In School Mental Health Counselor

TREE OF LIFE FAMILY SERVICES LLC • Sterling, VA

15d • $22 - $26 • Onsite

About The Position

Tree of Life Family Services is hiring school-based Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT) Counselors to provide therapeutic and behavioral health support to children and adolescents in Loudoun County, Virginia. Counselors help students develop emotional regulation, coping, communication, social, problem-solving, and behavioral skills that support success at school. This caseload-based, hourly W-2 position may be part-time or full-time; scheduled hours depend on the assigned caseload, service authorizations, school schedules, student needs, and program operations. Hours may increase as caseloads grow, but a full school-day schedule is not guaranteed.

The position is primarily school-based. Counselors generally need to be available Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, with their actual assigned schedule determined by school operating hours and program needs. Counselors are generally not scheduled during school holidays, breaks, weather closures, or other school closures; unscheduled periods are generally unpaid unless otherwise communicated or provided under company policy. Summer work may be available, but hours, schedules, caseloads, and assignments are not guaranteed. There is no routine requirement to work from the Tree of Life office, though counselors must attend in-person office activities when required.

Before independently providing 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. Applicants with a pending QMHP-Trainee application may be considered during recruitment, but must obtain active registration before receiving a caseload or beginning independent service delivery. Recruitment, screening, credential review, and appropriate onboarding may occur while an application is pending; the direct-service start date and school assignment may depend on credential verification, onboarding completion, placement, and caseload availability.

Tree of Life provides TDT-specific orientation, training, clinical supervision, and ongoing professional development. Opportunities for increased hours and additional responsibilities may become available based on credentials, qualifications, performance, caseload growth, and program needs. Compensation is competitive hourly pay based on credential status, qualifications, directly relevant experience, and overall fit. The role is nonexempt. Health insurance is not currently offered for this position.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a related behavioral health field.
• Before independent Medicaid-funded TDT service delivery, active Virginia QMHP-Trainee registration, active QMHP registration, or another qualifying Virginia behavioral health credential authorized to provide Medicaid-funded TDT services is required. Listed qualifying credentials include LMHP, LMHP-Resident, LMHP-Supervisee, and LMHP-RP.
• QMHP eligibility alone, a pending application, Board receipt, checklist, or proof of submitted documents does not substitute for an active credential.
• 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; actual assigned hours depend on school schedule, caseload, student authorizations, and program needs.
• Punctuality, attendance, and reliable presence during assigned school hours.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with children and adolescents is preferred.
• Applicants who meet the requirements to pursue QMHP-Trainee registration but have not yet received active registration may be considered during recruitment, subject to obtaining active registration 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 tied 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 communicate professionally and consistently 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 and 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 established 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 procedures and applicable DBHDS, Medicaid, Virginia Board, school, safety, documentation, and professional requirements.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and represent Tree of Life professionally within the school community.
• Arrive punctually, remain available during assigned school hours, and communicate promptly about 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 Tree of Life.
• Monitor a pending Virginia Board of Counseling application, follow up on outstanding items, respond promptly to Board requests, update Human Resources on registration status, and provide active registration or current DHP credential verification once issued, if applicable.
• Attend scheduled in-person office trainings, meetings, supervision, audits, or other program activities when required.
• Travel to assigned school locations throughout Loudoun County.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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