ADOLESCENT RESIDENTIAL THERAPIST - LICENSED

Universal Health Services; Bradenton (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay & PTO

Medical, dental, vision

401K with match

SoFi student loan refinancing

Career development

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center, part of Universal Health Services, seeks an Adolescent Residential Therapist to provide therapy to youths aged 11–17 and collaborate with families and external agencies. Candidates must hold a Florida license and have pediatric/adolescent experience.

Responsibilities include assessments, goal setting, progress reporting, and discharge planning in coordination with the treatment team. The role emphasizes compassionate care and family advocacy.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work or mental health counseling.
• Current Florida license (LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT).
• At least 1 year direct clinical experience with children/adolescents.
• Ability to participate in behavioral restraints and Handle With Care training.
• Level 2 AHCA Background Screening Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, family, and group therapy to adolescents.
• Conduct interviews to gather histories and assess needs.
• Develop tailored treatment goals and monthly progress summaries.
• Serve as primary contact and advocate for patients and families.
• Coordinate discharge planning with treatment team and family.

Skills

Trauma-Focused Therapy

Communication skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Child/Adolescent therapy

Education

Master's Degree in social work or mental health counseling

Tools

None

Job description

Responsibilities

Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center provides quality mental health care and education services for adolescents, ages 11-17 who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, educational, family and social challenges. The dedicated professionals at Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center provide quality mental health treatment for children. The program establishes healthy behaviors and prepares children to transition back home.

The Adolescent Residential Therapist plays a vital role in delivering therapeutic services to patients. This position involves providing counseling for individuals, families, and groups. Therapists conduct interviews to gather psychological histories, assess the therapeutic needs of patients and their families, and develop tailored treatment goals along with monthly progress summaries. They serve as the primary point of contact and advocate for patients and their families throughout the duration of their stay. Additionally, therapists collaborate with external agencies and contacts to facilitate discharge planning in coordination with the treatment team and family.

Visit us online at: https://www.palmshoresbhc.com

Benefit & Rewards Highlights

• Challenging and rewarding work environment
• Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
• Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans at day 31
• 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
• SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!
• Pet Insurance
• More information is available on our Benefits Guest Website: Benefits

About Universal Health Services

One of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues during 2025 were $17.4 billion. In 2026, UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World's Most Admired Companies and in 2025, was listed in Forbes ranking of America's Largest Public Companies.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, mental health counseling.
• Current license from the State of Florida, such as LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT
• One (1) year direct clinical experience specific to family, individualand group therapy with children and/or adolescents. For specialized issues or treatment modalities, training must be specific to these; abuse reactive, sexual offending, substance abuse, sexual trauma, vocational, play therapy, art therapy and relaxation therapy. Must have knowledge of human development over the life span.
• Work is mentally demanding. Extensive walking, standing and sitting. Must be able to participate in the physical restraint and seclusion of patients. Must be able to participate in and complete Handle With Care Training on a semi annual and annual basis.
• Level 2 AHCA Clearance. Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness Website: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Job Skills/Knowledge

• Experienced Trauma-Focused Therapy, Neurodivergent disorders, PTSD, mood disorders, bipolar, and ODD/co-morbidities.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in order to document assessments, treatment planning and interventions into a meaningful document. Must be able to communicate with members of the interdisciplinary treatment team, managed care representatives, adolescents, adults, and patient families in a clear and concise manner.
• Knowledge of individual, group, and family therapy dynamics and techniques as related to cultural, social, economic, communication and role expectations within family systems.
• Knowledge of clinical skills to assess treatment dynamics accurately and develop effective treatment strategies within the overall treatment plan.
• Employees assigned to children and adolescents must have the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of child and adolescent needs, knowledge of growth and developmental stages and must possess an understanding of the range of treatment needed by this age group.

EEO Statement

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.