Special Offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $75 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed with Urgently Hiring make a hire 5 days faster than non-sponsored jobs.**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires

Counselor Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
7 min read

A 1062376011counselor2.31mental health1.75substance abuse counselor1.41school counselor1.16social services0.995687476634927.2523.9959.30HOURLY22431058082025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Counselor, or Mental Health Counselor, works with patients to help them overcome and manage different mental and emotional challenges. Their duties include meeting with patients to listen to their problems, diagnosing their mental or emotional disorder and building treatment plans and coping strategies for the patient to follow.

1062376011counselor2.31mental health1.75substance abuse counselor1.41school counselor1.16social services0.995687476634927.2523.9959.30HOURLY22431058082025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Counselor duties and responsibilities

Typical duties and responsibilities as a 1062376011counselor2.31mental health1.75substance abuse counselor1.41school counselor1.16social services0.995687476634927.2523.9959.30HOURLY22431058082025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Counselor include:

  • Perform initial evaluations of client needs and develop customized treatment plans.
  • Educate staff and clients on stress and trauma coping mechanisms.
  • Provide individuals with the resources they need to reach personal goals.
  • Monitor client progress and modify their treatment plans as needed.
  • Coordinate with social and medical agencies, healthcare providers and community outreach programs to provide clients with needed services.
  • Complete continuing education courses to maintain National Certified 1062376011counselor2.31mental health1.75substance abuse counselor1.41school counselor1.16social services0.995687476634927.2523.9959.30HOURLY22431058082025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Counselor certification and stay up-to-date on the latest practices.

Hire your next Counselor today.

Build a job description

Hire your next Counselor today.

Build a job description
Close

Counselor Job Description Examples

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

What does a 1062376011counselor2.31mental health1.75substance abuse counselor1.41school counselor1.16social services0.995687476634927.2523.9959.30HOURLY22431058082025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Counselor do?

A Counselor works for healthcare facilities or educational institutions, working with patients and students to assess and diagnose their mental health or emotional issues. They may meet with patients regularly to develop treatments and goals to help improve their mental wellbeing. They’ll record the patient’s progress throughout each session and will teach the patient about the most effective coping mechanisms to help overcome their mental health challenges.

1062376011counselor2.31mental health1.75substance abuse counselor1.41school counselor1.16social services0.995687476634927.2523.9959.30HOURLY22431058082025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Counselor skills and qualifications

A successful candidate will have the following minimum skills and qualifications needed for the job as 1062376011counselor2.31mental health1.75substance abuse counselor1.41school counselor1.16social services0.995687476634927.2523.9959.30HOURLY22431058082025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Counselor:

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to empathize with clients
  • Ability to consider internal and external resources to develop a client treatment plan
  • Willingness to work on-call or at a sudden notice
  • Organizational skills

Counselor salary expectations

The average salary for a Counselor is $16.18 per hour. Exact salary may vary depending on the applicant’s education, experience level, geographical location and exact job duties. The typical tenure for a Counselor is less than one year.

Counselor salary expectations

2025-10-017.2523.9959.30HOURLY
  • Common salary: 23.99 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 7.25 - 59.30 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Counselor education and training requirements

The education and training requirements of a Counselor must meet company, state and local regulations. At a minimum, a candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work or counseling and either possess or be able to obtain a National Certified Counselor certification prior to employment. A master’s degree or doctorate in a related field may also be required.

Counselor experience requirements

Counselors may need experience writing assessments and reports to monitor client progress, working directly with clients or patients in an office or hospital setting or gaining experience as an intern under another Counselor. Any relevant experience working with people one-on-one is a plus.

Job description samples for similar positions

If you’re looking for candidates for similar roles to a Counselor, see our job description template for a related position:

Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

Frequently asked questions about Counselors

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Hire your next Counselor today.

Build a job description

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found