PER DIEM- Licensed School-Based Mental Health Clinician

Effective School Solutions; Wethersfield (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 96,000; Part time

Job summary

Effective School Solutions (ESS) is seeking a Per Diem Licensed School-Based Mental Health Clinician in Hartford, CT to provide school-based mental health services, including individual and group therapy, assessments, and family support.

This role offers flexible per diem hours, no benefits, and opportunities to pick up shifts or cover extended leaves; licensure in state required (LCSW/LPC/LMFT) and experience with children/adolescents is preferred; strong collaboration with school staff is

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and active state license in social work or counseling.
• Licensure (LCSW/LPC/LMFT) in the state where services are provided.
• 4+ years working with children/adolescents with behavioral/emotional needs.
• Experience supervising staff in a clinical setting; training/coaching experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide school-based mental health services (individual, group, family therapy) and assessments.
• Coordinate with families and offer parent support programs.
• Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention; coordinate referrals when needed.
• Develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans; oversee program operations.
• Collaborate with school partners and interdisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated care.

Skills

LCSW/LPC/LMFT license

Clinical supervision

Experience with children/adolescents

Trauma-informed care

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling

Job description

PER DIEM- Licensed School-Based Mental Health Clinician

Hartford, CT

PER DIEM CLINICIAN

About Effective School Solutions

Effective School Solutions (ESS) is a leading provider of school-based mental health services, serving 6,000+ K–12 students across 12 states.

We deliver the level of clinical care typically found in private practice, out-of-district placements, or higher levels of care directly within public schools- providing a full continuum of clinical programming, professional development, and district consultation.

This is a per diem position and is not eligible for benefits. Per diem clinicians support ESS on an as-needed basis, including coverage for leave assignments (e.g., medical or maternity leave).

Clinicians in this role have flexibility in their level of commitment. They may choose to pick up occasional shifts, work a few days per week on an ongoing basis, or take on a temporary full-time schedule when covering a longer-term leave assignment. Per diem clinicians can accept or decline assignments based on their availability.

This role does not follow a consistent full-time schedule; however, full-time hours may be required on a temporary basis when covering extended leave assignments.

Why This Role Matters

You’ll provide critical mental health support to students who may not otherwise have access to care—helping them succeed academically, build resilience, and thrive.

At ESS, clinicians are trusted partners in shaping supportive school environments.

Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Care & Family Support

• Provide comprehensive, school-based mental health services, including individual, group, and family therapy, as well as intake, diagnostic, and clinical assessments
• Partner with families and facilitate parent support programming
• Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention, ensuring student safety and coordinating referrals to appropriate levels of care when needed
• Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans that support students’ emotional, behavioral, and academic success
• Oversee the day-to-day clinical operations of the assigned school-based program
• Serve as the primary clinical point of contact for school partners, providing expert guidance, ensuring alignment on student support strategies, and fostering strong, collaborative relationships.
• Provide supervision, coaching, and performance feedback to assigned clinician(s)
• Facilitate weekly consultation sessions to ensure alignment on student goals and documentation standards
• Collaborate with families, school staff, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated care, and provide consultation, coaching, and training on mental health and trauma-informed practices
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing professional development

Documentation, Compliance & Professional Expectations

• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory, ethical, and organizational standards
• Uphold professional standards by maintaining active licensure, ethical practice, reliability, and a strong professional presence
• Monitor program performance and ensure alignment with ESS clinical and operational standards
• Support clinician performance through feedback, coaching, and evaluations

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field
• Active clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT) in the state where services are provided
• 4+ years of experience working with children and/or adolescents with behavioral and emotional needs
• 2+ years supervising staff in a clinical setting, clinical supervision certification preferred
• Experience providing training and coaching to educational professionals and parents/caregivers on student mental health issues.
• Experience working with schools, families, and community-based services (school-based experience preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with students, families, and school staff
• Commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care and advocating for best practices
• Proven ability to positively influence, motivate, and elevate team members and stakeholders
• Ability to make confident, sound decisions in ambiguous or evolving situations
• Proficient in clinical documentation and use of electronic systems (e.g., EMR, Microsoft Office), with the ability to maintain accurate and timely records

Why Clinicians Choose ESS

School-day schedule — No weekends or on-call requirements; occasional evening hours as needed to support family engagement
Light summers -10 hours/week for 5 weeks with full-time pay
Small caseloads
Ongoing supervision, clinical support, and free CEUs
Competitive salary + comprehensive benefits
Clinical leadership at the heart of our company

Make a meaningful impact on student mental health. Join Effective School Solutions

Equal Opportunity Employer
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, veteran status, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.