Find & Apply For Family / Behavioral Therapist Jobs in Saint Johns, Florida

Position Summary •This Position is Based Out of Saint John's County•Help children build brighter beginnings—and stronger futures. At Youth Crisis Center (YCC) , we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, supported, understood, and empowered to thrive. Our Bright Beginnings program brings behavioral health services directly into local preschools and Head Start programs, allowing us to support children and families where they live, learn, and grow. We are seeking a compassionate, experienced, and relationship-focused Bright Beginnings Therapist to provide mental health services to children ages 0-5 , their families, and the early childhood professionals who support them. This is an opportunity for a therapist who understands that early intervention can change the trajectory of a child's life. What You'll Do As a Bright Beginnings Therapist, you will work directly with young children, families, teachers, and Head Start staff to identify behavioral and emotional needs and develop practical strategies that promote healthy development and school success.

You will:

Provide individual, family, and group counseling and psychotherapy services to children ages 0-5. Conduct behavioral health assessments, observations, needs assessments, and clinical interviews. Develop individualized treatment and behavioral health plans in partnership with children, families, schools, and other professionals. Provide family therapy and support in the school, community, or YCC's outpatient office. Partner with teachers and Head Start staff to address behavioral, emotional, developmental, and social concerns. Provide ongoing mental health consultation to Head Start classrooms and staff. Participate in child study reviews, consultations, and interdisciplinary meetings. Provide parent and family education, support, and resources. Offer training and psychoeducational opportunities for Head Start staff and families. Monitor client progress and adjust treatment goals and interventions as appropriate. Provide timely progress summaries and clinical updates to appropriate Head Start personnel. Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely clinical documentation and client records. Complete required assessments, treatment documentation, contact logs, data entry, discharge documentation, and quality-improvement requirements. Participate in Health Service Advisory Committee and Disability Advisory Board meetings as assigned. Build strong professional relationships with schools, families, community partners, and YCC staff. Conduct outreach and develop professional relationships that support referrals and continuity of care. Manage caseloads effectively while ensuring children and families receive appropriate, high-quality services. Maintain required training and professional development. Perform other duties as assigned. What Makes This Opportunity Different? This isn't traditional office-based therapy. As a Bright Beginnings Therapist, you go where children are . You may begin your day observing a child in their classroom, meet with a teacher to develop strategies for supporting challenging behaviors, spend time with a family discussing their child's needs, and later provide therapy in the community or at YCC's outpatient office. Your work will be highly collaborative, community-based, and focused on early intervention . You will have the opportunity to: Build relationships. Get to know children and families beyond a diagnosis or treatment plan. Support families. Help parents and caregivers understand their child's behavior and develop strategies they can use every day. Partner with educators. Help teachers create environments where children can feel secure, connected, and ready to learn. Make an early impact. Early childhood is a critical period of social, emotional, and brain development. Your work can help address challenges before they become bigger barriers. Be part of something bigger. You will be part of a team committed to strengthening children, families, and the communities we serve. What We're Looking For We are looking for a therapist who is compassionate, culturally responsive, clinically sound, and comfortable working in a dynamic community-based environment.

The ideal candidate:

Has strong knowledge of child development, human behavior, counseling, and behavioral health. Understands the unique emotional and developmental needs of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. Is an excellent listener and communicator. Can build trust with young children, parents, caregivers, teachers, and community partners. Uses sound clinical judgment and critical-thinking skills. Recognizes when a child or family may need additional support or intervention. Is flexible, creative, and comfortable adapting therapeutic approaches to the needs of each child and family. Demonstrates strong organization, time management, and documentation skills. Maintains appropriate professional boundaries and follows clinical and ethical standards. Approaches families with respect, empathy, cultural humility, and a strengths-based perspective. Is comfortable providing services in schools, community settings, and an outpatient office.

Education & Experience Required:

Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy from an accredited college or university recognized by the Florida Department of Education. At least two years of related experience in social work or counseling, preferably working with at-risk children and families. Licensed or license-eligible in the State of Florida, including registered intern eligibility or above. Valid Florida driver's license. Safe driving record. Ability to travel between Head Start locations and community settings as needed.

Preferred:

Infant Mental Health certification. Child-Parent Psychotherapy ( CPP ) certification. Experience providing behavioral health services to children ages 0-5. Experience working with Head Start, preschool, early childhood education, or family-serving organizations. Experience providing services in school or community-based settings. The Skills That Matter Most We are looking for someone who can: Listen deeply and understand what children and families are communicating—both verbally and nonverbally. Build meaningful relationships and establish trust. Recognize behavioral and emotional concerns early. Translate clinical knowledge into practical strategies families and teachers can use. Communicate complex information in a way that parents, caregivers, and educators can understand. Think critically and develop creative solutions. Remain calm, flexible, and compassionate when situations become challenging. Advocate for children while respecting the voice and strengths of their families. Our Mission To build a healthier community by empowering young people and families to rise above adversity. If you believe that supporting a child today can change their tomorrow, we want to meet you. Join us in creating brighter beginnings for children and families in St. Johns County. Apply today and become part of a team that is helping children feel seen, supported, and ready to thrive.

Education and Experience Education and Experience:

Master's degree in social work, mental health counseling, or related area of study from an accredited college or university recognized by the Florida Department of Education and two years of related experience in social work or counseling with at-risk youth and families; licensed-eligible in the State of Florida preferred. A valid Florida driver's license and safe driving record is required. Mathematical Skills and Reasoning Ability Basic and/or advanced computational skills may be necessary. Physical Demands This is a sedentary position, and the incumbent will be required to sit approximately 70 per cent of the time. Little to moderate lifting of less than 25 lbs. may be required. Work Environment While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Why Join Us? Supportive and collaborative team environment with strong clinical leadership Clinical supervision and professional development opportunities to support licensure progression Consistent weekday schedule (Monday-Friday, very few weekends) Meaningful, impact-driven work with youth and families Competitive compensation within the nonprofit behavioral health sector Opportunities to expand clinical skills across a diverse client population Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00

PM Pay:

$56,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Referral program Retirement plan Vision insurance

Experience:

Counseling:

1 year (Preferred)

Location:

Saint Johns, FL (Preferred) Willingness to travel: 50% (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person