Job Description

Job Title: School-Based Child & Adolescent Therapist

Location: Brunswick Child Office & School Sites

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Status: Full-Time

Position Summary

Coastal Horizons Center is seeking a School-Based Child & Adolescent Therapist to provide comprehensive substance use and mental health services to children, adolescents, and their families. Services are primarily provided in school settings, with additional services provided at the Brunswick Child Office and school sites

The Therapist works collaboratively with students, parents/guardians, school personnel, and other members of the treatment team to assess needs, develop treatment plans, provide counseling, coordinate services, and respond to behavioral health crises.

What You'll Do

• Provide individual, group, and family counseling to children, adolescents, and their families.
• Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments, including clinical interviews, psychosocial histories, mental status evaluations, and diagnostic assessments.
• Develop, monitor, and update individualized treatment plans and crisis plans.
• Provide evidence-based substance use and mental health interventions within the scope of professional practice.
• Provide therapeutic services at school sites, the Brunswick Child Office and school sites
• Maintain regular contact with parents and guardians.
• Provide counseling and therapeutic activities for individuals with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders.
• Engage families in completing required intake and treatment documentation.
• Establish and maintain communication with school-based referral sources, Behavioral Specialists, and other members of the child's treatment team.
• Assess and assist with crisis situations, including school-referred threat assessments involving suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, and safety concerns.
• Provide case management and coordinate services with schools, DSS, TASC, healthcare providers, and other community agencies.
• Coordinate care with psychiatric providers and programs such as Intensive In-Home, Family Preservation, and Child First.
• Connect clients and families with community resources and higher levels of care when appropriate.
• Complete timely and accurate clinical documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other required records.
• Respond to emergency referrals as assigned.
• Participate in community education and outreach activities.
• Provide professional services related to referrals from judicial systems and statewide institutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need

• Master's degree from an accredited program in human services or a related field, plus two years of progressive substance use and/or mental health counseling experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current North Carolina licensure as one of the following:
• Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS)
• Licensed Psychologist
• Licensed Psychological Associate
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of therapeutic approaches, group dynamics, crisis intervention, and family therapy.
• Knowledge of substance use and mental health disorders and their treatment.
• Knowledge of community resources and behavioral health services.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and policies governing behavioral health services.
• Understanding of medical terminology, disease processes, and psychopharmacology.
• Strong clinical assessment, documentation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to establish rapport with children, adolescents, and families.
• Ability to develop treatment goals and maintain accurate clinical documentation.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients, families, coworkers, schools, healthcare providers, and community agencies.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position involves working in school, office, home, and community environments. Employees may encounter fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, poor ventilation, and close-quarter environments and may be exposed to human body fluids. Employees are covered by applicable OSHA requirements related to bloodborne pathogens.

The position requires the ability to perform essential functions involving walking, stooping, reaching, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. The position involves sedentary work requiring occasional lifting or moving of up to 10 pounds.

Why Join Coastal Horizons?

Join a mission-driven organization providing behavioral health, substance use, and community-based services that support healthier lives, stronger families, and safer communities. This is an opportunity to make a direct impact by bringing behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and families where they live, learn, and receive support.

This version keeps the full clinical scope but makes the posting much easier for candidates to scan.