therapist

support technician

behavior technician

behavioral specialist

therapeutic program worker

Kids Thrive

What is the best part of working at the company?
Kids Thrive leadership is aware that the needs of our community are ever evolving, and that children and their families need services that break the mold of 'how things are done.'  I am excited to be a part of creating the innovative services that are needed more than ever.   
I am intimately familiar with the highs and lows of the jobs that we do in the behavioral health realm, and it isn't for everyone.  In order to be innovative and effective, this field requires employees on all levels who are open to feedback and continuous growth, seek and embrace collaboration, and are able to jump in and provide support when needed and not just when directly asked.     

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Staff turnover is stressful, especially when it directly impacts children and their services.   It's especially upsetting when a staff leaves and hasn't made the effort to appropriately address their concerns and frustrations.  Complaining to a colleague is not an effective way to address a concern, and ranting on social media just makes you a red flag to future employers [and I might be that future employer].

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
With multiple locations across the state, it varies, and with Kids Thrive being a young organization, it is still forming.  The behavioral health field can be tough, and is definitely not for everyone.  We need managers and directors who can effectively provide ongoing coaching and development to staff, and staff who understand that they need to seek out feedback and ways grow/improve as a provider.  NONE of us have this work figured out and anyone in the human/social services field should be open to constant and ongoing change.
That being said, just like with the services we provide to kids and their families, we want to be innovative in the way we support our staff, and I am witness to the continuous improvement that happens behind the scenes with the goal of being the best provider and employer in this realm.

If I could rate this zero stars, I would. This was the first job in my career where I genuinely wanted to quit within the first 60 days.

During my time there, I personally visited multiple centers and observed conditions that I found deeply concerning. I witnessed children leaving the facility unsupervised and running significant distances from the building, requiring staff to chase them down the street. I observed staff with visible bruises and children running throughout buildings without adequate supervision or intervention.

I also personally witnessed a small room where four providers were expected to conduct individual therapy sessions at the same time. In my opinion, there is no way meaningful one-on-one therapy could occur under those conditions.

In my experience, training was minimal and staff were placed in complex situations without adequate preparation. When concerns were raised, I did not observe any corrective action or follow-up. I left most days feeling emotionally exhausted and unsupported.

From my perspective, the environment did not reflect the level of clinical structure or supervision I would expect from a program of this type. I found the lack of leadership support and accountability to be a consistent pattern throughout my time there.

If you value strong clinical standards and a structured, supportive work environment, I would encourage you to ask detailed questions during the interview process before accepting a role here.

Being able to be there for the kids and have them trust you and feel safe with you is the best part of this job, building that bond and relationship with a child who normally doesn’t trust anyone is such a reward. Knowing some of them come from a not so good home life but they are willing to trust you as their provider and feel safe with you. This job is very hard and takes A LOT of patience and isn’t for everyone. We work intensively with these children to correct behaviors and help them manage their emotions when escalated. The hardest part of the job is keeping work and life outside of work balanced. It’s so easy to get so attached to the kids because you want them to have the best but, from experience, if you don’t leave work at work you will completely drain yourself! The management is one of the best management teams I’ve worked with. They are always there to listen and will assist and help anytime you need it. They listen to suggestions and do everything they can to make sure the employees wants and needs are also met. The employees are amazing as well and are always there to help one another. Being able to take constructive criticism is key with this job because being new and coming in it’s a challenge but it will help you learn the ways of the job and how we all work together! 

Navigating through each day comes with its own set of challenges, primarily due to poor management and a stark lack of flexibility, which stifles creativity and adaptability. The compensation is notably inadequate, failing to match the demands of the job, and contributes to a disheartening atmosphere. Ineffective communication and leadership within management further intensify the toxicity permeating the workplace culture. The toughest aspect of the job undoubtedly involves grappling with these pervasive issues, which can often seem overwhelming. However, the most enjoyable part shifts towards working with the clients, where there is an opportunity to make meaningful connections and see the direct impact of one’s work. This engagement offers a respite from internal issues and highlights what a supportive and client-focused work environment could achieve. Addressing the critical need for improved management practices, equitable compensation, and a nurturing workplace culture is essential for transforming these challenges into a constructive pathway forward.

- a typical day can depend due to call offs and vacations but typically staff at on location from 8am to 4pm. Either running groups or doing individual/small group sessions with kids. 
- i learned about how a kids day treatment program could function.
- management struggled with structure and supporting staff outside of their direct circle. 
- workplace culture was a bit tenuous, i would recommend keeping to yourself. 
- the hardest part of the job was leadership roles and staff expectations frequently changing and a lack of communication about those changes and what they mean. (example: therapists previously were allowed to have an hour lunch break to eat and do notes from the day. while I was working there that because a "working lunch" for most therapists)
- the most enjoyable part were the kids and some wonderful people i did meet while working there. 

I worked here and am deeply committed to the well-being of the children served. When I transitioned to a school-based role, I was placed under a supervisor who failed to provide adequate training, written procedures, or instruction on required rules and regulations. Despite this lack of preparation, expectations and accountability remained high. This lack of preparation placed both staff and kids in difficult and potentially unsafe positions.

This reflects a broader pattern of poor leadership, inadequate oversight, and disregard for ethical and professional standards. Staff are set up to fail, which ultimately impacts the quality of care provided to children. I would not recommend this organization to professionals seeking proper training, support, or ethical management.

Being able to provide, care, support, and compassion to the clients is the highlight of the job. Building a healthy relationship to help foster growth is so important for young kids. I find it to be challenging yet extremely rewarding. Management is always there to listen and provide support. While there are some challenges that management and the team have, both parties are more than willing to problem solve and create a resolution. One drawback is the pay rate. The job is not easy and is very mentally draining. The pay to job duties isn’t perfectly correlated however not unreasonable. Overall, it’s an amazing place where you can find much fulfillment and pride in your work. 

I find the work both challenging and rewarding. The fast-paced environment with high acuity clients keeps things exciting, and there's plenty of room for creativity in your role. My supervisor has always been supportive and listens to my concerns. The company provides group and individual supervision to help you achieve your independent licensure. One of the best aspects is the excellent work-life balance and reasonable caseload. Our typical schedule is Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM, with no nights, weekends, or on-call required. I have never had that in a mental health position. It's a fulfilling place to work, with a strong focus on enhancing our clients' lives.

Lack of support from management, horrible benefits, and leadership constantly leaves employees in the dark when it comes to important information. Communication is unorganized, and it often feels like workers are expected to figure things out on their own. Everything I was told during my interview turned out to be completely different once I actually started working there. This company feels like a huge liability, especially for employees who hold professional licenses and have a reputation to protect. Overall, this has been a very disappointing experience, and I would strongly caution others before considering employment here.

Working at Kids Thrive can be stressful at times—these are kids with complex needs, and the work isn't easy. But it's also incredibly meaningful. I come to work each day knowing that many of these children wouldn't have the support they need if we weren't here. The team truly cares, and there's a strong sense of purpose behind everything we do. It's not always perfect, but if you're passionate about mental health and want to make a real impact, this is the place to do it.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Therapist 37 salaries reported	$59,757 per year
Support technician 1 salary reported	$18.50 per hour
Behavior technician 13 salaries reported	$17.00 per hour
Behavioral specialist 10 salaries reported	$18.00 per hour
Therapeutic program worker 13 salaries reported	$18.81 per hour

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