Licensed Outpatient Therapist for Children and Adolescents

(Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker)

Location: Salem or Portland, OR
Supervisor: Assigned Clinical Director
Employee Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Hours: Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Compensation: choice of A) Flat Rate Compensation model, or B) select salaried options available, configured based on licensure type

Onboarding Timeline: Approximately 2-3 months

Apply now! Flexible Start Date

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Primary Function:

Child & Adolescent Therapists provide healing-centered, developmentally responsive services that support the mental and emotional well-being of youth and their families—while also offering services to adults across the lifespan. Rooted in principles of trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and a commitment to decolonizing and liberating mental health care, therapists create safe, empowering spaces that honor the identities, experiences, and voices of those they serve.

This role involves individual, family, and group therapy; care coordination; and ongoing collaboration with caregivers, educators, and other healthcare professionals. Therapists recognize the critical influence of family systems, schools, communities, and social context on mental health, and prioritize support that is holistic, accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive to the unique needs of children, adolescents, and adults alike.

Therapists work collaboratively with patients, their families, and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that all voices are valued and heard. They acknowledge the impact of historical trauma, colonization, and systemic inequities on mental health, and center the empowerment, agency, and strengths of the people they work with. Services include prevention, treatment, and maintenance approaches that promote sustainable emotional well-being, while addressing obstacles to care and fostering long-term resilience.

Above all, therapists approach their work with humility, respect, and a deep belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of age, background, or life experience.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct developmentally appropriate intake assessments that consider a child’s emotional, cognitive, social, and physical needs, as well as their family, cultural, and systemic context.
• Collaborate with youth and their caregivers to co-create treatment plans that are age-sensitive and inclusive of family input and consent.
• Provide individual, family, and group therapy to children and adolescents using trauma-informed, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive modalities.
• Maintain clear, compassionate communication with caregivers, balancing child privacy with caregiver involvement and legal considerations.
• Coordinate care with pediatricians, school personnel, case managers, and other providers to support the broader ecological needs of each patient.
• Attend to early attachment, identity development, peer relationships, and academic pressures as part of therapeutic goals.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision with attention to developmental stages, transference, play-based interventions, and family dynamics.
• Ensure youth are informed of their rights in developmentally appropriate ways, including their right to confidentiality and autonomy in care.
• Uphold HIPAA and state confidentiality laws, maintaining secure and accurate clinical documentation.
• Respond to signs of abuse, neglect, or safety concerns per mandated reporting requirements with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Incorporate play therapy, art-based approaches, behavioral strategies, or other child-centered interventions as appropriate.
• Provide psychoeducation and emotional regulation tools that are adapted to the child’s age and capacity.
• Recognize and address the impacts of intergenerational trauma, systemic oppression, and cultural marginalization on youth development and well-being.
• Participate in program development efforts that advance culturally sustaining and anti-oppressive mental health practices for youth and families.
• Clinical Encounter Expectations: clinical practitioners in Outpatient Psychotherapy must choose a tier with a corresponding quarterly encounter expectation. There are two full-time options and one part-time option:
  • Full-Time Option A: 288 encounters per quarter, or 25 encounters per week
  • Full-Time Option B: 322 encounters per quarter, or 28 encounters per week
  • Part-Time Option: 230 encounters per quarter, or 20 encounters per week (part-time option is not eligible for benefits)
  • The ‘per week’ figures above presume a practitioner is only working 11.5 weeks of the 13-week calendar quarter. Practitioners may complete more encounters than expected; the figures above are set as minimum expectations.
  • While initially building their caseload, practitioners will be expected to conduct 2 new patient intakes per day
• Required Meetings:
  • All staff meeting every first Friday per month
  • Outpatient meeting every 3rd Friday of the month
  • Bi-weekly Child & Adolescent Consult Group 
  • For licensed staff – One 1:1 per quarter with assigned CD
  • Yearly All Staff Retreat

Minimum Qualifications:

• Required: Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field (or a doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an APA-accredited institution).
• Required: Current and unrestricted Oregon license (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, or Licensed Psychologist).
• Preferred: experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, and/or families.
• Knowledge of child development, attachment theory, and trauma-informed practices for youth.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, and working with diverse communities.
• Excellent communication skills with youth and caregivers across different backgrounds.
• Strong attention to detail and overall organization
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams (schools, pediatricians, social services).
• Follow policies and procedures to contribute to the administrative efficiency of the practice, taking initiative to suggest and develop those that may be needed.
• Ability to work with Mac OS and Google Workspace.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment, including computers, copiers, printers, telephones, etc. 

Work Environment: When working from a PMHW office, the position is in a well-lit office environment. Varied activities including sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting.

Mental and Physical Requirements: Involves sitting approximately 90 percent of the day, walking or standing the remainder. Ability to tolerate mental and emotional distress as an anticipated aspect of the position. May require working under stressful conditions.

Portland Mental Health & Wellness offers a competitive benefits package for full time employees that includes:

• Paid Vacation Time (80 hours per year)
• Paid Health Leave (40 hours per year)
• Paid Floating Holiday Hours (80 hours per year)
• All Paid Time Off Contributes to Clinical Encounter Hours
• Guaranteed Minimum Income for Clinicians on the Flat Rate Compensation Model
• Medical and Vision Insurance – Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest (choice of three plans)
• Dental Insurance
• Employer Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Additional Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary Accident Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account, Health Care
• Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care
• Commuter Benefit – Choice of Subsidized TriMet Pass or Limited Parking Reimbursement
• 401K Retirement Plan – Up to 4% Company Match Once Eligible
• Discounted Enrollment with Student Loan Tutor
• 10% Discount on Vitamins & Supplements Through Fullscript
• Limited Access to Columbia Sportswear Employee Store
• Discount at VioletSuitesPDX Boutique Hotel
• OnPoint Community Credit Union Group Banking Benefits
• Free Access to Continuing Education Platforms 
• Opportunities for Provision of Supervision and Training for Eligible Clinicians
• Annual Continuing Education Allowance of $1,000
• Weekly Clinical Consultation Groups

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This description is intended to provide only the basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions may change as the practice’s needs evolve. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of every job.

The requirements described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. By signing below, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the Essential Functions of this job, with or without accommodation. If an accommodation is needed, you acknowledge that you have an opportunity to discuss this with Human Resources.

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It’s essential to clarify that at Portland Mental Health & Wellness, we hire W-2 employees for most positions, rather than contractors. This decision reflects our commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the highest standards of care.

In Oregon, the distinction between W-2 employees and contractors holds significant legal and ethical implications. By hiring W-2 employees, we ensure that our staff receive fair wages, benefits, and protections mandated by state labor laws. This includes access to healthcare, paid leave, and workers’ compensation, fostering a supportive and secure work environment.

Moreover, hiring W-2 employees allows us to maintain consistent quality control and oversight over our services. We prioritize building a team of dedicated professionals who share our values and commitment to providing exceptional mental health care to our clients. This ensures continuity of care and fosters trust within our community.

At Portland Mental Health & Wellness, we believe that investing in our employees translates to better outcomes for our clients. By hiring W-2 employees, we uphold our commitment to integrity, transparency, and excellence in mental health care delivery. Join us in our mission to promote holistic well-being and support the mental health needs of individuals and families in Portland and beyond.