School-Based Mental Health Therapist

CHRIS 180•Atlanta, GA

2d•$40,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The School-Based Therapist is part of CHRIS 180’s School-Based Mental Health program and is placed in an elementary, middle, or high school in the metro Atlanta area. The role primarily provides individual and family counseling, along with group services when clinically indicated. The Therapist works closely with school staff to coordinate referrals, intakes, and updates on active and past cases, and provides training and consultation on trauma-informed care for students. The Therapist assesses students’ trauma histories, acuity, strengths, and needs; determines appropriate services and evidence-based interventions; provides clinical impressions; administers behavioral health assessments; and evaluates functioning and progress toward goals. Services include outpatient individual, family, and group counseling or training for consumers with mental health, co-occurring, or substance abuse disorders. The role also involves referrals, advocacy, coordination with schools and other providers, clinical documentation, case management, and maintaining professional, ethical, and safety standards. This is a year-round, full-time role of 40 hours per week. The Therapist reports to assigned school(s) five days per week and remains on campus for the full school day. Availability to meet with guardians and families after school is required, including at least one evening per week. Occasional evening or weekend availability may be needed for school or community outreach events.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, and/or marriage and family therapy, and ability to obtain licensure.
Clinical expertise in child development, dysfunction, counseling, treatment planning, and diagnosis.
Ability to work independently in a school environment without agency support onsite.
Skill in providing individual, family, and group therapy.
Ability to relate effectively to clients and parents or custodians from diverse social, economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
Sound decision-making related to the safety and well-being of clients, families, the community, and staff.
Ability to make decisions guided by precedent and established policies and procedures.
Dependability, emotional stability, and physical capability.
Ability to recognize when assistance or consultation is needed.
Technical expertise to make informed decisions, use available tools and resources, and provide training.
Accountability for completing work accurately and on time and following up as needed.
Ability to collaborate with staff, communicate appropriately in writing and verbally, adapt to changing circumstances and new ideas, and manage workload with realistic timelines and goals.
Availability to work 40 hours per week year-round, report to school(s) five days per week, and designate at least one day per week for evening availability; occasional evening or weekend availability may be required.

Responsibilities

Assess clients’ and students’ trauma histories, acuity, strengths, and needs.
Screen, evaluate, and triage potential consumers to determine appropriate services and evidence-based interventions.
Provide initial clinical impressions and administer behavioral health and other clinically indicated assessments.
Use evidence-based practices and consider ACE scores and their implications for service planning.
Evaluate and document clients’ level of functioning and progress toward goals.
Make referrals to address consumers’ health, well-being, education, mental health, and employment needs.
Facilitate or participate in student or client team meetings as needed.
Collaborate and communicate with school-system programs, CHRIS 180 programs, and other providers.
Advocate for clients with other agencies and coordinate services.
Provide individual, family, and group counseling or training to consumers with mental health, co-occurring, or substance abuse disorders.
Provide therapy to students and families referred to the School-Based Mental Health Program.
Use engagement skills and clinical expertise to provide trauma-focused mental health treatment.
Manage a clinical caseload according to session frequency and billable-hour expectations.
Provide CSI services to children and families as clinically indicated.
Document case activities promptly, maintain compliant case files, complete PRTF applications as needed, and complete monthly documentation and case trackers.
Follow organizational policies and procedures and attend required clinical supervision, meetings, and training.
Maintain consumer confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical standards; follow mandated reporting requirements under Georgia law.
Support emotional and physical safety for consumers, staff, and other stakeholders, and promote a positive image of CHRIS 180 programs.
Contribute collaboratively to the team and respond promptly to consumers, referral sources, stakeholders, and peers by email and telephone.
Maintain required certifications and licensure status and review and respond to organizational and programmatic policies.
Report to assigned schools five days per week, remain on campus for the school day, and maintain after-school and evening availability as specified.

Benefits

Free clinical supervision for licensure
Paid time off (PTO)
11 paid holidays, including a paid company break from December 24 through January 1
Competitive 403(b) benefit defined contribution plan
Healthcare insurance options (HMO and PPO)
Dental and vision insurance options
Employer-paid short-term disability
Employer-paid basic life insurance equal to one times salary
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Discounted college tuition at select colleges and universities