Lead Therapist – Youth & Children Services

Citizens Behavioral Health; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

Paid Time Off

Continuing Education Support

License Renewal Assistance

Clinical Supervision & Development

Job summary

Citizens Behavioral Health seeks a compassionate Lead Therapist for Youth & Children Services to provide direct therapy and clinical leadership within our Day Program, PHP, and IOP. You’ll deliver individual, group, and family therapy while mentoring clinicians and coordinating with schools and families to promote meaningful progress for children and teens.

You will oversee clinical excellence, participate in case discussions, and ensure documentation quality.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, or related field.
• Active professional licensure in North Carolina or eligibility for supervised licensure.
• Minimum 2 years’ clinical experience with children and adolescents.
• Experience facilitating individual, family, and group therapy.
• Strong crisis intervention, assessment, and treatment planning skills.
• Experience collaborating with families, schools, and community providers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group therapy for children and adolescents.
• Conduct intake evaluations, assessments, and treatment planning.
• Maintain an active caseload and deliver ongoing therapy.
• Perform crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning.
• Support emotional, behavioral, social, and developmental growth with evidence-based interventions.
• Lead youth-focused therapy groups addressing coping skills, regulation, and social skills.
• Engage families as active treatment participants and coordinate with schools and community providers.
• Mentor and supervise clinicians, participate in case consultations, and support staff development.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and support quality assurance.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Assessment & treatment planning

Individual therapy

Family therapy

Group therapy

Communication skills

Collaboration with schools

Bilingual (preferred)

Education

Master’s degree in behavioral health

NC licensure eligible or active

Tools

TF-CBT training

Job description

Lead Therapist – Youth & Children Services

Citizens Behavioral Health provides structured behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and families through our Day Program, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). We are committed to helping young people develop healthy coping skills, improve emotional well-being, and achieve success at home, in school, and in their communities.

We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Lead Therapist to provide clinical leadership and direct therapeutic services for children and adolescents. This role is ideal for a clinician who enjoys working closely with youth, families, schools, and community partners while mentoring fellow clinicians.

Position Summary

The Lead Therapist – Youth & Children Services serves as a primary clinician within our youth behavioral health programs, providing individual, group, and family-focused therapy services while supporting clinical excellence across the treatment team. This role combines direct client care, family engagement, and clinical mentorship to help young people achieve meaningful progress and long‑term success.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Care

• Provide individual and group therapy services for children and adolescents.
• Conduct clinical assessments, intake evaluations, and treatment planning activities.
• Maintain an active caseload and provide ongoing therapeutic support.
• Conduct crisis intervention, risk assessments, and safety planning when necessary.
• Support emotional, behavioral, social, and developmental growth through evidence-based interventions.

Youth & Adolescent Group Therapy

• Facilitate age‑appropriate therapy groups focused on coping skills, emotional regulation, social skills, communication, self‑esteem, trauma recovery, and behavioral health.
• Utilize evidence‑based approaches including CBT, DBT‑informed interventions, trauma‑focused therapy, and family‑centered treatment strategies.
• Create a safe, engaging, and supportive therapeutic environment.
• Encourage positive peer interactions and healthy behavioral development.

Family & Community Collaboration

• Engage parents and caregivers as active participants in treatment.
• Provide family education, support, and consultation.
• Coordinate with schools, community agencies, and support systems when appropriate.
• Support continuity of care through collaboration with families and service providers.

Clinical Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide guidance and support to therapists, associates, and developing clinicians.
• Model best practices for youth engagement and therapeutic interventions.
• Participate in case consultations and multidisciplinary treatment planning.
• Support ongoing staff development and clinical excellence.

Documentation & Quality Assurance

• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Complete progress notes, treatment plan updates, assessments, and discharge summaries.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and documentation reviews.
• Ensure compliance with professional, ethical, and organizational standards.

Developmental Group Services

• Children (Ages 8–12): Focus on emotional regulation, social skills development, behavior management, coping strategies, self‑esteem building, and family engagement.
• Adolescents (Ages 13–17): Focus on emotional wellness, peer relationships, communication skills, identity development, trauma recovery, behavioral health challenges, and transition planning.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
• Active professional licensure in North Carolina or eligibility for supervised licensure.
• Minimum 2 years of clinical experience working with children and adolescents.
• Experience facilitating individual, family, and group therapy.
• Strong crisis intervention, assessment, and treatment planning skills.
• Experience collaborating with families, schools, and community providers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in PHP, IOP, Day Treatment, school‑based, or community mental health settings.
• Experience treating trauma, ADHD, behavioral disorders, anxiety, depression, and co‑occurring conditions.
• Training in Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‑CBT) or similar evidence‑based interventions.
• Experience working with child welfare, juvenile justice, or educational systems.
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Continuing Education Support
• Professional License Renewal Assistance
• Clinical Supervision and Professional Development Opportunities

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday
• Day Program and After‑School Treatment Hours

As a Lead Therapist for Youth & Children Services, you will help shape the lives of young people and their families through compassionate, evidence‑based care. This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, mentor clinicians, collaborate with schools and families, and make a lasting impact on the next generation.

Citizens Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, including professionals with experience in education, child welfare, school counseling, juvenile justice, and youth behavioral health services.