Early Childhood Therapist

D A Blodgett-St Johns•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Early Childhood Attachment Therapists provide relationship‑focused, home‑ and community‑based support to infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. Using an Infant Mental Health framework (training provided), therapists partner with families to strengthen caregiver‑child attachment, promote healthy social‑emotional development, and reduce risks related to trauma, developmental delays, and behavioral or emotional challenges. The role includes direct therapeutic services, developmental guidance, and collaboration with childcare providers to help children thrive in their earliest years.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or Marriage & Family Therapy.
Licensed to practice mental health therapy in the state of Michigan (LLMSW/LMSW, LLP, LLC/LPC, LLMFT, LMFT). If temporary or limited licensed, must be completing steps towards full license.
Candidates should have or be willing to work toward a level II MI-AIMH Endorsement by starting on an IMH Waiver.
Strong knowledge of early child development and the common diagnoses and treatments for children.
Demonstrate competencies in observation of parent/child interaction, developmental assessment, child management, attachment and understanding of the parallel process in therapeutic work.
Training and the ability to provide effective individual, family, and group therapy skills.
Ability to assess and implement crisis intervention skills and safety plan.
Possess a knowledge of community resources and support for young children and families, and the skills necessary to facilitate and encourage positive change towards treatment goals.
Valid driver's license, good driving record and adequate insurance with a car available always.
Ability to articulate ideas and prepare written reports and correspondence that are of a high professional standard, are grammatically correct and are timely.
Ability to collaborate with daycare, school, Department of Health & Human service, behavioral health and medical health personnel.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of clinical issues related to foster and adopted children and families is preferred.
Experience working with children from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide home‑ and community‑based therapy, assessment, and treatment to infants, toddlers, and their caregivers.
Maintain required caseload and meet families for 3-4 visits per month, adjusting locations based on the child’s caregiving environment.
Use Infant Mental Health principles to deliver parent‑child psychotherapy, play‑based interventions, and developmental guidance.
Complete timely documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and required reporting.
Support childcare providers with consultation aimed at preventing suspension or expulsion.
Monitor child development using standardized tools and share results with caregivers in a supportive, culturally responsive manner.
Collaborate with community partners, attend case‑related meetings, and advocate for family needs.
Participate in reflective supervision, team meetings, and required training hours.
Maintain flexible scheduling to meet family needs and ensure accessibility within the team.
All other duties assigned by any supervisor.