Residential Treatment Center (RTC) Program Director at The… · Austin

Senior Clinical Therapist – RTC Program (Residential Treatment Center Director)The Settlement Home for Children

The Settlement Home for Children is seeking a licensed therapist with experience working with children who've experienced trauma to lead our Residential Treatment Center (RTC) Program. If you have at least three years of direct clinical experience with children and you're ready to take on a leadership role — even if you've never held a director title — we want to hear from you.

The Impact You Will Make

In this role, you will continue doing direct clinical work with residents while helping guide the overall direction of our RTC program. You will provide individual and group therapy, support your team in delivering trauma-informed care, and ensure the fidelity of our TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) model across the program.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct Care: Provide individual and group therapy to residents and manage crisis situations with a calm, skilled hand.
• Clinical Support: Supervise and evaluate cottage therapists and supervisors to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
• Program Fidelity: Ensure the TBRI® model is integrated into all aspects of resident treatment.
• Admissions & Intake: Review referrals, screen potential admissions, and conduct orientations for new residents and families.
• Case Management Oversight: Review and approve service plans to ensure they meet licensing standards and each child's specific needs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain working knowledge of Texas Minimum Standards and ensure the program remains in full compliance.

Who You Are

You are a clinician first. You have spent at least three years doing direct therapeutic work with children with emotional disorders — that hands-on experience is the most important qualification for this role. You understand childhood trauma, you know how to build trust with kids who've had difficult experiences, and you're ready to help shape a program built around their healing.

You don't need to have managed a program before. You do need to be fully licensed and committed to doing meaningful clinical work every day.

Required Qualifications

• Full Licensure: Currently licensed in Texas as an LCSW, LPC, or LMFT. Associate-level licenses do not meet the minimum qualifications.
• Education: A Master's degree in a human services field with specific coursework in family/individual functioning and a supervised practicum.
• Experience: At least three years of experience providing treatment to children with emotional disorders, including at least one year in a residential setting.
• Leadership: Some supervisory experience and a willingness to mentor and grow alongside a team.
• Skills: Proficiency in individual, group, and family therapy, along with strong organizational and computer skills.
• Physical Readiness: Ability to complete Emergency Behavioral Intervention training and safely administer physical restraints if necessary.

Preferred Credentials

• LCSW-S or LPC-S designation.
• Experience with the TBRI® model.
• Experience conducting staff training or overseeing a training calendar.

Why Join Us?

This is a full-time, salaried position reporting directly to the Senior Clinical Director. You will be part of a dedicated team on our main campus in Austin, doing substantive work every day for Texas youth who need it most.

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