School Mental Health Therapist

Latin American Youth Center•Washington, DC

22d•$68,000 - $72,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The School-Based Mental Health Therapist provides prevention, early intervention, and individual and family therapy services to students and the school community. The therapist is assigned full-time to a school and works closely with school staff to support students and their families. Clinical supervision, LAYC meetings, and trainings may take place at LAYC or other locations. The therapist provides services to a caseload of 15–20 students, collaborates with school teams to address mental health and behavioral barriers to learning, supports prevention and early-intervention efforts, and provides continuity of care during school vacations and summer break. The role also involves crisis support, timely documentation, clinical supervision, and maintaining required clearances and training. This is largely a sedentary position involving speaking, hearing, seeing, and lifting small objects up to 10 pounds. Local and/or regional travel may be required. The position requires a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings for school events.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.
At minimum, a graduate-level license in the District of Columbia (LGSW or LGPC).
At least two years of experience working with youth experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse challenges.
Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
Ability to communicate and work well with culturally diverse populations.
Flexible schedule, including occasional evenings for school events.
COVID-19 vaccination; proof is requested at interview and onboarding.
Complete criminal and child abuse/neglect clearances.

Responsibilities

Provide therapy to a caseload of 15–20 students, including individual and family services, diagnostic assessment, and some clinical case management.
Collaborate with the school’s professional educational team, including teachers, principals, school counselors, and social workers, to meet student needs and remove mental health and behavioral barriers to learning.
Educate students and families to reduce stigma related to mental health treatment.
Collaborate with the school wellness team to provide prevention services and promote a positive school climate, resilience, wellness, and effective stress coping.
Deliver early interventions to students with identified risk factors by facilitating student groups or consulting with caregivers and staff.
Provide continuity of care during school vacations and summer break through ongoing services to students and families at home, in the community, or at LAYC.
Support students in crisis through risk assessments, safety planning, and support.
Document all services in the electronic database within 48 hours.
Meet weekly with the Clinical Supervisor for individual supervision and participate in group clinical supervision.
Update clearances and complete training as required by DBH regulations.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans with prescription coverage.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Voluntary long-term disability and supplemental life insurance.
Matching 401(k) program beginning at hire.
Three weeks of paid vacation leave per year, accrued as PTO and increasing to four weeks with tenure.
12 paid holidays per year.
12 days of paid sick leave per year.
Four wellness days.
Eight weeks of paid parental leave, including adoption and foster care.
Health club discounts.
One to two days per week of telework for most positions, eligible after the first 60 days.