Adolescent Therapist – High Acuity / Crisis Care
This role requires comfort working with adolescents who may be emotionally volatile, verbally aggressive, or behaviorally escalated at times.
We are seeking an Adolescent Therapist to provide clinical leadership and direct therapeutic services within a high-acuity, crisis-oriented treatment environment serving adolescents ages 13–17 with serious mental health and/or substance use disorders.
This role works closely with Care Coordinators (BHTs/MHTs), medical providers, and leadership to support patient stabilization, safety, and treatment progression. The Adolescent Therapist is expected to function effectively in an environment characterized by emotional dysregulation, behavioral escalation, and acute psychiatric presentation.
Role Overview
The Adolescent Therapist is responsible for assessment, treatment planning, individual and group therapy, and real-time clinical decision-making in a fast-paced setting. This position requires strong clinical judgment, emotional regulation, and the ability to lead during crisis situations while maintaining therapeutic boundaries.
Key ResponsibilitiesClinical Care & Treatment Planning
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and ongoing clinical evaluations
- Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans
- Provide individual, group, and family therapy as clinically indicated
- Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation in the electronic health record
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team on diagnosis, level-of-care decisions, and discharge planning
Crisis Intervention & Stabilization
- Respond to behavioral escalation and psychiatric crises with appropriate clinical interventions
- Provide clinical guidance and direction to Care Coordinators during high-acuity situations
- Support de-escalation efforts and, when necessary, participate in post-incident clinical follow-up
- Assess safety risks, including self-harm or aggression, and recommend appropriate interventions
Team Collaboration & Leadership
- Work closely with Care Coordinators to support consistent structure, boundaries, and therapeutic milieu
- Provide clinical insight and feedback to direct-care staff regarding patient behavior and treatment goals
- Participate in treatment team meetings, case conferences, and utilization reviews
- Support a trauma-informed, safety-focused treatment culture
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy, Psychology, or related field
- Active license or license-eligible status (LCSW, LMSW, LPC, LMFT, LAC, or equivalent)
- Experience working with adolescents with serious mental health and/or substance use disorders
- Experience in high-acuity, crisis, residential, inpatient, or intensive outpatient settings strongly preferred
- Demonstrated competence in crisis intervention, risk assessment, and behavioral stabilization
- Strong documentation, communication, and clinical decision-making skills
- Ability to remain calm, professional, and clinically grounded during periods of escalation
Important Role Expectations
This is not a traditional inpatient therapy role. Successful candidates are comfortable practicing in a highly structured environment where safety, rapid clinical assessment, and collaboration with direct-care staff are critical to patient outcomes.
Why This Role Matters
The Adolescent Therapist plays a central role in guiding treatment, supporting staff, and helping adolescents move from crisis toward stabilization. This position is essential to maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment for both patients and staff.
If you are passionate about working with adolescents in crisis and are confident practicing in a high-acuity setting, we encourage you to apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have an AZ Fingerprint Clearance Card?
Ability to Commute:
- Surprise, AZ 85379 (Required)
Work Location: In person
