POSITION SUMMARY
The Licensed Mental Health Therapist provides trauma-informed, evidence-based behavioral health services to women participating in Doors of Hope's residential reentry and recovery program. This position is responsible for conducting comprehensive clinical assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, providing individual and group psychotherapy, documenting clinical services, coordinating care, and supporting clients as they progress toward sustained recovery and successful community reintegration.
Working as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, the therapist collaborates with peer recovery specialists, case managers, residential staff, psychiatric providers, and community partners to ensure high-quality, person-centered care.
This position serves women experiencing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders, trauma, homelessness, and criminal justice involvement while maintaining the highest standards of ethical practice, clinical excellence, and regulatory compliance.
Supervises: N/A
Reports to: Executive Director
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clinical Services
- Provide evidence-based individual psychotherapy utilizing modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Relapse Prevention Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and trauma-informed interventions.
- Facilitate therapeutic, psychoeducational, relapse prevention, and process groups.
- Complete comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and other clinical evaluations upon admission and throughout treatment.
- Conduct ASAM assessments, suicide risk assessments, safety assessments, and other required clinical screenings as appropriate.
- Develop, implement, review, and update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients.
- Monitor client progress toward treatment goals and modify interventions based on clinical need.
- Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety planning when indicated.
- Participate in discharge planning and aftercare planning to support long-term recovery.
Documentation and Compliance
- Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation in the agency's Electronic Health Record(s) (EHR).
- Ensure documentation complies with Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) regulations, payer requirements, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and agency policies.
- Complete progress notes, treatment plans, assessments, discharge summaries, and other required documentation within established timeframes.
- Maintain documentation supporting medical necessity for all billable services.
Outcome Measurement and Quality Improvement
- Administer and interpret standardized assessment tools as assigned (including PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, ASAM, and other approved instruments).
- Utilize outcome measures to evaluate treatment effectiveness and inform clinical decision-making.
- Participate in utilization review, peer review, quality assurance, and accreditation activities.
- Assist with chart audits and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Care Coordination
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding client progress and barriers to recovery.
- Coordinate services with psychiatric providers, primary care providers, probation and parole officers, child welfare agencies, community providers, and referral partners while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
- Advocate for clients by facilitating access to community resources and supportive services.
- Participate in weekly treatment team meetings, case consultations, supervision, and staff meetings.
Community and Program Support
- Represent Doors of Hope professionally within the community.
- Assist with community outreach, education, and partnership development as assigned.
- Provide clinical services within correctional facilities, detention centers, residential settings, or community locations as needed.
- Participate in agency events, trainings, and professional development activities.
REGULATORY AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The therapist will:
- Adhere to all applicable Tennessee licensure regulations.
- Follow the ACA or NASW Code of Ethics, as applicable.
- Maintain HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 compliance.
- Participate in required supervision and continuing education.
- Support Doors of Hope's accreditation activities and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Maintain professional licensure and certifications.
QUALIFICATIONS
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or another closely related behavioral health discipline
- One of the following Tennessee licensed credentials: LPC, LPC-MHSP, LMSW, LCSW
- License-eligible candidates actively working toward licensure under approved supervision may be considered.
- Two or more years of clinical experience.
- Experience treating substance use disorders.
- Experience treating co-occurring disorders.
- Experience providing trauma-informed care.
- Experience with justice-involved populations.
- Experience with women in recovery.
- Experience in residential and/or outpatient behavioral health settings.
- Experience documenting services for third-party reimbursement.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Valid Tennessee Driver License
- Reliable transportation
- CPR certification within 30 days of hire
- Naloxone (Narcan) certification within 30 days of hire
- Ability to pass criminal background screening
- Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening
CORE COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate demonstrates:
Clinical Excellence
- Trauma-informed care
- Knowledge of addiction and recovery
- Co-occurring disorders treatment
- Crisis intervention
- Suicide risk assessment
- Relapse prevention
- Integrated behavioral healthcare
Professional Skills
- Strong clinical judgment
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Professional documentation
- Time management
- Organization
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
- Independent decision-making
Interpersonal Skills
- Compassion
- Professional boundaries
- Cultural humility
- Team collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Client advocacy
OTHER SKILLS
- Strictly maintain confidentiality.
- Excellent documentation skills.
- Effective Communication: Ability to effectively communicate through oral, written, and technological means; actively listening and expressing oneself clearly, to ensure those who need specific information acquire it; plan and deliver communication that makes an impact and persuades the audience.
- Initiative and Self-motivation: Plans work and conducts tasks without detailed instructions.
- Stress Tolerance: Maintains a calm, supportive, and adaptable approach in challenging situations while prioritizing client needs and well-being; Responds to urgent situations with professionalism; Seeks support from others when necessary and uses appropriate coping techniques.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with other to achieve goals and objectives; Fosters a culture of accountability and teamwork; motivates and encourages all members to work together to achieve maximum results.
- Skills in Microsoft Office, Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems, and Adobe to keep records, communicate within and outside of the Agency and organize pertinent data and program materials.
- Regular work attendance.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to feel objects with tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. May be required to lift 50-lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Full-Time 36hrs/week
Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm
Evening hours may occasionally be required to meet program needs.
Participation in occasional community events or trainings outside normal work hours.
WHY JOIN DOORS OF HOPE
Doors of Hope is committed to empowering women to break the cycle of addiction, homelessness, and incarceration through compassionate, evidence-based care. Our multidisciplinary team believes every woman deserves the opportunity to heal, recover, and build a life of lasting stability. We foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture grounded in excellence, integrity, accountability, and hope.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Doors of Hope is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace free from discrimination. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
E-VERIFY PARTICIPATION
Doors of Hope participates in the federal E-Verify program to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees in accordance with federal law.
Pay: $53,000.00 - $58,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Education:
Experience:
- clinical : 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- LPC, LPC-MHSP, LMSW, or LCSW license (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
