Therapeutic Counselor in Westfield MA

Northeast Center for Youth and Families; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 24,796 - 33,062; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Medical/dental insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plans

Job summary

Northeast Center for Youth & Families (NCYF) seeks Therapeutic Counselors for its Therapeutic Day Programs serving at-risk youth in Westfield, MA. Candidates work Monday–Friday, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, and join a team focused on emotional growth, life skills, and engaging youth in therapeutic activities.

We value creativity, youth-centered approaches, and strong communication. Training is provided, and the role includes transportation responsibilities and daily reporting within a supportive agency

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Evening hours required (program runs until 6:30 pm).
• Approved CORI, DCF, and driving background checks.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead therapeutic activities and plan community trips.
• Teach and model age-appropriate social and living skills; support youth development.
• Complete daily logs and required paperwork with accuracy.
• Assist with daily program organization: cooking, shopping, activity prep.
• Provide transportation for clients to and from NCYF sites.

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Crisis intervention

Youth engagement

Professional boundaries

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

About NCYF

Who is NCYF?

Northeast Center for Youth & Families, Inc. (NCYF) is a team of devoted and highly skilled professionals and paraprofessionals who provide quality care to the individuals we serve. Our agency is led by a passionate and involved leadership team based out of our Easthampton main office. NCYF opened its doors in 1972 and became incorporated in 1976. We are an experienced agency with multiple locations that provide foster care services, in‑home therapy, outpatient therapy, treatment residences, and therapeutic day programs. For nearly 50 years, we have been committed to providing innovative and high quality care to our consumers. Our mission is to empower individuals, children, adults, and families to live healthy and successful lives. Our values include respect, integrity, compassion, and hope, which we embody in everything we do.

NCYF provides paid training for all employees and offers competitive wages, a dynamic work environment, and the following benefits: medical/dental insurance; disability, group term life/voluntary life, and 401(k) retirement plans; paid holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time; whole life, critical illness, and accident insurance; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program (EAP), tuition reimbursement, and member discounts.

Therapeutic Counselor

NCYF is seeking engaging, enthusiastic individuals for Therapeutic Counselor roles in its Therapeutic Day Programs for at‑risk youth located in Westfield, MA. Candidates will be available to work Monday‑Friday from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Therapeutic Counselors aid in the development of emotional strengths and life skills for individual youths by co‑leading therapeutic activities, planning community trips, and teaching and modeling age‑appropriate social and living skills. A well‑qualified counselor is creative, supportive of youth initiatives, and able to engage with clients and their interests while maintaining proper professional boundaries. Successful counselors have knowledge of appropriate behaviors for at‑risk youth, are skilled in crisis avoidance and intervention, and possess strong communication and interpersonal skills. They must be able to assess and evaluate situations, guide and redirect youth clients as circumstances require, and complete daily logs and required paperwork with accuracy in reporting.

Counselors also assist with daily program organization such as cooking, shopping, and activity preparation, provide transportation for clients to and from NCYF sites in agency vehicles, and perform other duties as assigned or requested by supervisors.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with experience in the field; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Valid driver’s license in active status and reliable transportation
• Must work some evening hours (program runs until 6:30 pm)
• Approved CORI, DCF, and driving background checks

AA/EOE: we believe diversity strengthens our organization!