What are the responsibilities and job description for the Child First Mental Health and Developmental Clinician position at Easterseals PORT?
At Easterseals PORT Health (ESPH), our mission is rooted in empowering individuals and strengthening communities. We are seeking a passionate Child First Mental Health and Developmental Clinician to provide supportive, family-centered care for children and families impacted by mental health and developmental challenges in Craven County and surrounding areas.
This isn’t just a job — you will be influencing change and shaping futures as part of our shared mission to help people reach their full potential.
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm (some after-hours work required)
Your Role in Our Mission
The Child First Mental Health and Developmental Clinician partners with a Family Resource Partner to engage families referred to the Child First home-based intervention. The primary goal of Child First is to strengthen caregiver-child relationships so they serve as a protective buffer to stress while fostering the child’s emotional, language, and cognitive development.
In this role, you will provide trauma‑informed Child‑Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), a relationship-based, dyadic treatment model focused on the young child’s primary attachment relationships. Through reflective, supportive, and exploratory engagement, you will promote nurturing, responsive, and protective caregiver-child interactions.
Your work will support caregivers by:
- Building understanding of typical developmental expectations and challenges
- Increasing reflective capacity around emotions and meaning behind child behavior
- Strengthening problem-solving skills and parenting confidence
- Exploring how caregiver history and experiences influence parenting responses
You will also:
- Conduct collaborative family assessments through interviews, observation, play, standardized measures, and collateral information
- Develop integrated clinical formulations and individualized Child and Family Plans of Care
- Provide home-based therapeutic intervention using CPP and other evidence-based modalities
- Support families during periods of urgent need to help avert crisis situations
- Offer mental health and developmental consultation in early care and education settings
- Participate in reflective clinical supervision, team meetings, and the Child First Learning Collaborative
- Maintain timely, accurate documentation to support clinical accountability and reimbursement
Note: Bilingual abilities (Spanish, Portuguese, Creole, or other languages) are highly valued.
Why Join Us?
At ESPH, we help our team members embrace their potential, build resilience, and thrive. You will benefit from ongoing professional development, reflective supervision, and collaboration with leaders in clinical excellence who are committed to your growth and success.
A comprehensive benefits package is available for benefits-eligible positions.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary: $60,000–$69,000 annually (full-time, exempt)
- Generous paid time off and paid holidays
- Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
- Life and Disability Insurance (company paid)
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Employee Assistance Program and legal services support
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer
- Clinical supervision for licensure
What We’re Looking For
- Master’s or Doctoral degree in a mental health field
- Full or provisional NC license as an LCSW (A), LPC/LCMHC (A), or LMFT (A)
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience providing psychotherapy to culturally diverse children and families, including parent-child therapy with children ages 0–5
- Knowledge of early child development, attachment theory, trauma-informed and psychodynamic approaches
- Experience providing assessment and consultation in early care and education settings
- Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and current auto insurance
Ready to Apply?
Join a team where work isn’t just something you do — it’s a purpose. Bring your expertise to a mission that matters. Apply now at www.eastersealsPORT.com or send your resume to recruiter@eastersealsPORT.com.
**Voted Raleigh’s Best Nonprofit Organization and Raleigh’s Best Mental Health Services two years in a row!**
About Easterseals PORT Health
Easterseals PORT Health is a trustworthy and compassionate partner, providing exceptional services in disability, mental health, and substance use to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication, and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery. Our 2,600-member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults, and families in 11,000 home, facility, and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia.
Easterseals PORT Health is an Inclusive Culture, Different Voices, Embracing Potential, Authentic Self, and Learning and Growing (IDEAL) organization.
Applicants of all abilities are encouraged to apply!
Salary : $60,000 - $69,000