See Psychiatric Youth Counselor 1.

Incumbents assist with activities of daily living, and model and implement evidence-based practices for a small caseload of patients, and situational counseling and supervision. Tasks are typically recurring and limited in scope and requires adequate level of knowledge and competency to work with psychiatric youth patients.

Provides situational counseling, orientation, and mentorship to a caseload of patients;

Models and implements evidence-based practices (i.e. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving, Positive Behavioral Support, Trauma Informed Care) and behavioral approaches under the supervision of a clinical treatment team;

Monitors, communicates, and documents behavioral observations and patient progress towards treatment;

Facilitates the development of child and adolescent social skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills;

Assists patients with activities of daily living based on developmentally age appropriate approaches;

Functions as a patient advocate and mentor for a small caseload of patients;

Prepares written documentation, per The Joint Commission and Centers of Medicare and Medicaid standards of practice, including extensive documentation of incidents involving sexual activity, physical aggression and injury to patients in accordance with legal mandates;

Promotes a culture of safety through ongoing monitoring of the environment of care;

Maintains the treatment program and supports a therapeutic milieu;

Intervenes in psychiatric crisis situations in order to de-escalate dangerous and/or assaultive situations utilizing basic de-escalation techniques and advanced crisis intervention strategies;

Applies approved Crisis Prevention Institute non-violent and advanced crisis intervention techniques to physically contain/restrain patients in imminent risk;

Initiates, leads, and supervises therapeutic activities on and off the treatment setting;

Assists in community transition activities and off-campus transportations;

Participates in a limited capacity as a member of the multi-disciplinary clinical treatment by providing input and feedback based on clinical observations;

Executes both individualized and continuous therapeutic interventions, when clinically necessary;

Participates in ongoing educational and professional development activities;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: age-specific care and familiarity with evidence-based approaches.

Ability to: relate to a broad spectrum of emotionally, socially, and behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents; function as an integral part of a team, deal with stressful situations in a positive and nonpunitive manner; be aware of the possibility of highly volatile situations and be able to intervene in psychiatric crises quickly and appropriately, plan and supervise both on and off campus activities; communicate effectively orally and in writing.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

If the position has duties designated as defined under WAC 246-810-010, the incumbent must possess and maintain a current Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor or higher counseling related credential from the Washington State Department of Health.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Social Sciences, Education, Recreation, Psychology, or related field.


Satisfactory completion of two years of college, preferably with emphasis in one of the social sciences


Two years of experience working with individuals in a psychiatric, mental health or health care setting


Successful completion of in-training plan


Equivalent education/experience.

New class: Effective 1-24-75
Revised definition: 6-10-77
Revised definition and minimum qualifications: 7-1-99
Revised minimum qualifications: 2-11-2000
Revised minimum qualifications: 3-12-2004
New class code: (formerly 56070) effective July 1, 2007
Base range salary adjustment (from 45 to 49): adopted June 29, 2022, effective July 1, 2022
Created class series concept and revised definition, typical work, knowledge and abilities, and legal requirements: adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Revised title (formerly Psychiatric Child Care Counselor 1), class series concept, typical work, legal requirements, and desirable qualifications; base range increase from 49 to 52: adopted June 23, 2025; effective July 1, 2025.