In School Mental Health Counselor

Tree Of Life Family Services • Sterling, VA

14d • Onsite

About The Position

Tree of Life Family Services, LLC is hiring Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT) Counselors to provide school-based therapeutic and behavioral health support to children and adolescents in Loudoun County, Virginia. Counselors help students strengthen emotional regulation, coping, communication, social, problem-solving, and behavioral skills to support success at school. This is a caseload-based, hourly W-2 nonexempt position that may be part-time or full-time; scheduled hours depend on assigned caseloads, service authorizations, school schedules, student needs, and program operations. Counselors may begin with fewer hours as caseloads grow, with the possibility of a full school-day schedule. The general availability requirement is Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, but this does not guarantee eight paid hours per day.

The role is primarily school-based, with documentation, communication, and virtual meetings completed as assigned. There is no routine requirement to work from the company office, though attendance at in-person trainings, meetings, supervision, audits, or other program activities may be required. Counselors generally are not scheduled when students are unavailable due to school holidays, breaks, weather closures, or other school closures; unscheduled periods are generally unpaid. Summer services may be available, but summer assignments and hours are not guaranteed.

Before independently delivering Medicaid-funded TDT services or receiving a student caseload, counselors must have an active Virginia QMHP-Trainee registration, active QMHP registration, or another qualifying Virginia behavioral health credential. Candidates with a pending QMHP-Trainee application may participate in recruitment and appropriate onboarding, but must obtain active credential verification before independent service delivery or caseload assignment. Direct-service start dates and school assignments may also depend on onboarding completion, school placement, and caseload availability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a related behavioral health field.
• Active Virginia QMHP-Trainee registration, active QMHP registration, or another qualifying Virginia behavioral health credential before independently providing Medicaid-funded TDT services or receiving a caseload.
• Ability to build rapport with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to engage children in therapeutic, developmentally appropriate, interactive interventions.
• Strong communication, organization, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Dependability, punctuality, professionalism, and comfort working independently in a school environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, school personnel, supervisors, and treatment providers.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and responsive during behavioral or crisis situations.
• Ability to adapt professionally to changes in student needs, school operations, regulatory and payer requirements, documentation standards, credentialing requirements, and program procedures.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel to assigned school locations throughout Loudoun County.
• Reliable access to a computer for clinical documentation, communication, virtual meetings, training, and other required job responsibilities.
• General availability Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
• Punctuality, attendance, and reliable presence during assigned school hours.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with children and adolescents.
• Applicants who meet the requirements to pursue QMHP-Trainee registration but do not yet have active registration may be considered during recruitment; active registration is required before receiving a TDT caseload.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual therapeutic interventions, behavioral support, and skill-building services to assigned students.
• Engage students in purposeful, interactive, developmentally appropriate therapeutic activities connected to individualized treatment goals.
• Conduct individual student sessions and required classroom observations.
• Implement individualized treatment goals and monitor student progress.
• Conduct required weekly family sessions and maintain professional communication with parents and guardians.
• Coordinate care with school personnel and other treatment providers at least monthly and as needed.
• Collaborate with teachers, school social workers, administrators, families, and other members of each student’s treatment team.
• Complete accurate, timely clinical documentation in accordance with company standards and applicable program requirements.
• Participate in treatment planning, case consultation, and student-related meetings as required.
• Provide appropriate crisis intervention and de-escalation support and follow company and school crisis and safety protocols.
• Participate in required virtual TDT staff meetings, generally held every other week.
• Participate in required clinical supervision, generally held every other week on alternating weeks.
• Follow company policies and applicable DBHDS, Medicaid, Virginia Board, school, safety, documentation, and professional requirements.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and represent the company professionally within the school community.
• Arrive punctually, remain available during assigned school hours, and promptly communicate absences, emergencies, or scheduling concerns.
• Remain familiar with the Loudoun County Public Schools academic calendar and follow the work schedule and school assignment communicated by the company.
• Attend scheduled in-person trainings, meetings, supervision, audits, or other program activities at the office when required.
• Monitor a pending Virginia Board of Counseling application, follow up on outstanding items, respond promptly to Board requests, keep Human Resources informed, and provide active credential verification once issued, if applicable.

Benefits

• Free uniforms
• Opportunity for advancement
• TDT-specific orientation and training
• Clinical supervision
• Ongoing professional development
• Opportunities for increased hours and additional responsibilities based on credentials, qualifications, performance, caseload growth, and program needs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level