Mental Health Therapist - Part Time; Adoption​/Child Welfare

We're growing our innovative team at Paths for Families, dedicated to the life-long work of building and sustaining families.

The Therapist will provide individual and family counseling to children in foster and kinship care and adopted children and their families. The Therapist will also provide clinical case management and crisis intervention services to support clients as needed.

This position is part time (up to 16 hours a week) with a minimum of one day per week in-person at the Caroline County Department of Social Services. This position requires a flexible work schedule, with the ability to work evenings.

Paths for Families is an adoption and family well-being organization that partners with communities dedicated to the life-long work of building and sustaining families. For over 30 years, we"ve been here for expectant parents exploring adoption, birth parents, prospective and current adoptive families, children in need of adoption, people who were adopted, and professionals in the community. Our mission is to build and support healthy lifelong connections for every child and advocate for continuous improvement of systems that strengthen family well-being.

We practice IDEAS Principles (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Social Justice) and welcome all children, families, and team members regardless of gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religion, wealth, health, marital status, or sexual orientation. With IDEAS Principles as one of our core values, we believe in cultivating a healthy environment in which all employees feel supported while working to achieve our mission.

• Provide therapeutic services (individual and family) to a max caseload of approximately 10-12 children, adolescents and/or families in a trauma responsive and adoption and permanency competent manner. Specific services include initial intake assessments, intensive counseling, crisis-intervention, and case management to children in foster care, resource families, adoptees and families formed through custody and guardianship.
• Conduct counseling sessions that will include support and education around the following (but not limited to): loss and grief; trust and attachment; identity formation; effects of early childhood trauma; mental health, physical health, and development delays; school issues; foster care to guardianship; open adoption; foster care to adoption; interracial and/or intercultural adoption; and LGBTQ+ adoption.
• Conduct clinical assessments, trauma screenings, and adoption/permanency focused psycho-social assessments.
• Complete clinical documentation including treatment planning, monthly reports, and session notes in a timely manner.
• Work with the Clinical Director to maintain positive relationships with community stakeholders.

• Master's degree in social work.
• Current Maryland social work license required. Independent clinical licensure preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of professional clinical experience. Experience with adoption or child welfare preferred.

• Knowledge of the clinical issues associated with adoption, foster care, kinship care, attachment disruption, and trauma.
• Training in therapeutic interventions and treatment for children, youth and families involved in child welfare in varying levels of permanency, including adoption, guardianship, foster care, and reunification.
• Experience in providing attachment focused, trauma informed, and permanency competent therapeutic services and treatment planning.
• Excellent interpersonal, clinical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work on a team and independently.
• Ability to prioritize and problem solve.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office suite of products and database case management.
• Ability to communicate and express ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others, both clients and colleagues.
• Highly organized and experienced managing client information, case notes, and reporting using an Electronic Medical Record System.
• Experience providing in-person and telehealth services.

If our mission and vision align with your personal values, we may be a good fit!

To apply, a detailed cover letter outlining your qualifications for the position along with your resume is required. Interviews will be conducted virtually.

Each employee is required to complete (and maintain as necessary) a physical exam to include a TB test, a criminal background check in identified jurisdictions, and Child Protective Services Registries check in identified jurisdictions, and orientation training.

Paths for Families is an equal opportunity employer and offers a pleasant, flexible work environment. To learn more, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Principals only, no recruiters. No phone calls please.