Christian Counseling Program Development Consultant - LMHP's

PRN | Independent Contractor (1099) | Project-Based

Organization: HCO Behavioral Health Services

About HCO

HCO Behavioral Health Services is a growing outpatient behavioral health organization committed to providing exceptional, evidence-based mental health services while honoring each client's values, beliefs, and treatment preferences.

As part of our continued growth, we are expanding our Christian Counseling program and are seeking an experienced consultant to help develop a comprehensive, clinically sound, ethically responsible, and insurance-compliant faith-based counseling model.

This is a unique opportunity to help build a program that equips clinicians to integrate Christian faith into counseling when requested by clients while maintaining the highest standards of professional practice, documentation, and clinical excellence.

Position Overview

• The Christian Counseling Program Development Consultant will partner with executive leadership to design, develop, and strengthen HCO's Faith-Based Counseling Program.
• The consultant will help create a structured framework that enables licensed mental health professionals to appropriately integrate Christian principles into evidence-based behavioral health treatment while remaining compliant with ethical standards, payer requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
• This role is project-based and intended to develop sustainable systems, training, resources, and best practices that can be implemented organization-wide.

Primary Responsibilities

The consultant may assist with:

Program Development

Design HCO's Christian Counseling program framework

• Develop a structured model for integrating faith into outpatient mental health treatment
• Create clinical guidelines and best practices
• Help define levels of faith integration based on client preference and informed consent
• Develop implementation strategies for clinicians

Clinical Training

Develop and deliver training covering topics such as:

Foundations of Christian Counseling

• Ethical integration of faith into psychotherapy
• When and how to appropriately discuss faith
• Client choice, informed consent, and autonomy
• Cultural humility and respect for diverse beliefs
• Appropriate use of prayer in counseling

Scripture within clinical practice

Faith-based interventions

Boundaries and ethical considerations

Maintaining professionalism while incorporating faith

Documentation & Insurance Compliance

Develop documentation standards that address:

• Appropriate documentation of faith-based interventions
• Documentation that supports medical necessity

Insurance billing considerations

Evidence-based treatment planning

Appropriate terminology

Objective clinical documentation

• What should and should not be documented
• Documentation pitfalls and risk areas
• Clinical language that supports reimbursement while accurately reflecting treatment

Clinical Integration

Assist in developing guidance for:

• Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, and other evidence-based practices with Christian counseling principles
• Maintaining fidelity to evidence-based interventions while honoring clients' spiritual beliefs
• Appropriate incorporation of faith-based coping skills

Spiritually integrated treatment planning

Policies & Procedures

Assist with developing

Christian Counseling policies

Client informed consent language

Faith integration guidelines

Staff competency standards

Documentation expectations

Clinical decision-making guidelines

Risk management recommendations

Resource Development

Develop resources such as

Training curriculum

Staff manuals

Clinical reference guides

Documentation examples

Case studies

Best practice recommendations

Competency assessments

Ongoing education materials

Desired Qualifications

Candidates should possess experience in:

Christian Counseling

Licensed mental health practice

Clinical supervision, education, or training

Behavioral health program development

Evidence-based psychotherapy

Ethics in behavioral health practice

Clinical documentation

Insurance-compliant documentation

Training adult learners

Policy and procedure development

Preference will be given to candidates with experience developing faith-based behavioral health programs or teaching Christian counseling at the graduate or professional level.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal consultant demonstrates

• Strong Christian faith and spiritual maturity
• Deep understanding of evidence-based mental health treatment
• Respect for client autonomy and informed choice
• Knowledge of professional ethics and standards of care
• Excellent teaching and curriculum development skills

Strong written communication abilities

Ability to bridge clinical excellence with thoughtful faith integration

Engagement Structure

This is a project-based Independent Contractor (1099) position.

Projects may include

Program development

Training curriculum creation

Staff education

Clinical consultation

Documentation review

Policy development

Resource creation

Ongoing program evaluation

Workload will vary depending on project scope and organizational needs.

Compensation

Competitive compensation based on experience and project scope.

Compensation may be structured as:

Hourly consulting

Daily consulting rate

Fixed project fee

Training or workshop fee

Our Vision

HCO believes that faith can be an important source of healing for many individuals. Our goal is to develop a Christian Counseling program that is clinically excellent, ethically responsible, evidence-based, and respectful of every client's individual beliefs and treatment preferences.

We are seeking a consultant who shares this vision and is passionate about helping clinicians confidently and appropriately integrate faith into behavioral healthcare while maintaining the highest standards of professional practice.