Integrated School-Based Mental Health Therapist

Northwest Passage is expanding services in the school-based sector. This exciting expansion of services reflects our growth and commitment to providing quality mental health and wellness services for our communities.

About Us

At Northwest Passage, we focus on mental health and wellness through the adoption of our PassageWay Elements: Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit. These elements are central to our approach, combining traditional mental health treatment with arts, education, nature-based therapy, and experiential opportunities. Since 1978, we've been dedicated to providing high-quality care in a community dedicated in hope, recovery, and wellness. Our facilities in Northwest Wisconsin offer a peaceful environment for our clients and staff, with easy access to activities and resources near Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Eau Claire.
 
 Northwest Passage proudly serves individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and we are committed to providing an environment where all feel welcomed and supported. Northwest Passage looks to build our team with candidates who are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to all of our clients, demonstrating resilience, determination, collaboration, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. At Northwest Passage, you will foster hope through your involvement in the healing process. Guided by the PassageWay Elements, we strive to create a positive environment for growth and wellness for both our clients and staff.

Position Description

Northwest Passage partners with school districts to deliver integrated, embedded mental-health programming that bridges clinical care and education. Through our PassageWay School-Based Solutions model, we support students with higher-intensity social, emotional, and behavioral needs while maintaining their connection to their home district.

Tiger Pathways is a therapeutic classroom partnership with the School District of New Richmond designed to:

• Reduce out-of-district placements


• Stabilize students experiencing emotional and behavioral dysregulation


• Strengthen family engagement


• Build sustainable school-based mental health capacity

The model integrates clinical treatment, therapeutic classroom structure, and collaborative problem-solving within the school day.

The Integrated School-Based Mental Health Therapist serves as the primary clinical provider within the Tiger Pathways therapeutic classroom and an embedded partner within the broader school system.

This role blends:

• Direct clinical treatment


• Real-time classroom collaboration


• Family engagement


• Systems consultation


• School-based capacity building

The Therapist delivers intensive individual, family, and group therapy services while actively shaping the therapeutic classroom environment alongside educators and support staff.

This is not a traditional outpatient role. The Therapist is physically and relationally embedded within the school day, providing in-the-moment intervention, skill coaching, and clinical insight to support student regulation and success.

The Tiger Pathways clinician is both a direct service provider and a systems partner — helping schools think differently about how clinical care and education intersect.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Clinical Services 

• Provide individual, family, and group therapy to students enrolled in Tiger Pathways in alignment with DHS 35 standards and treatment plans. 


• Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments including interviews, record review, standardized tools, and multidisciplinary consultation. 


• Develop and regularly update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with students, families, and school team members. 


• Provide crisis intervention, safety assessment, and stabilization as needed. 


• Maintain timely and compliant documentation in accordance with DHS 35, funding requirements, and agency standards. 

Therapeutic Classroom Integration 

• Embed within the classroom environment to support real-time behavioral and emotional regulation. 


• Model trauma-informed, relationship-based interventions for educational staff. 


• Collaborate with the classroom teacher and paraprofessional to align therapeutic goals with academic participation. 


• Contribute to the development of individualized behavior support strategies. 


• Assist in maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutically responsive learning environment. 

Family & Systems Engagement 

• Engage families as active partners in treatment. 


• Provide parent coaching and psychoeducation. 


• Coordinate care with community providers, case managers, and district staff as appropriate. 


• Participate in IEP meetings and school-based problem-solving teams when indicated. 


• Support professional development and mental health consultation within the district. 

Program Development & Collaboration 

• Participate in clinical supervision and interdisciplinary team meetings. 


• Contribute to continuous program improvement efforts. 


• Support outcome tracking and program evaluation measures. 


• Collaborate with PassageWay leadership and district partners to refine service delivery.

Qualifications

• Fully licensed in Wisconsin (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or LP).


• Eligible to provide services under DHS 35 certification.


• Experience providing therapy to children and adolescents.


• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, emotional regulation strategies, and crisis intervention.


• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.


• Experience working in school settings.


• Experience with therapeutic classrooms or high-intensity youth.


• Knowledge of special education processes and IEP collaboration.


• Experience with family systems work.


• Strong clinical judgment and assessment skills


• Ability to build rapport with students experiencing dysregulation


• Comfort operating in dynamic, fast-paced environments


• Skilled communicator across clinical and educational systems


• Organized and able to manage documentation alongside embedded work


• Flexible, solution-focused, and growth-oriented 

Values

In addition to responsibilities and qualifications, ideal candidates will show an understanding of and an ongoing dedication to actively applying Northwest Passage's values, which are embedded into each role:

• Quality & Adaptability


• Respect & Compassion


• Leadership & Courage


• Connection & Well-being

Benefits

• Health Insurance (no deductible)


• Dental Insurance


• Vision Insurance


• 403(b) Retirement Savings with Discretionary Employer Match


• Paid Time Off


• Paid Holidays


• Paid Parental Leave


• Employer-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance


• Employer-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance


• Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance


• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance


• Voluntary Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance)


• Employee Assistance Program (mental health benefit)


• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs)


• Longevity Benefit


• Relocation Assistance


• Tuition Assistance/Loan Reimbursement (available through an application and approval process)

Northwest Passage is an equal employment opportunity employer.