Adolescent Milieu Therapist - MSW

Universal Health Services; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Health Services in Spokane is seeking an Adolescent Milieu Therapist to maintain a safe, structured inpatient environment for teens receiving psychiatric care, including those in CLIP. The role delivers direct clinical services through group therapy, activities, behavioral interventions, and daily patient engagement.

As part of the treatment team, you will collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, educators, and other professionals to support stabilization, skill

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a behavioral health field required.
• Valid BLS/First Aid certification.
• Handle With Care and Verbal De-escalation certification or ability to obtain.
• AAC credential or ability to obtain within required timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational groups for adolescent patients.
• Engage patients throughout the treatment day to reinforce coping skills and treatment goals.
• Collaborate with nursing, psychiatry, social work, education, and behavioral health staff to coordinate care.
• Complete clinical documentation and contribute to treatment planning.
• Provide crisis intervention and behavioral support using approved techniques.
• Support development and enhancement of trauma-informed programming.

Skills

Therapeutic communication

Group facilitation

Crisis intervention

Education

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy or related behavioral health field

Job description

Responsibilities

The Adolescent Milieu Therapist plays a critical role in creating and maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic treatment environment for adolescents receiving inpatient psychiatric services, including youth participating in the Child Long-Term Inpatient Program (CLIP). This position provides direct clinical services through group therapy, therapeutic activities, behavioral interventions, and daily patient engagement.

As a visible clinical presence on the unit, the Milieu Therapist partners with psychiatrists, nursing staff, social workers, educators, recreational therapists, behavioral health technicians, and other members of the treatment team to support patient stabilization, skill development, treatment engagement, and successful transitions of care.

Required:

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
• Knowledge of adolescent development, psychiatric disorders, and trauma-informed care.
• Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) credential, or ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
• Current BLS/First Aid certification.
• Handle With Care and Verbal De-escalation certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Strong therapeutic communication, group facilitation, and crisis intervention skills.

Preferred:

• Associate or independent behavioral health licensure (LICSW, LMHC, LMFT, LMSW, LASW, LMHCA, LMFTA, LSWAIC, or equivalent).
• Experience working with adolescents experiencing behavioral, emotional, psychiatric, and trauma-related challenges.
• Experience facilitating psychoeducational, process-oriented, and skills-based groups in a behavioral health setting.

Qualifications

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational groups for adolescent patients.
• Engage patients throughout the treatment day to reinforce coping skills, treatment goals, and healthy behaviors.
• Collaborate with nursing, psychiatry, social work, education, and behavioral health staff to coordinate care.
• Complete clinical documentation and contribute to treatment planning.
• Provide crisis intervention and behavioral support using approved techniques.
• Support the development and enhancement of evidence-based, trauma-informed programming.

This role is ideal for a behavioral health professional passionate about working with adolescents and fostering positive therapeutic outcomes in a collaborative treatment environment.