Adolescent and Family Therapist

Base Salary Posted Up to $30,000 in Additional Outpatient Earnings

Make a meaningful difference without burnout!

Imagine working in a setting where your average caseload is averaged at four youth and their families during the school year, allowing you to build deep therapeutic relationships and provide the kind of individualized care that brought you into this profession.

At Polk Adolescent Day Treatment Center (PADTC), therapists are more than office-based clinicians. You’ll hike with youth, facilitate creative activities, support families, collaborate with educators, and help adolescents practice real-life coping skills throughout the day.

If you are passionate about working with teens and families in a collaborative, supportive environment, PADTC offers an opportunity to do highly meaningful work while maintaining strong work-life balance and excellent compensation.

About PADTC

Polk Adolescent Day Treatment Center (PADTC) is a nonprofit therapeutic day treatment program serving adolescents and their families in Polk County, Oregon.

For nearly 50 years, PADTC has provided integrated mental health treatment and educational services to youth experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges.

Our program combines:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• School support
• Milieu therapy
• Community-based experiential activities

Youth practice coping skills, emotional regulation, communication, and healthy decision-making throughout the day in a structured, trauma-informed environment.

Why Therapists Love Working at PADTC

Exceptionally Low Caseloads

• Average school-year caseload of approximately 4 youth at a time
• Ability to provide truly individualized care
• More time for meaningful therapeutic work

Diverse and Engaging Work

• Individual, family, and group therapy
• Outdoor activities and adventures
• Recreational and experiential programming
• Community-based skill building

Flexible Scheduling

• Built-in flexibility to structure your day
• Balanced mix of therapy, documentation, and team collaboration

Additional Earning Potential

• Opportunity to provide outpatient counseling through us
• Earn up to $30,000 annually beyond your base salary

Licensure Support

• Clinical supervision toward LPC or LCSW licensure if needed

Outstanding Benefits

• 6 weeks paid vacation
• PADTC-paid health insurance for you, your spouse, and your children
• Wellness program
• Professional development opportunities

Supportive Culture

• Collaborative multidisciplinary team
• Strong staff longevity, with many employees serving 10 years
• Mission-driven organization focused on quality care

Position Summary

The Adolescent and Family Therapist provides individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents and their families. This role includes clinical assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Therapists are active participants in the therapeutic milieu, helping youth apply coping strategies and social skills throughout the day.

Our milieu incorporates many evidence-based practices, with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) serving as the primary clinical framework, alongside DBT, Family Systems, and trauma-informed approaches.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment & Treatment Planning

• Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments
• Develop individualized treatment plans
• Utilize evidence-based approaches, such as CBT
• Address school disengagement, chronic absenteeism, and emotional challenges

Therapy Services

• Provide individual therapy
• Facilitate therapeutic groups with another therapist
• Conduct family therapy sessions
• Support skill generalization throughout the milieu

Milieu & Experiential Programming

• Reinforce coping and emotional regulation skills in real time
• Participate in outdoor recreation, PE, art activities, and summer programming
• Help youth practice healthy behaviors during structured activities

Family Engagement & Collaboration

• Involve families in treatment planning and progress
• Coordinate with psychiatrists, school staff, and community providers

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries
• Maintain ethical and regulatory compliance

Professional Development

• Participate in supervision and trainings
• Stay current with best practices in adolescent mental health

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field

Licensure

• Licensed or working toward licensure as an LPC, LCSW, or equivalent

Experience

• Minimum one year of clinical experience with youth and families preferred but not required

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of adolescent mental health
• Trauma-informed care
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Effective documentation practices

What Makes PADTC Different?

Many therapists carry overwhelming caseloads and spend most of their time in an office.

At PADTC, you will:

• Work with only a handful of youth at a time
• Build strong, lasting therapeutic relationships
• Engage in outdoor and experiential activities
• Collaborate closely with educators and treatment staff
• See your therapeutic work come to life throughout the day
• Have time to do high-quality clinical work without excessive caseload pressure

This is an opportunity to practice therapy the way many clinicians envisioned when they entered the field.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Up to $30,000 annually in additional outpatient income
• Clinical supervision toward licensure
• 6 weeks paid vacation
• Fully paid health insurance for employee and family
• Wellness program
• Professional development and training

How to Apply

Please submit your resume through Indeed.

Questions about the position are welcome.

PADTC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace.

Pay: $48,000.00 - $57,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $48,000 - $57,000