Trauma-Informed School Counselor — Therapeutic Day School

Amherst-Pelham Regional School District; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Amherst-Pelham Regional School District seeks a School Adjustment Counselor for Summit Academy, a therapeutic day school in Amherst, MA. The role supports students with social-emotional and behavioral needs within a multidisciplinary team, delivering intensive therapeutic supports to enable access to instruction and progress toward educational goals.

The candidate will engage in crisis response, trauma-responsive practices, and collaboration with families and educators to implement IEP-based

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or counseling is required.
• Massachusetts DESE license as School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, All Levels, or eligibility for a waiver is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling consistent with students’ IEPs and treatment plans.
• Develop and implement therapeutic interventions that strengthen emotional regulation, coping, communication, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and relationship-building skills.
• Establish trusting, culturally responsive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Provide in-the-moment counseling, de-escalation, and crisis support when students experience emotional or behavioral distress.
• Conduct developmentally appropriate screenings, assessments, and risk evaluations.
• Collaborate with students to develop coping, regulation, crisis-response, and safety plans.
• Support students in transitions to Summit Academy and after hospitalization or extended absence.
• Help students address barriers to attendance and academic progress.

Skills

Trauma-responsive practice

Crisis de-escalation

Cultural responsiveness

Education

Master’s degree in social work or counseling

Massachusetts DESE license as School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, All Levels

Job description

Amherst-Pelham Regional School District seeks a School Adjustment Counselor for Summit Academy, a therapeutic day school in Amherst, MA. The role supports students with social-emotional and behavioral needs within a multidisciplinary team, delivering intensive therapeutic supports to enable access to instruction and progress toward educational goals.

The candidate will engage in crisis response, trauma-responsive practices, and collaboration with families and educators to implement IEP-based