Family Support Counselor

The Family Support Counselor provides guidance, education, and practical support to families impacted by mental health challenges. This role offers consultation and assistance to families of adults with serious mental illness, helping them build stability, strengthen relationships, and improve overall quality of life. Additionally, the counselor supports youth services by connecting families to community resources, linking young people to prosocial activities, and coordinating Strengthening Families programs to ensure smooth implementation and meaningful outcomes for participants.

Responsibilities:

The Family Support Counselor will report directly to the Intensive Family Support Services Program Manager and will:

• Provide ongoing consultation to families of adults (18+) with serious mental illness to promote stability, quality of life, empowerment, and protection of family rights.


• Support families in developing coping strategies, stress reduction techniques, problem-solving, and effective communication skills.


• Address relationship dynamics, social environment challenges, and issues related to grief and loss across the life cycle.


• Facilitate family support groups and provide psychoeducation on major mental illness, including bio-neurological aspects, substance use, psychotropic medications, and associated risks.


• Design and deliver psychoeducational workshops and presentations on evidence-based treatment practices and modalities.


• Provide crisis intervention and safety planning as needed.


• Assist families in accessing and utilizing appropriate community resources to meet identified needs.


• Deliver services in flexible settings based on family preference.


• Maintain timely and accurate documentation, following appropriate termination processes, and attend peer supervision and required meetings.


• Oversee and manage the implementation and execution of the Strengthening Families Program ensuring the program's effectiveness in supporting and empowering families and facilitate the group sessions ensuring that the program content is delivered effectively and appropriately to participants.


• Oversee the execution of the Strengthening Families Program.


• Ensure the Strengthening Families Program is effectively supporting families, empowering participants, and meeting program goals.


• Facilitate group sessions, ensuring the program content is delivered in an appropriate and engaging manner.


• Work closely with staff and external partners to ensure the program’s success and assess its impact.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Strong understanding of major mental illnesses, psychotropic medications, and co‑occurring substance use issues.


• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented practices, and culturally responsive service delivery.


• Ability to engage families with diverse backgrounds, needs, and communication styles.


• Skilled in group facilitation, conflict resolution, and motivational approaches.


• Strong organizational skills for managing program logistics, documentation, and multiparter coordination.


• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and adapt to flexible service settings (home, community, virtual).

• Two years’ experience working in the mental health field with individuals with serious mental illness.


• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation


• Spanish Speaking is a plus, but not necessary.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health or related field


• Certification or training in evidence-based programs Strengthening Families Program) is a plus but can be obtained upon hire.