Advance Your Career as a Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor with the VA

Are you a seasoned mental health professional looking to make a profound difference? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently seeking a dedicated Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to join our Readjustment Counseling Service. This role is more than just a job; it is a commitment to the men and women who have served our country.

Job Responsibilities

As a Senior Counselor, you will operate at the top of your license. Key responsibilities include:

Direct Clinical Care: Providing psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families.
Crisis Management: Leading risk assessments and safety planning.
Mentorship: Providing clinical supervision to trainees and unlicensed staff members.
System Improvement: Using data to design and implement service-delivery enhancements.
Outreach: Acting as a clinical bridge to help veterans access the care they earned.

Core Competencies Comparison

Feature	Standard Counselor	Senior Counselor
Scope of Practice	Direct Care	Direct Care + System Design
Clinical Supervision	Receives Supervision	Provides Supervision
Influence	Patient Level	Clinic & Policy Level
Mentorship	Peer-Level	Staff/Trainee Mentorship

Requirements

To be considered for this role, applicants must possess a graduate degree in a related field from a CACREP-accredited institution and maintain a full, unrestricted license. We look for individuals with at least five years of post-licensed experience who demonstrate deep clinical expertise.

Benefits

Beyond a competitive salary, the VA offers the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which can provide up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement for eligible professionals. You will also have access to federal health benefits, retirement programs, and ongoing clinical development.

How to Apply

Applying is a streamlined process through the official USAJOBS portal. Ensure your resume is long-form, reflecting both paid and unpaid volunteer experiences. Be sure to include your state license information and academic transcripts in your submission package.

If you are a clinical leader ready to shape the future of veteran readjustment care, we invite you to apply. Join the VA and help us honor those who served.

Why This Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Job Matters

Empower those who served by joining a mission-driven team where your clinical expertise creates life-changing support for America’s veterans.

Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a highly skilled Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to serve at our Vet Centers. In this role, you will provide critical readjustment counseling, clinical consultation, and mentorship to help veterans navigate complex psychosocial challenges. This position is perfect for a seasoned clinician ready to step into a leadership-adjacent role that balances direct patient care with system-wide clinical influence.

Requirements for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

U.S. Citizenship status.
Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
Current, full, and unrestricted state license to independently practice as an LPMHC.
Minimum of five years of post-licensed professional experience.
Proven experience equivalent to the GS-11 level.
English language proficiency in both writing and speaking.
Completion of Selective Service registration for males born after 1959.
Ability to satisfy security and background investigation requirements.

Preferred Qualifications for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Demonstrated ability to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed staff.
Advanced mastery of family systems theory and specialized treatment modalities.
Experience in designing system-wide clinical changes based on data analysis.
Expertise in complex psychiatric and psychosocial diagnosis.
History of successful mentorship and clinical teaching in a multidisciplinary environment.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility up to $200,000.
✓Comprehensive federal health insurance and retirement plans.
✓Opportunities for telework and flexible scheduling.
✓Dedicated professional development and mentorship programs.
✓Stable career path within a mission-critical federal agency.

💡 How to Apply Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Job

Prepare your long-form resume or CV and academic transcripts.
Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Submit the full online application and required questionnaire.
Upload all supporting documentation, including state licensure and DD-214 if applicable.
Monitor your email for status updates and follow-up requests.

💡 General Tips

Be specific in your resume; do not rely on assumptions about your experience level.
Highlight your clinical supervision experience clearly, as this is vital for the Senior designation.
Ensure your transcripts are legible and directly uploaded to your application profile.
Address all KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) in your resume narrative.
Check your application status regularly through the USAJOBS portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EDRP and how does it work?

The Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) is a student loan reimbursement program offered by the VHA. It can provide up to $200,000 over one to five years for qualifying positions. You must apply within four months of your appointment.

Can I apply if I am not currently licensed to provide supervision?

This specific senior-level role requires candidates to demonstrate competency and expertise in providing clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed staff, which is a core function of the position.

Is this position fully remote?

No, this is not a virtual position. While some telework may be available, you are expected to be on-site to provide direct counseling and interact with the local veteran community.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care system in the United States. We operate under the mission to honor President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have borne the battle. At our Vet Centers, we foster a culture of I CARE: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.