vaccination policy. More information can be found here.

SALARY RANGE

$46,000-$60,000 (salary based on experience, licensure and degrees)

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin on September 5 and will continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

October 1, 2021


For full application instructions and position description, visit https://whitman.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=104




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