Therapist, Mental Health

The primary therapist plays an important role on the multidisciplinary treatment team at the QRTP. As an active team member, therapists run the milieu, facilitate groups, supervise the team, and actively work to improve the treatment team. The milieu offers the opportunity to clinically treat all of the youth at any given time. As part of a clinical treatment team with a trauma‑informed lens, the therapist is a leader in collaboration, purposeful intervention, and evolving the treatment plan over time.

Therapists at Third Way Center wear many hats—therapist, parent, teacher, nurse, etc. Successful therapists possess excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.

The primary therapist is responsible for the overall treatment process for each individual client. They are part of a multidisciplinary treatment team that performs ongoing assessment, diagnosis, and develops appropriate individualized treatment plans for each youth. Therapeutic responsibilities include, but are not limited to, family, group, and individual therapy. This includes developing therapeutic alliances by learning and understanding youths’ histories, initiating and maintaining ongoing contact with families, understanding psychological dynamics, and researching as needed.

Skills related to milieu management, de‑escalation, conflict resolution, supervision of staff, etc., with a trauma‑informed lens are essential when working with our youth. Medication management and oversight is a requirement, as well. The primary therapist is expected to attend individual and group supervision meetings, staff training, and communicate openly with and seek guidance from co‑workers, treatment leaders and senior staff.

The primary therapist is responsible for the case management of four youth. Case management includes implementing the individualized treatment plan, along with ongoing communication and coordination with the youth’s referring professionals and outside support and services. Paperwork requirements include: actively participating in CANS assessment, developing the initial 14‑day treatment plan, monthly treatment progress reports, funding reviews, and discharge/transfer summaries. It is essential that paperwork is completed in a timely manner.

Managing the milieu with a therapeutic process is critical. This is done through being present, constant interaction, role modeling, teaching, and intervening when necessary. Daily living skills are continuously modeled and taught with the goal of empowering youth to learn independent living skills. The primary therapist is responsible for continued supervision of mental health counselors, including the formal supervision of 1–2 mental health counselors on a weekly basis.

We have a generous vacation package. This position comes with full benefits including medical, health, dental, vision, flex, accident, and disability options. Supervision hours earned while working toward licensure.

Master's degree in a related field required; LCSW, LPC or equivalent license is preferred, however ability for provisional license is appropriate. Some experience working with adolescents and families is always helpful. As a member of Third Way Center, we take on many roles with our clientele. Empowerment and advocacy are critical in working with youth. We utilize a trauma‑informed care philosophy, and it is essential we understand cultural diversity within the milieu, and are willing to learn new skills and attend in‑services as needed.

We are committed to respecting the dignity of persons served, to understand and enhance the opportunity for normalization and self‑determination, and to improve our youth's ability to exercise healthy personal choices.