Primary Therapist – Adolescent Residential Program

Location: St. Mary's, GA Employment Type: Full-Time (Flexible Scheduling) Salary: $50,000+ annually based on experience Reports To: Clinical Director

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and clinically skilled Primary Therapist to join our adolescent residential treatment program in Kingsland, Georgia. This role provides individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents ages 11–17 in a structured residential setting treating complex behavioral and mental health needs.

Clients in our program often present with high-acuity clinical concerns, including:

• Self-harm behaviors
• Suicidal ideation
• Trauma-related disorders
• Mood instability
• Depression and anxiety
• Aggression and behavioral dysregulation
• Substance use disorders

The Primary Therapist will manage a caseload of adolescent clients in 3–6 month treatment episodes, providing evidence-based interventions while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary treatment team. In addition to direct clinical services, this position plays a vital role in overall milieu management, crisis intervention, and maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic residential environment that supports client stabilization, treatment engagement, and long-term recovery.

This role is ideal for clinicians who are adaptable, creative in their interventions, and comfortable working in a dynamic residential environment where clinical judgment, crisis management, teamwork, and therapeutic leadership are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Services

• Provide individual, group, and family therapy to adolescent clients.
• Conduct clinical assessments and intake evaluations to determine treatment needs and level of care.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans.
• Monitor client progress and modify treatment strategies as clinically indicated.
• Facilitate therapeutic programming and psychoeducational groups.

Crisis Management & Milieu Support

• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization for clients experiencing acute distress.
• Assess risk related to suicidal ideation, self-harm, and behavioral escalation.
• Implement appropriate safety interventions and document all clinical actions.
• Support overall milieu management by helping maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic residential environment.
• Provide clinical guidance during behavioral incidents and collaborate with residential staff to support client stabilization.
• Utilize sound clinical judgment to de-escalate crises and promote emotional regulation and treatment engagement.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work collaboratively with psychiatrists, nursing staff, behavioral health technicians, and leadership.
• Communicate significant clinical developments or incidents to the Clinical Director.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and case consultations.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory, licensing, and organizational standards.
• Ensure compliance with clinical policies and residential treatment program guidelines.

Program Engagement

• Facilitate therapeutic programming, including leading evening programming at least one night per week.
• Demonstrate initiative and contribute to a positive therapeutic milieu for adolescents.
• Participate in ongoing program development and quality improvement initiatives as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active Georgia licensure or certification:
  • LPC
  • LAPC
  • LMSW
  • LCSW
• Minimum 1 year of experience working with high-acuity mental health clients.
• Experience providing:
  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
• Strong crisis management, clinical assessment, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) and CPR/First Aid certification preferred (training available if not currently certified).

Preferred Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in behavioral health or substance use treatment.
• Prior experience working with adolescents in residential or inpatient settings.
• Experience with trauma-informed care, DBT, CBT, ACT, or family systems therapy.
• Experience managing complex behavioral presentations and high-risk clinical situations.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Free CPI Certification
• Free CPR Training
• Supportive and collaborative clinical environment

Why Join Our Team

Our program provides clinicians the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of adolescents and families while developing advanced clinical skills in a supportive residential treatment environment. Team members gain valuable experience in adolescent mental health treatment, crisis stabilization, therapeutic milieu management, family systems work, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

If you are passionate about adolescent mental health, crisis stabilization, therapeutic residential care, and long-term recovery, we encourage you to apply.