POSITION TITLE: Child & Adolescent Therapist
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Child & Adolescent Therapist provides comprehensive, evidence-based mental health treatment to children, adolescents, and their families within Benevolent Family Services’ outpatient programs. The therapist delivers individual, group, and family therapy designed to address emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs while fostering resilience, healthy attachment, and positive family dynamics. The role involves treatment planning, progress monitoring, and close collaboration with caregivers, schools, and community support services.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents, integrating developmental, familial, and environmental factors.
- Develop individualized, measurable treatment plans incorporating client and family strengths, needs, and goals.
- Provide individual therapy utilizing modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), and other evidence-based approaches.
- Facilitate family therapy sessions to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and address family system dynamics contributing to the child’s presenting concerns.
- May lead therapeutic and psychoeducational groups that address social skills, emotion regulation, self-esteem, coping strategies, and behavioral management.
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation of all sessions and contacts within the agency’s electronic medical record (EMR) per DMAS standards.
- Maintain compliance with all ethical, legal, and professional standards of practice and confidentiality.
GENERAL COMPETENCIES:
- Strong knowledge of child and adolescent development, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care.
- Skilled in applying evidence-based treatment modalities for youth with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, and family conflict.
- Ability to engage children through play, art, and activity-based interventions in both in-office and telehealth formats.
- Commitment to cultural humility, equity, and family-centered engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to respond calmly and effectively to behavioral crises or emotional dysregulation in children.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or Marriage and Family Therapy.
- Active or license-eligible status in Virginia (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, or LMHP-R).
- Minimum of one year of direct clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families in an outpatient, school-based, or community mental health setting.
- Certification or specialized training in child therapy (e.g., Play Therapy, TF-CBT, Sand Tray, Family Systems, etc.) preferred.
- Proficiency in EMR documentation and telehealth platforms.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, to accommodate family schedules.
Benevolent Family Services (BFS) is a Joint Commission-accredited, DBHDS-licensed behavioral health organization offering PHP and IOP services to adults and adolescents across Hampton and Richmond, Virginia. BFS operates six service lines under Medicaid MCO contracts. We are people first and have enjoyed the work we do for over 12 years.