Youth Behavioral Health Therapist

Paving the Way Multi-Service Institute•Washington, DC

2d•$67,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Paving the Way MSI, you will do more than provide therapy you will help children and adolescents receive meaningful behavioral health support when they need it most. As a Youth Behavioral Health Therapist, you will provide immediate, short-term clinical services to young people experiencing grief, parental separation, adjustment difficulties, anxiety, and other situational concerns. You will support our Short-term Pediatric Access Network initiative within DC Mental Health Access in Pediatrics. This newly launched service provides approximately four to six focused sessions to eligible youth who need timely support while awaiting ongoing community-based care. If you are passionate about youth mental health and want to develop your clinical skills in a supportive environment, this role provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or a closely related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.
Active District of Columbia Licensed Graduate Social Worker or Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor license in good standing.
Ability to work effectively with youth, caregivers, providers, and interdisciplinary teams.
Ability to work the required hybrid schedule: 4 onsite days.

Nice To Haves

Board-approved clinical supervision toward independent licensure
Ongoing clinical consultation, professional development, and support
Opportunity to build experience with children, adolescents, and families
Experience providing brief interventions, individual therapy, and family therapy
Collaborative environment with a multidisciplinary team
We handle insurance credentialing so you can focus on client care
Access to AI-powered documentation tools to reduce administrative burden

Responsibilities

Maintain a focused, rotating panel of approximately 10 children and adolescents receiving short-term services.
Review referrals and help determine whether youth are appropriate for brief clinical intervention.
Conduct brief clinical, risk, and needs assessments.
Recognize higher-acuity needs requiring crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluation, or a more intensive level of care.
Develop and deliver structured four-to-six-session treatment plans.
Provide caregiver coaching and incorporate appropriate parent-management strategies.
Develop, monitor, and update safety plans when clinically indicated.
Coordinate warm handoffs to therapists, clinics, pediatric primary care providers, and community resources.
Provide approximately 20 hours per week of additional clinical services to Paving the Way consumers, including individual therapy, family therapy, assessments, and transitional support.