LEAD THERAPIST (LICENSED)

UHS•Atlanta, GA

32d•Onsite

About The Position

Laurel Heights Hospital is a 112-bed facility located in Atlanta Ga. We are dedicated to providing youth with compassionate mental health treatment that encourages self-responsibility and personal growth. We provide psychiatric treatment to children and adolescents that present with a broad range of psychiatric, behavioral disorders and autism. A clinically skilled multidisciplinary team works to partner with the youth and family to accomplish their goals in a supportive and therapeutic environment. JOB DESCRIPTION Team Lead Therapist Position Summary The Team Lead Therapist provides clinical leadership and oversight for the therapeutic services on an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. This role is responsible for coordinating treatment planning, supervising assigned therapists, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and maintaining high-quality, trauma-informed care. The Team Lead Therapist collaborates with physicians, nursing, behavioral staff, and external stakeholders to support patient stabilization, safety, and successful transition to the next level of care.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy, Psychology, or related field.
Independent clinical license required (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or Psychologist).
Minimum 3 years of experience in psychiatric or behavioral health settings.
Strong clinical assessment and crisis intervention skills
Knowledge of DSM-5, risk assessment, and level-of-care criteria
Excellent documentation and organizational skills
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams
Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice
Proficiency with EMR systems
Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use computer for extended periods

Nice To Haves

Clinical supervision credential preferred where applicable.
Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
Experience with acute/crisis populations strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads daily multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and ensures individualized treatment plans are clinically sound and measurable.
Provides clinical guidance and mentorship to assigned therapists, interns, and behavioral health staff.
Reviews biopsychosocial assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries for quality and compliance.
Ensures therapeutic interventions align with evidence-based practices and trauma-informed care principles.
Assists with crisis intervention, de-escalation, and risk assessment as needed.
May have a partial caseload to assist with patient overflow
Oversees group therapy programming and ensures appropriate therapeutic milieu on the unit.
Coordinates care with psychiatrists, nurses, BCBAs/RBTs, case managers, and admissions staff.
Monitors length of stay, barriers to discharge, and aftercare planning.
Facilitates family sessions, collateral contacts, and community coordination.
Provides formal and informal supervision to therapists, including case consultation and documentation coaching.
Supports scheduling, coverage, and workflow management for the clinical team.
Ensures documentation meets standards of The Joint Commission/CARF, CMS, state regulations, and facility policy.
Conducts chart audits and participates in performance improvement initiatives.
Completes risk notifications, incident reviews, and clinical follow-up as required.
Maintains confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and facility policies.
Serves as a liaison between clinical services and other hospital departments.
Communicates effectively with guardians, families, external providers, DFCS/court systems when applicable.
Models professional behavior and promotes a culture of respect, safety, and recovery.