[2025-2026] School-Based Therapist

Effective School Solutions; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative organization is seeking a dedicated School-Based Therapist to provide essential clinical services to students facing significant behavioral and emotional challenges. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with a professional management team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality mental health support. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in group and individual therapy, as well as a commitment to fostering relationships with students, families, and educational staff. With a focus on professional development and work-life balance, this position is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth while enjoying competitive compensation and benefits.

Benefits

Extensive time off tied to school calendar

Career growth opportunities

Competitive compensation

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience treating children with behavioral challenges.
• Must have a clinical license (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC).
• Proficient in clinical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver clinical interventions to support student mental health.
• Maintain timely clinical documentation and participate in team meetings.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams for student care.

Skills

Group Therapy

Individual Counseling

Family Counseling

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Education

LCSW License

LMFT License

LPCC License

Associate Number (ASW, AMFT, APCC)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the role: Effective School Solutions is currently seeking a School-Based Therapist to join our team in the Santa Maria, CA area for the 2025-26 school year. We are looking for experienced, mission-aligned clinicians to provide clinical services to a small group of selected students with significant behavioral and emotional needs. Selected candidates will work with a highly seasoned and professional management team who provide the best possible clinical services. This position will include extensive training to ensure that the chosen individual will have a strong knowledge of the organization's protocols and model of services.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Delivers clinical interventions consistent with needs of the student and family, in a safe and ethical manner that promote and sustain academic and mental health stability.
• Demonstrates competency in: Group Therapy, Individual Counseling, and Family Counseling.
• Provides family programming with monthly evening Parent Support groups, as needed.
• Understands continuum of mental health services, referring students and family to an appropriate level of care in coordination with their supervisor (such as: substance abuse services and/or IOP/PHP/In-Patient)
• Provides consultation and facilitates referrals to appropriate levels of care and specialized services based on the student's needs.
• Optimizes the collaboration and coordination of the interdisciplinary team to enhance the environment of student care.
• Demonstrates a commitment to developing strong working relationships with school administration, district leadership, teachers, and paraprofessionals.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Submits Clinical Documentation in a timely manner, aligned with the electronic medical record.
• Participates in all team meetings including but not limited to: Administrative School Meetings, ESS Town Hall meetings, ESS Supervision Meetings and Treatment Team meetings.
• Maintains current professional license and adheres to ethical standards in accordance with governing board.
• Consistently attends work on scheduled day and time, in professional attire and with a professional demeanor.
• Participates in learning opportunities provided by ESS, such as Supervision Groups, and treatment planning, that will advance knowledge of clinical interventions and skills throughout the school year.

Qualifications and Skills:

• 2+ years of experience treating children and/or adolescents with significant behavioral and emotional challenges.
• Must have a minimum active associate number (ASW, AMFT, APCC).
• A clinical license in LCSW, LMFT, LPCC.
• Effective problem solving and communication skills.
• Experience working with students and families, plus community health and social service agencies.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable using a computer.
• Must be able to complete thorough clinical documentation.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus.

Why join Effective School Solutions?

• ESS is focused on addressing one of the biggest challenges our country is facing - - the mental health of our youth.
• ESS is a dynamic organization with a strong record of accomplishment of innovation and growth.
• ESS provides staff with excellent career growth opportunities.
• ESS provides extensive time off tied to the school calendar, with limited summer hours. ESS prioritizes and gives value to a clinician’s work-life balance.
• ESS offers staff competitive compensation and benefits offerings.
• ESS values clinician voice and perspective and has multiple methods to give feedback and input on company decisions.

ESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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