employment for bilingual Spanish mental health counselor (Atlanta: insurance, neighborhoods)

[Zaramonte]

While searching for job opportunies, I rarely see ads for English/Spanish speaking mental health counselors. As a seasoned therapist, I wonder about the need for bilingual counselors in metro Atlanta. Where do I begin to start my search ?

[atlantagreg30127]

Maybe others can point you exactly to the right recruiting services, but you do need to keep in mind that a sizable portion of the Hispanic population in metro Atlanta are here illegally. They traditionally don't go to established "legit" counseling services or mental health professionals if needed. They either don't seek treatment, or go to hole-in-the-wall type places in strip centers in neighborhoods where people prey (er... "cater") to their groups.

[CMMom]

Well, there is definitely a need in Gwinnett County. You need to be an approved provider for Medicaid/PeachCare though. I would venture to guess that most of the Hispanic population (not all-don't flame me!) are on one of those plans (e.g., not on private insurance plans or able to self-pay). Greg, although a lot of them are here illegally, their kids who are born here qualify for SCHIP help, so you get lots of calls about the kids. I would also say that Hall County is a place where bilingual therapists are needed.

[lauramachado]

You're right. I recently graduated from my professional counseling masters program and I am amazed of the lack of Spanish speaking counselors in Atlanta. That is a plus for me since I do speak Spanish but such a bad thing for the Hispanic community that is in such a need.

My contact info in case you'd like to refer clients is:

Laura Machado, M.A.
(404) 266-0695
4200 Northside Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30345

Originally Posted by Zaramonte

While searching for job opportunies, I rarely see ads for English/Spanish speaking mental health counselors. As a seasoned therapist, I wonder about the need for bilingual counselors in metro Atlanta. Where do I begin to start my search ?

[RoslynHolcomb]

At the moment, at least from what I've seen, no one is hiring in social services, period. I do occasionally see a listing at the local hospitals for a bilingual therapist.