"Lead Clinical Therapist"

Job Details

Job Title: Lead Clinical Therapist

Classification: Professional

Division: Student Success

Department: Counseling Services

Employment Status: Full Time

Annualized Salary Range: $68,000-$72,000

Reports: AVP for Student Wellbeing and Clinical Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary: The Lead Clinical Therapist plays a vital role in providing comprehensive mental health services to the student community. This position directly delivers counseling, crisis intervention, triage, case management, intake, and individual and group therapy. The Lead Clinical Therapist will assist with clinical supervision and mentoring intern and pre-license counselors, fostering their professional growth and ensuring high-quality client care. Serving as a key contributor to the department's delivery service, the Lead Clinical Therapist is committed to addressing the psychological and developmental needs of students through clinical excellence, collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, and a strong dedication to multicultural competence.

Essential Functions:

• Provide crisis response, group and individual counseling to students.
• Collaborate with college and community mental health providers for referrals and follow-up care.
• Design and implement high-quality programs to serve a diverse student population, addressing mental health, psychological, and personal concerns.
• Complete and maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation—including intake evaluations, session notes, crisis intervention records, psychiatric referrals, and suicide risk assessments.
• Consult with faculty and staff regarding student mental health, behavioral issues, academic performance, safety, and risk management.
• Manage clinical cases as needed or assigned, ensuring appropriate intervention and follow-up.
• Participate actively in administrative meetings and case conferences.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate intern and pre-licensed counselors, fostering their clinical skills, theoretical knowledge, administrative competence, professionalism, and self-awareness.
• Model professional communication, attitudes, and behaviors; contribute positively to the department’s team environment.
• Develop and deliver training on clinical, mental health, and well-being topics for staff development initiatives.
• Contribute to the recruitment, review, and selection of counseling staff and trainees annually.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with internal and external graduate programs, clinical supervisors, and placement coordinators to support successful clinical placements.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop, review, and update policies that reflect current practices, legal standards, and ethical guidelines in college counseling.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, or a master’s degree in counseling psychology, Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a relevant counseling field.
• Currently licensed or license-eligible at an independent practice level.
• Minimum of one year’s experience working with college-aged students from a developmental perspective.
• Strong knowledge of college counseling standards and best practices.
• Proven experience providing direct clinical services in a broad, generalist setting to clients with diverse presenting issues, including crisis, suicidality, psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, substance use, sexual assault, and other high-risk concerns.
• Demonstrated expertise in evidence-based intervention approaches such as DBT, CBT, trauma-informed care, etc.
• At least one year of experience supervising interns or practicum-level counselors, with a focus on caseload management and professional development.
• Experience designing and executing psychoeducational initiatives on campus.
• Ability to deliver mental health outreach, education, and advocacy.
• Exceptional judgment, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of the factors contributing to psychological well-being.
• Solid experience in clinical and administrative supervision within a clinical setting.
• Effective leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and administrative abilities with attention to detail.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development through memberships, workshops, trainings, and journals.
• Experience contributing to masters’ level counselor training programs.

Physical Demands: Dexterity to write and operate computers; ability to hear, speak clearly, and move body to support tasks such as stooping, kneeling, bending, and reaching. The role may involve managing stress and potentially physically threatening clients, requiring awareness and responsibility for personal and others’ safety.

Work Environment: Primarily an indoor setting with protection from weather, though response to crisis situations may involve unpredictable, emotional, and stressful scenarios. The Lead Therapist must be prepared to manage own stress and always maintain safety.