Job Title: Master’s Level Counselor (LPC, LPC-A, LSW, LMFT)

Prepared: May 1, 2026

Prepared By: Mark Gregston (903.237.9154)

Job Description Summary:

The responsibilities for this position will include working with 13 residents and their families, meeting with residents on a weekly basis, leading three weekly group meetings, communicating with parents every two weeks or more by phone. The counselor will also act as the communication liaison between Heartlight and the family, to ensure effective communication to both groups, and communicate necessary and pertinent information when needed. This position has required individual weekly meetings. This position is a part of the Heartlight Treatment Team. The counselor will participate in some program activities, retreats, and other special events, counselor training events, and opportunities for follow-up with residents that have graduated from the Heartlight program.

The person in this position is responsible and reports to the Director of Counseling.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Counseling

Provides one-on-one counseling services with a defined number of Heartlight residents (11–13) on a weekly basis; this includes initiation and completion of all required counseling reports – either required by organizational policy or standards set forth by regulatory agencies which impact the Heartlight program. Such documentation will include; but not necessarily limited to Plan of Services, Plan of Service Reviews, Treatment Plan Reports, and counseling notes. All documentation must be completed in the required time frame.

Participation in Treatment Team. Communicates concerns as well as insights of residents to the other members of the Treatment Team meeting every other week.

Functions as a liaison for assigned residents who require outside services of a psychiatrist; Makes all psychiatric appointments for the designated residents they counsel when psychiatrist is on property or schedules appointments at psychiatrist’s office when needed. Participates in all psychiatric appointments with counselees. Communicates to parents all psychiatric appointments: diagnosis, medicine prescribed or changes, lab work needed or results, and when the next appointment is scheduled.

Leads/Participates in three weekly group meetings.

Acts as a communication liaison between parents of residents and the Heartlight program; communicating progress of resident, retreat schedules, emergencies, level system progressions, psychiatric needs, serious incidents, when necessary, etc. during a resident’s stay at Heartlight. This includes attendance at/participation in parent and family retreats as appropriate as well as communication whenever a family travels to the area or visitation at Heartlight property is permitted.

Will communicate to the appropriate staff at Heartlight all known travel arrangements; times when parents plan to visit Heartlight; resident’s family vacation schedules; number of parents and family members coming to Family or Parent Retreats, and other information necessary for the efficient operation of Heartlight.

Will communicate to the Executive Director, Director of Counseling, and Residential Director upon first mention of discharge, termination, or graduation regarding a particular resident from the Heartlight program.

Is responsible for communication and filling out all necessary documentation for discharge within state standards timeframe.

Will communicate all areas of potential conflict, parental concerns, and counseling concerns to the Director of Counseling.

Provides assistance to the Director of Counseling, ensuring the mission of the organization is carried out; understands the primary duties and responsibilities listed above which provide a framework for this position. All that is listed may not be inclusive of all necessary activities required of this position for efficient functioning of the organization, and other duties may be added in time.

2. Staff Meetings

Will participate in the weekly meetings that would include the General Monday morning Staff Meeting, weekly Counselor Meeting, and scheduled Treatment

3. Retreats

Participation in Parent and Family retreats. Counselors are expected to be involved and attend the 3 Family Retreats a year. (Thursday evening through Sunday noon). Parent Retreats are held 8 times a year, and counselors are expected to participate, and only on the Friday night (6:00 to 8:00 pm) and Saturday morning (8:00k to 12:00) portion. The scheduling of counselor’s participation will be determined by the counseling staff.

Will assume responsibilities as delegated for the effective and efficient operation of the Parent and Family Retreats as delegated by those in charge of the retreats. This will include, but not be limited to shopping, food preparation, and equipment retrieval/removal and clean up, etc.

Leads, with other counselors, individual group meeting with respective parents, as a part of the presentation and discussion of material given to the parents at the retreats.

4. Program

Facilitate Weekly Group Meetings.

Participate as needed in Q & A and Weekly Masters Program (determined seasonally as needs and schedule are developed).

5. Continuing Education

Annual Training – 15 to 20 hours. Annual training hours used to maintain a person’s relevant professional license may be used to complete these hours. You will be responsible for all of your training and hopefully take advantage of Heartlight’s training which may or may not be permitted by LPC standards.

