What are the responsibilities and job description for the Embedded Staff Therapist - College of Law position at The University of Iowa?
Help shape the success and well-being of tomorrow’s legal professionals. University Counseling Service (UCS) is seeking a dedicated and collaborative clinician to serve in an embedded role supporting the College of Law. This is a unique opportunity to combine direct clinical care, consultation, outreach, and training in a dynamic academic environment where meaningful relationships and lasting impact are at the forefront. Working closely with students, faculty, and staff, the successful candidate will play a vital role in fostering resilience, supporting mental health, and helping students navigate the personal and academic challenges of law school. Join a team committed to student success, innovation, and creating a campus community where every student can thrive.
University Counseling Service (UCS) staff enjoy comprehensive benefits, and reliable income not tied to monthly caseload fluctuations, as well as no after-hours or on-call demands. With opportunities for meaningful cross-campus collaboration and a focus on serving students first and foremost, UCS is an ideal setting for psychologists and therapists seeking both professional purpose and personal balance. You’ll support students during a pivotal stage of their development and have the opportunity to make a lasting impact through counseling, consultation, outreach, and preventative work. There are also opportunities to shape the next generation of clinicians through supervision and mentorship in our training programs, simultaneously enriching your own professional practice.
Iowa City is the largest city in Johnson County, Iowa, and the home of the University of Iowa, known for its vibrant downtown, historic landmarks like the Old Capitol Building, and lively cultural scene. It’s also the fifth-largest city in Iowa, with a population of about 76,000, and serves as a hub for education, arts, and community life. This dynamic community creates an inspiring environment where the U of I plays a central role in shaping student experiences and community life. Joining UCS in the U of I’s Division of Student Life offers a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant campus community that supports student success, training, wellness, and engagement.
About this Position
This position is part of University Counseling Service (UCS) and serves as an embedded clinician in support of the College of Law. The role plays a key part in promoting student well-being, resilience, and success through a collaborative partnership between UCS and the College of Law. The position provides a comprehensive range of psychological services to a varied student population, including assessment and counseling, crisis intervention and risk management, case management and care coordination, group counseling, outreach programming, and consultation with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and families. The role also contributes to the education and development of future mental health professionals through graduate student supervision and training. As a member of the Division of Student Life, the position helps foster a supportive, welcoming, and student-centered environment that empowers students to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
Specific Job Duties & Tasks
Provide clinical counseling — Deliver individual, couples, and group therapy to law students using primarily brief‑model interventions.- Conduct diagnostic assessment — Evaluate emotional and functional disorders and determine appropriate treatment plans.
- Offer case management — Coordinate care, make referrals to community providers, and support students navigating services.
- Maintain clinical documentation — Write and manage electronic mental health records consistent with professional standards.
- Provide clinical supervision — Supervise trainees at various levels, offering guidance, oversight, and competency development.
- Deliver outreach programming — Create and present workshops for law students, faculty, and staff to support mental health literacy.
- Collaborate with College of Law stakeholders — Build cooperative relationships with faculty, administrators, and student services.
- Consult on behavioral and therapeutic issues — Provide expert consultation to campus partners regarding student behavior and mental health concerns.
- Monitor and improve counseling quality — Evaluate therapeutic effectiveness and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support relapse‑prevention strategies — Collaborate on approaches to reduce recurrence of mental health crises among students.
- Participate in program evaluation — Prepare narrative and statistical reports, analyze trends, and identify service gaps.
- Stay current with professional standards — Monitor evolving counseling practices, regulations, and standards relevant to university settings.
- Serve on committees — Represent counseling services on departmental or university committees and communicate program needs.
- Provide training and skill development — Teach clinical, outreach, and professional competencies to trainees and junior colleagues.
- Exercise independent clinical judgment — Make sound decisions regarding exceptions, special issues, and complex student cases.
For a detailed job description, please email Michelle Sehmann at michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu.
About the Division of Student Life:
The Division of Student Life is comprised of staff that embrace new ideas and thoughts, works together to keep our students safe, and provides them with life-changing experiences. The Division of Student Life includes 15 departments that span from Recreational Services to the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement and everything in between. We believe in working together as one team to achieve our mission: fostering student success by creating and promoting educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom.
Required Qualifications:
Doctoral degree in either Counseling or Clinical Psychology from an APA-Accredited program or Master’s degree in Social Work with clinical focus from a CSWE-Accredited program, or Master’s degree in Counseling from a CACREP-Accredited Program.
Psychologist: Possession of a valid State of Iowa license as a psychologist within 18 months of hire.
Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor: Licensed as an LISW, LMHC, or LMFT in the State of Iowa. (License must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.)
Relevant post-degree clinical work experience (typically 1-3 years)
Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based and theory-driven mental health counseling practices, including assessment, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, trauma-informed care, and case management. Exceptional ability to assess, oversee, and endure the delivery of high-quality mental health, trauma, and crisis management services.
Application Details
To be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. This position is not eligible for sponsorship. For questions or additional information, please contact Michelle Sehmann at michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.
Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
- Classification Title: Sr Behavioral Health Clinician
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: On Campus
- Pay Level: 5A
- Starting Salary Minimum: 70,000
- Starting Salary Maximum: commensurate
- Organization: Student Life
- Contact Name: Michelle Sehmann
- Contact Email: michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu