Licensed Mental Health Clinician (Full-Time, Hybrid)

To apply for the Licensed Mental Health Clinician position at Positive Development, candidates must possess a clinical licensure such as LCSW, LPCC, LMFT, or similar. A Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Cognitive Health, or Clinical Psychology/Clinical Counseling is also required. We're seeking individuals with a strong desire to learn and work collaboratively within a trans-disciplinary team.

The work environment at Positive Development is warm, supportive, and community-driven. As a Licensed Mental Health Clinician, you’ll engage in a positive culture that embraces diversity. Expect casual interactions with team members, regular support through supervision and training, and the joy that comes with working towards meaningful change in children’s lives.

As a Licensed Mental Health Clinician at Positive Development, your daily responsibilities include developing tailored interventions to enhance emotional relationships with clients, monitoring their progress, collaborating with other therapists, supporting families, and occasionally leading training sessions and group activities. Your aim will be to help children reach their fullest potential using a developmentally focused approach.

Choosing to work at Positive Development as a Licensed Mental Health Clinician means joining a mission-driven organization that champions impactful care. We prioritize professional growth, team collaboration, and creating joyful experiences. Here, you can work authentically while contributing to the positive development of children with autism. It's a fulfilling place to grow your career.

As a new Licensed Mental Health Clinician at Positive Development, you’ll receive comprehensive support including mentorship from experienced LMHCs, ongoing training to master the Developmental Model, and participation in team meetings for feedback and collaboration. Your growth is important to us, and we are committed to providing the resources you need.

At Positive Development, we care for our team members by offering a comprehensive benefits package. Licensed Mental Health Clinicians can expect paid sick leave, medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401k plan with employer matching, paid parental leave, and employer-paid life and disability insurance. We also support continuous learning through covered CEUs.

Licensed Mental Health Clinicians at Positive Development use a relationship-based, developmental model designed to help children and adolescents with autism. This approach combines personalized interventions with collaborative strategies involving various therapeutic disciplines. By creating strong emotional connections and supporting functional behavior, clinicians foster growth and independence in their clients.

Building rapport with children on the autism spectrum involves patience, empathy, and sensitivity to their unique needs. As a Licensed Mental Health Clinician, it's essential to engage in meaningful activities that align with the child's interests, use positive reinforcement, and create a welcoming environment to foster trust and connection.

A successful experience in helping a family understand their child's needs often involves open communication and education. For instance, you might explain developmental milestones, share strategies for reinforcing positive behavior, and discuss how the family can be active participants in their child's therapeutic journey.

To monitor a child's progress effectively, I use structured assessment tools, maintain detailed session notes, and regularly communicate milestones with both the family and the multidisciplinary team. Setting clear, achievable goals and using objective measures helps ensure that interventions are tailored and impactful.

Handling challenging behaviors requires a calm and structured approach. As a Licensed Mental Health Clinician, I focus on identifying triggers, using de-escalation techniques, and redirecting the child's focus towards positive behaviors. It's also important to work with the family to develop consistent management strategies at home.

Having experience in a trans-disciplinary team means collaborating with professionals from various backgrounds, such as occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. My practice revolves around sharing insights, co-developing treatment plans, and respecting each discipline's perspective to provide comprehensive support for the child.

The developmental model in autism care emphasizes promoting growth and independence by utilizing each child's interests and strengths. This model shifts focus from purely behavioral treatments to holistic support that nurtures emotional, social, and functional skills, guiding the child towards meaningful connections with their family and community.

Conducting a family session involves creating a safe and open environment where family members feel encouraged to share experiences and concerns. I would facilitate discussions on their child's progress, share effective strategies, and help them develop collaborative goals while encouraging positive interactions among family members.

I document session notes using the child's Electronic Health Record system, which allows me to track progress systematically. I ensure that notes include objectives, strategies employed, the child's responses, and any adjustments needed in treatment. Regular updates keep the team informed and aligned.

Staying current with best practices in mental health and autism care involves continual professional development through workshops, attending relevant conferences, and participating in peer supervision. I also engage with current research and literature to apply the latest evidence-based strategies in my practice.

What inspires me about working with children with autism is the opportunity to witness their unique strengths and growth. Each child's journey is filled with potential possibilities, and being part of their development and seeing families thrive is incredibly fulfilling. I’m motivated to make meaningful contributions to their lives.