6. Financial

Responsible for obtaining and/or forwarding all receipts for appropriate fiscal management of petty cash to the Financial Secretary for coding and processing; ensures each receipt has who/what/where/when clearly marked on the receipt.

7. Necessary Qualifications

This person should possess a master’s degree in counseling or social work, and be a LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or a LPC-A (Associate) or LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor) One must fully understand the operation of the Heartlight program, its focus, and its systems of operations within a reasonable time frame. Knowledge and skills in ministry and/or interaction with adolescents and their families is necessary. Demonstrates a capability to utilize biblical truth in assisting adolescents and their families through challenging situations. This job demands good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to effectively present supportive information in group settings.

A personal relationship with the Lord that is displayed in word, deed, and action, and is evident in day-to-day dealings with residents, staff, parents, and co-workers in a growing journey atmosphere.

Must possess a sound working knowledge of Heartlight’s policies regarding resident discipline, education, Level System, safety and medical issues, reporting of alleged neglect and abuse; implements same appropriately.

Must possess a sound working knowledge of Heartlight’s Statement of Confidentiality and HIPPA policies and strictly adheres to guidelines congruent with same as well as applicable law.

Ability to work with people, communicates effectively, and represents Heartlight in a professional manner.

Must be willing to remain in constant growth process; willing to meet with Director of Counseling weekly and participate in meeting with other counselors for updates and the “the meeting of the minds”.

8. Necessary Skills

Maintains a courteous, Christian attitude in dealing with others within the context of Heartlight Ministries as well as the general public; presents self in a manner consistent with moral issues outlined in Heartlight’s policy regarding same; represents the organization in a manner consistent with its mission and philosophy.

Writing and editing knowledge and skills.

Articulate thoughts and insight in a manner that is clearly understood.

Time management and conflict resolution skills.

Computer skills for Microsoft Office.

9. Service Commitment

Heartlight asks for a 2-year commitment. Should this commitment not be fulfilled, then the Heartlight funds spent for training and/or supervision must be reimbursed.

10. Job Hours & Expectations

Heartlight is a ministry, and this position is not just a regular 8 – 5 job. While the 8 – 5 hours serve as a basis for the typical work week, there are time that this position will be expected to participate in other events and sometimes unexpected involvement in situations with residents one counsels. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. Group Meetings happen within that time frame. The only program expectation is having counselors attend the weekly Monday night event (5:00 to 7:00). All counselors have the option to participate in other activities as they wish, i.e. fundraisers, concerts, Heartlight program activities, etc.

Compensation

Salary Range for this position to be determined:

$40,000 to $60,000.

Supervision Expenses

An LPC Associate will also receive paid supervision for 2 years paid by Heartlight, which is equal to approximately $3,500. Should the 2-year employment not be fulfilled all funds paid for supervision will need to be reimbursed back to Heartlight.

Fringe Benefits

Health and Dental Insurance (upon qualification) beginning on the 1st of the month following a 60-day waiting period. Heartlight will pay the first $300 and any additional expense will be determined by the health plan an employee chooses.

Additional Opportunities

IF a counselor wants to participate (and is asked) in the Parenting Today’s Teens Crisis Coaching program to meet with non-Heartlight parents, these four 1-hour phone sessions during your time off, will produce $270 that month.

IF a counselor chooses to participate (and is asked) in the Families in Crisis Conferences, held at Heartlight 4 times a year, attended by non-Heartlight parents for a Thursday noon through Saturday noon, this will produce $500 each Conference.

IF a resident completes the Heartlight program (Graduation), and if the parent participates in this “transition back to home follow-up” which involves weekly calls for 12 weeks, the counselor will receive an additional $1,500 per resident, which could produce an additional $18,000 a year if parents are agreeable to participate. Currently, 96% of families do participate in this after-care program.

401(k) Retirement Plan

After a year of service, a counselor may participate in Heartlight’s 401(k) program where Heartlight will match dollar-for-dollar any funds placed in the counselor’s account up to 8%.

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Paid time off (PTO) is accumulated beginning the hire date after 10 days during the first year of employment, then of 18 days after a year’s employment.

Counselors are also given an extra 6 days off for their participation in the Weekend Family Retreats.

This position also receives 11 Paid Holidays.