Mental Health Therapist

Position: Mental Health Therapist
Department: HHS – Behavioral Health

Compensation: $45.45 - $54.50 per hour
Location: DuPont, Washington

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Hiring Preference

If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes a Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or a BIA 4432 and/or DD214.

Why Join Our Team?

• Deliver evidence-based services within a healing environment that honors culture, community, resilience, and individual strengths.
• Work alongside behavioral health, medical, and community professionals who share a commitment to exceptional client outcomes.
• Develop trusted relationships with clients and families, empowering them to achieve their goals and create lasting positive change.

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, with a focus on work-life balance
• Professional development opportunities

Position Summary

As a Mental Health Therapist, you'll provide compassionate, culturally responsive care to individuals, families, and groups experiencing mental health, substance use, and trauma-related challenges. Using evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, you'll help clients build resilience, achieve recovery goals, and strengthen overall wellness while advancing the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Health & Human Services Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive assessment of clients using a variety of instruments to determine the diagnosis, treatment motivation, relapse potential, physical health, mental health, environment, and vocational situation; determine level of care, intervention strategies, and an individualized treatment plan.
• Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals, integrating care in assessment, treatment, and medical care for people in our Behavioral Health program.
• Counsel clients in a group or individual setting on the effects of drugs and alcohol and special health considerations such as pregnancy, mental health conditions, or chronic health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure and the emotional/cognitive complications that may arise.
• Develop appropriate individualized treatment plans to address the client’s mental health and substance use issues, coping strategies, and recovery needs; educate families, friends, or other caregivers on how to help addicts stay on track.
• Counsel clients in a group or individual setting on the effects of drugs and alcohol and special health considerations such as pregnancy, mental health conditions, or chronic health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, and the emotional/cognitive complications that may arise.
• Incorporates traditional cultural approaches as needed to aid in therapy and recovery.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education & Certifications

• Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a closely related field.
• Licensed to provide mental health services (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, PsyD) in Washington State.
• Three years of experience serving as a mental health counselor.
• A valid driver’s license.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of clinical counseling principles, substance and chemical abuse, programs, and methodology.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the use of DSM-V in the development of treatment plans for the client with substance abuse issues.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and workshops.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to conceptualize client and family experiences through a culturally and historically informed lens.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience providing behavioral health services to youth.
• Certified as a substance use disorder professional (SUDP) in Washington State, with two years of experience.
• Experience working within American Indian and/or Alaska Native communities.

Work Environment

Work is generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Employees may be exposed to bodily fluids, bloodborne pathogens, and infectious diseases. Situations may occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.

Additional Requirements

• Pass required background investigations and credential verification.
• Pass pre-employment drug screening requirements.
• Maintain all required certifications and licenses throughout employment.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit, stand, use hands and fingers for a variety of tasks, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally is required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distances.

Apply Today

If you are passionate about helping individuals access treatment, supporting recovery, and delivering compassionate healthcare services in the community, this role may be right for you! We appreciate being able to review your resume via third-party job sites, but a full application will need to be completed at cowlitz.org for your candidacy to be considered.