Mental Health Counselor
St. Petersburg, FL - USA
Job Summary
The Mental Health Counselor provides clinical leadership and therapeutic services for youth living in SailFutures residential foster care homes. This role combines direct counseling with clinical supervision ensuring youth receive high-quality trauma-informed care while supporting the professional development of the behavioral health team.
In addition to maintaining a reduced caseload of individual family and group therapy the Mental Health Counselor partners with residential staff to create a therapeutic relationship-centered environment. The role includes participating in family dinners supporting adventure-based therapy and providing guidance during critical moments in the daily life of the homes.
The Mental Health Counselor also oversees the behavioral health program during SailFutures international sailing expeditions integrating experiential mental health curriculum and therapeutic support while youth sail between Florida Nova Scotia and Trinidad & Tobago.
This position is ideal for a clinician who believes healing happens not only in therapy sessions but through consistent relationships meaningful experiences and a supportive community.
Coordinate all therapeutic services for all youth in residential care and independent living program
Work in partnership with psychiatrist to monitor and coordinate medication management for all youth in residential care
Provide therapeutic house support up to sixteen hours per week
Provide 1:1 therapeutic services to 12 youth per week (1-hour session)
6 youth in Waterfront House
6 youth in White House
Lead weekly adventure therapy group on weekend day
Develop treatment plans in partnership with Residential Change Agents Program Director Case Manager and other stakeholders
Provide in-depth assessments to all youth who enter the SailFuture home
Provide assessments to all youth at-risk who present self-harming or homicidal behaviors
Create initial and master treatment plans and lead 30-day treatment team meetings and 6-month treatment plan reviews
Provide training and youth-specific feedback to staff across all teams
Coordinate and process medicaid billing for BHOS (Codes: H2020-HA H0031-HO H0032 H0032 - TS)
Supervise and mentor registered interns.
Provide case reviews and ongoing professional development.
Review treatment plans assessments and clinical documentation to ensure quality and compliance.
Provide individual family and group therapy.
Provide clinical leadership during international sailing expeditions.
Provide support 2 weeks per expedition (5 per year) on the sailing vessel Whatever It Takes
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Masters degree or higher in Counseling Social Work Marriage & Family Therapy Psychology or a related behavioral health field.
Active Florida licensure as an LMHC LCSW or LMFT.
Qualified Supervisor designation in Florida or ability to obtain designation.
Minimum of five years of clinical experience preferably serving adolescents in foster care residential treatment or behavioral health settings.
Previous supervisory or clinical leadership experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care crisis intervention and child welfare.
Excellent leadership communication and collaboration skills.
A passion for serving youth who have experienced significant adversity and helping them build healthy independent lives.
Annual Salary: Base ($60000) Performance Bonus* ($20000)
Performance Bonus is paid out quarterly (up to $5000 per quarter) and determined by performance metrics.
$250 monthly health insurance contribution
401(k) with up to 6% employer match
10 days PTO per year (accrual based)
Employer-provided laptop and cell phone
About Company
Based in St. Petersburg FL SailFuture serves 200 children and families a year through innovative programs ranging from international sailing expeditions to an entrepreneurship high school.