Full-Time School-Based Mental Health Therapist

Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley, Inc. is seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and dedicated Master's-Level Mental Health Therapist to join our growing school-based counseling program serving students in the Utica City School District.

This is a full-time 10 position primarily based within designated Utica City School District schools during the school year. The therapist will provide mental health counseling and support to students while working collaboratively with school personnel, families, and the agency's clinical team.

The position also provides flexibility for the clinician to continue seeing clients after school hours and during school recesses and summer break. Therapists may have the opportunity to provide office-based services through the counseling center during these times, allowing for continuity of care and the development of a broader clinical caseload.

This position is an excellent opportunity for a clinician who enjoys working with children and adolescents and is interested in combining school-based mental health services with traditional outpatient counseling.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide individual, family, and/or group counseling services to students within designated Utica City School District schools.
• Establish therapeutic relationships with students and provide a safe, supportive, and professional counseling environment.
• Conduct assessments and develop appropriate treatment plans based on the clinical needs of each client.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, including progress notes and treatment plans.
• Collaborate appropriately with school personnel, parents/guardians, and other professionals involved in supporting students, while maintaining client confidentiality and complying with applicable laws and ethical standards.
• Participate in school-based meetings and other collaborative activities as appropriate.
• Provide outpatient counseling services through the agency outside of the school day and during school recesses/summer break as appropriate and desired.
• Participate in regular individual clinical supervision.
• Attend weekly agency staff meetings and clinical meetings as scheduled.
• Participate in required trainings and professional development activities.
• Maintain professional and ethical standards consistent with New York State requirements and the clinician's professional license.
• Other duties related to quality clinical service delivery as assigned.

Work Setting

The majority of the therapist's time during the school year will be spent providing services within schools in the Utica City School District, at schools designated by the agency in coordination with the district.

The position offers flexibility to work from the agency's office as well. Clinicians may choose to see clients after the school day, during school recesses, and during the summer, based on agency needs, client needs, and the clinician's interests and availability.

This structure provides the opportunity to develop a diverse caseload while maintaining the benefits of a school-based practice.

Supervision and Clinical Support

The therapist will receive regular individual clinical supervision and will work closely with the agency's clinical team.

The therapist is expected to:

• Participate in regular individual supervision.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Attend clinical meetings as scheduled.
• Participate in agency training and professional development opportunities.
• Maintain open communication and collaboration with other members of the clinical and school-based teams.

Schedule and Work-Life Balance

• Full-time position during the school year.
• Monday–Friday schedule.
• No weekends required.
• No on-call responsibilities.
• Flexibility to provide services after the school day.
• Opportunity to maintain a clinical caseload during school recesses and summer break.
• Opportunity to see clients at the agency's office outside of school hours and during periods when schools are closed.
• Schedule designed to balance school-based responsibilities with outpatient clinical opportunities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or another closely related mental health discipline.
• Current New York State professional license appropriate to the clinician's scope of practice.
• Ability to meet all requirements necessary to provide clinical services within a school setting.
• Strong clinical, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, families, school personnel, and other professionals.
• Commitment to ethical, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed clinical practice.

Qualified master's-level clinicians may include, but are not limited to:

• Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
• Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
• Other New York State licensed master's-level mental health professionals whose credentials and scope of practice are appropriate for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing mental health services to children and adolescents.
• Previous school-based counseling experience.
• Experience working with families and school systems.
• Knowledge of evidence-based approaches for children and adolescents.
• Experience with electronic health records and clinical documentation.
• Insurance paneling/credentialing with commercial insurance plans and/or Medicaid is a plus.

What We Offer

• Full-time employment with a meaningful school-based clinical role.
• Regular individual clinical supervision.
• Support from an experienced clinical team.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, adolescents, and families.
• Flexibility to combine school-based and outpatient clinical work.
• Opportunity to build a broader clinical caseload outside of the school day.
• Potential for continued clinical work during school recesses and summer break.
• Monday–Friday schedule.
• No weekend or on-call requirements.
• Professional development and opportunities for continued growth.

Join Our Team

If you are a master's-level clinician who enjoys working with young people, values collaboration, and wants the opportunity to provide meaningful mental health services in both school and outpatient settings, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to James Davis.

Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley, inc. is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and respectful environment for the students, families, and clinicians we serve.

Pay: $32.00 - $42.00 per hour

Expected hours: 36.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Health savings account

License/Certification:

• NY License to practice mental health? (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $32 - $42