Children's Therapist

Nonprofit Connect; Overland Park (KS); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

License reimbursement

401K

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Jewish Family Services in Kansas City seeks a Children’s Therapist to grow our counseling program for ages 5–19. The role emphasizes trauma-informed care, assessments, and individualized treatment planning.

The candidate will collaborate with school-based programs and JFS teams to meet client needs and maintain HIPAA-compliant records. Qualified applicants hold a Master’s degree with clinical licensure in relevant fields.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field and applicable licensure; new graduates welcome.
• Missouri licensure is required; Kansas licensure preferred; dual licensure encouraged.
• Experience with Play Therapy, CBT/DBT, EMDR or related modalities preferred.
• Experience with clinical assessment and treatment planning including DSM-5 knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Administer trauma-informed psychotherapy in-person, telehealth, and school settings.
• Assess and diagnose emotional/behavioral needs using DSM-5 criteria.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans for youth aged 5–19.
• Maintain HIPAA-compliant documentation and timely progress notes.
• Coordinate care with JFS staff and community resources; provide case management as needed.
• Maintain 22 weekly direct service hours and participate in supervision.

Skills

Trauma-informed therapy

DSM-5 knowledge

Treatment planning

CBT/EMDR familiarity

Bilingual preferred

Education

Master’s degree, licensure in MFT/SW/Counseling/Psychology

Missouri licensure required; Kansas licensure preferred

Play Therapy/CBT/DBT/EMDR experience preferred

Clinical assessment experience

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Title: Children’s Therapist Department: Mental Health Reports to: Clinical Director Status: Full-time (40 hrs/week, Mon-Fri) Classification: Exempt Location: Brookside (main location), Overland Park as needed Pay Range: Starting from $60,000 - $65,000

Jewish Family Services (www.jfskc.org) Since 1901, Jewish Family Services (JFS), has supported and strengthened lives throughout Greater Kansas City. We provide essential human services for people of all faiths, ages, cultures, and identities who are facing challenges in everyday life or times of crisis. Our highly skilled and compassionate staff are dedicated to furthering the well-being, stability, and dignity of the community members we serve. As a 501 (c) (3) public charity, JFS offers a breadth of connected services including Social Work, Older Adult Services, Food Pantry, Mental Health and Education, and Jewish life. JFS was founded on the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, one person, one family at a time.

Position Summary:

The Children’s Therapist will play a pivotal role in growing our counseling program with therapeutic services for individuals ages 5-19, grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based treatments. They will conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and collaborate with other community resources to meet client needs.

Essential Duties

• Administer trauma-informed psychotherapy to clients, including individual, family, and group settings. Services will be delivered in-person, via telehealth, and in school-based environments.
• Assess and diagnose emotional and behavioral needs in young clients utilizing the DSM-5.
• Develop and implement customized treatment plans based on the child’s individual needs.
• Address developmental stages and challenges specific to children.
• Monitor and track progress through regular assessments.
• Address family dynamics impacting the child’s mental health.
• Complete assessments and treatment planning in an electronic health record database.
• Maintain timely clinical documentation, completing progress notes within two business days and other documentation as required.
• Collaborate and coordinate care with other JFS providers, including social workers, food pantry managers, and other relevant staff.
• Provide case management related to clinical cases as needed.
• Maintain 22 weekly direct service hours.
• Staff cases with mental health team members of JFS staff.
• Provide necessary referrals to internal and community resources that meet client needs.
• Commitment to client confidentiality under HIPAA requirements.
• Dedication to upholding the JFS non-discrimination policy.
• Participate in weekly 1:1 supervision, regular team meetings and JFS staff events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Education, Knowledge And Experience

• Master’s degree required and applicable licensure in marriage and family therapy, social work, counseling, or psychology – new graduates are encouraged to apply!
• Clinical licensure is preferred. Missouri licensure required, dual Kansas licensure preferred.
• Training and/or familiarity with Play Therapy, CBT/DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, EMDR, Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and/or expressive arts therapies strongly preferred.
• Experience with clinical assessment and treatment planning, including demonstrated knowledge of the DSM-5.
• Willingness to travel to satellite service areas, including schools and both JFS office locations in Brookside and Overland Park.
• Strong crisis management and safety protocol skills and experience, including mandated reporter protocols.
• Willingness to actively participate in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary work environment.
• Effective caseload and time management.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Windows and Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and client databases.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Key Competencies

Cultural Humility: Engage in the regular practice of self-reflection on how one’s own background and the background of others impact workplace experiences.

Organizational Leader: Must have an innovative mindset and create and maintain a strong reputation as a strategic doer, demonstrating agility and collaboration throughout the organization.

Emotional Intelligence: Empathy and strong interpersonal skills are essential. Must be compassionate, self-aware, and able to skillfully manage their emotions and those of others.

Adaptability: Must have a strong sense of urgency and ability to work efficiently under sometimes rapidly changing circumstances.

Integrity: Must utilize effective judgement and problem-solving skills while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards.

Environmental/Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Frequently required to sit, stand, talk, and hear.
• Required to sit in a therapeutic setting with clients virtually or in person.
• Able to work in a communal work environment.
• Able to effectively use office equipment such as: computer, phone, printer, copier and fax machine.

What makes this role meaningful?

Our Vision:

Founded on the value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), we strive for a community where everyone at every stage is valued and thriving.

Our Mission:

Jewish Family Services supports and strengthens the Jewish and broader Kansas City communities by providing integrated human services that enhance quality of life.

Impact Areas

• Aging in Place
• Food Access
• Jewish Life
• Mental Health
• Supportive Services

The right candidate will be in alignment with these values:

Responsiveness – Kashuviut:

By staying attuned to diverse perspectives and evolving community needs, we remain agile and innovative, ensuring our impact is both relevant and enduring.

Dignity – Kavod:

We honor the inherent worth and unique life experience of every individual, ensuring everyone we encounter is truly heard and met where they are.

Togetherness – B’Yachad:

By pursuing meaningful connections, we build partnerships that enable lasting change, knowing we are stronger when we work together.

Benefits

• Potential for JFS to provide or partially reimburse for clinical supervision.
• License reimbursement, stipend for continuing education.
• 401K
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Paid Long & Short-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Discount membership to Jewish Community Center (fitness center, activities, etc.)
• Employee Assistance Program

Remote Work Environment:

This position will require both in‑person and remote work. The hired candidate will need to affirm their ability to successfully work at JFS locations in Brookside and in Overland Park as needed. Work from home up to 8 hours per week unless otherwise agreed upon with Clinical Director.

Equal Employment Statement:

Jewish Family Services is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational need. All applicants will be considered for employment with dignity and respect, free of all discrimination, including that which is based on race, color, religion, gender, language, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.