WARN Mental Health Counselor

This job posting was opened on June 11, 2025. Please note that we will be prioritizing candidates who are current IRC (and recently employed by IRC) staff before other applicants. If necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.

IRC Background: IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Seattle is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview:

The mental health counselor provides culturally and linguistically appropriate individual and group mental health counseling services primarily to Spanish-speaking survivors of human trafficking utilizing evidenced-based and evidenced-informed interventions. Services are provided to survivors from various national and ethnic backgrounds. This position does not directly manage any staff but will work as part of a team and will coordinate activities with WARN case managers and other staff. In addition to providing counseling services, this position helps educate survivors of human trafficking about behavioral health and engages in capacity building activities as IRC works to educate providers about human trafficking victims' and survivors' health needs to strengthen community capacity to respond to and serve survivors. This position reports to the Clinical Supervisor.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide in-office and/or remote individual and group counseling to all assigned clients.
• Utilize the most appropriate evidenced-based and evidenced-informed practices to mitigate distress and improve symptoms under the supervision of a clinical supervisor.
• Formulate individual and family service plans.
• Deliver all services utilizing a client-centered and trauma-informed approach.
• Based on clients' needs, make referrals to psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care providers, or other outside services providers.
• Arrange for interpreters for individual therapy sessions as needed.
• Manage suicide assessments, safety planning, mandatory reporting as needed.
• Manage a caseload of clients by providing services mentioned previously and maintaining client files by completing required documentation, reports and data entry in a timely manner.
• Communicate and coordinate regularly with the Clinical Supervisor and WARN Case Managers to ensure that services are being delivered effectively and in a timely manner.
• Provide group outreach sessions and workshops, as requested by WARN clients.
• Support development and delivery of Psychoeducation modules and Psychological First Aid training.
• Provide network capacity-building activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:Clinical Supervisor

Indirect Reporting:Mental Health Program Manager

Position Supervises:N/A

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal:MHPSS Team, WARN Team, Family Wellness Team, Resettlement Team, Employment Team, Immigration Team, Youth Program Team, New Roots Team, Health Empowerment Team, Volunteer Coordinator, Finance Team, Operations Team, Development Team.

External:API Chaya, REST, KIND, Northwest Justice Project, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Seattle Police Department, US Attorney's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking, City of Seattle Human Services Division, Washington State Office for Crime Victim Advocacy, Washington State Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons, and additional partners.

Job Requirements:

• Master's degree in relevant field or equivalent professional and/or lived experience with ability for independent licensure within 24 months.
• At least two years' experience providing mental health therapy, specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, alternative specialty a plus.
• Fluency in English and Spanish.
• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred.
• In lieu of lived experience, experience working with refugees and/or immigrants; cross-cultural or overseas experience accepted.
• Understanding of the systems that intersect with migration and resettlement.
• Understanding of social service system.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong intercultural communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning.
• Strong computer, keyboard, email, and general office skills.
• Current driver's license and valid insurance.

Working Environment:

• Standard, professional office environment (flexible remote and in-office).
• Access to a reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area.
• Position may involve evening and weekend work and travel.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.