Lead Counselor/Therapist in Triangle, Virginia at Mainspring Recovery

About Mainspring Recovery

Mainspring Recovery is a mission-driven behavioral health organization built on the belief that healing happens when the right people are in the room. We provide care across multiple levels, including Residential, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient (IOP), supporting individuals and families throughout the recovery process.

Every role at Mainspring, clinical and non-clinical alike, contributes to creating safe, structured, and effective environments where people can rebuild their lives. We invest in strong teams, clear systems, and thoughtful leadership, believing meaningful impact comes from doing the work well, supporting one another, and holding ourselves to high standards across the organization.

Lead Counselor/Therapist

Reports To:
Clinical Director/Clinical Supervisor/Executive Director

Department:
Clinical

Location:
On-site, Dumfries, VA

Employment Type:
Full-time | Salaried | Exempt

8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday

Compensation:

The pay range for this position is $70,000 - $96,000 annually, set in good faith based on the responsibilities of the role, qualifications, and market conditions.

The Lead [Counselor/Therapist] plays a key clinical leadership role within Mainspring Recovery, supporting the coordination, continuity, and quality of client care from admission through discharge and follow-up. This position serves as a senior clinical teammate and informal leader within the interdisciplinary treatment team and works closely with the Clinical leadership to support program operations, staff coordination, and audit readiness.

The Lead [Counselor/Therapist] maintains a clinical caseload while providing guidance, problem-solving support, and coverage to ensure smooth day-to-day clinical operations. This role is instrumental in promoting compassionate, compliant, and client-centered care aligned with organizational values and regulatory standards.

• Coordinate and support all aspects of client care from admission through discharge and follow-up in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all required clinical documentation, including treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and client databases, in accordance with state, federal, and accreditation standards.
• Maintain a clinical caseload and provide coverage for additional cases as needed to support team functioning and continuity of care.
• Support client orientation to program structure, expectations, rules, client rights, and phases of treatment, ensuring clients are appropriately assessed and placed according to applicable guidelines.
• Keep all client records organized, current, and audit-ready.
• Provide individual, group, family, and other therapeutic services as outlined in each client’s Individualized Treatment Plan and determined by the Treatment Team.
• Address client clinical needs and coordinate referrals to community resources and external providers as appropriate.
• Ensure required client documentation is collected and maintained in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Submit required statistical, outcome, and program data as assigned.
• Communicate relevant clinical developments and operational concerns affecting clients or program operations to appropriate leadership.
• Provide teammate coverage as scheduled, including on-call support when required.
• Complete administrative tasks related to clinical operations and documentation oversight.
• Serve in an interim supervisory capacity when the Clinical Supervisor is off-site, as delegated.
• Support the Clinical Supervisor with problem-solving, conflict resolution, and readiness for state, CARF, or other regulatory audits.
• Model compassionate, ethical care and empower clients to achieve their highest level of functioning within the community.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and required professional development activities in a timely manner.
• Provide clinical support and guidance to members of the treatment team as needed.
• Perform all other duties as assigned to support clinical operations and organizational goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates/Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related behavioral health field preferred.
• Appropriate state licensure or certification for counseling required.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience in addiction treatment and/or behavioral health.
• Previous leadership, supervisory, or mentoring experience preferred.

• Strong working knowledge of confidentiality regulations including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Understanding of state, federal, and accreditation standards applicable to behavioral health treatment.
• Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment and remain calm in crisis situations.
• Strong crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to build professional rapport with clients while maintaining ethical boundaries.
• Demonstrated empathy toward clients and families.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and Mainspring’s Core Values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Ethics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Proficiency with EMR/EHR systems and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

• Direct care clinical position
• Work may occur in outpatient, residential, or community-based settings.

• Full-time Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm with evening, weekend, and on-call hours required based on program needs.

• The Lead Clinician plays a critical role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, client-centered services while maintaining clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and positive client outcomes. This position serves as a bridge between direct care staff and leadership, providing clinical oversight and operational support to promote consistent treatment practices and a culture of accountability. The Lead Clinician helps ensure that clients receive effective, evidence-based care while supporting team development and organizational goals.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Consistently high standards of clinical care and documentation quality.
• Improved client outcomes and treatment engagement.
• Strong clinician development, retention, and performance.
• Compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and organizational standards.
• A collaborative, supportive environment that fosters both client and employee success.

Mainspring conducts, as required, job-related background checks, drug testing, TB testing, verification of employment history, and/or reference checks prior to employment.

Mainspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

EEO is the Law:
http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf