Overview:

We are seeking a dedicated Licensed Mental Health Counseling Associate or Social Work Associate to join our team! This position is for an early career psychotherapist who wants to work with clients ages 13 and up, primarily adults (no clients under 13). The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience with and interest in working with gender diverse/transgender/non-binary clients. In addition, strong clinical writing skills, communication skills, eagerness to learn, and openness to feedback are essential. The successful candidate will also share the values of the practice . We strive to work through a lens of considering intersectionality and awareness of systems of oppression. We want to foster anti-racism, gender-inclusiveness, and decolonization as much as possible. We also work from a HAES (Health At Every Size) perspective. An affirming approach to working with neurodiverse clients is also required. We will not hire a clinician who does not share these core values as they will not be deemed a good fit for the practice.

Responsibilities:

Attend supervision consistently Conduct intake appointments and psychotherapy appointments Provide crisis management support to individuals in need (including recognizing when to assess for safety, how to assess for safety, and how to safety plan with clients) Provide evidence-based psychotherapy to individuals with diverse backgrounds/identities, and predominantly in the LGBTQIA+ community Write letters of support for gender-affirming care Occasionally offer family counseling or related support Write chart notes, intake assessments, and any other relevant clinical documentation

Skills:

The successful candidate should possess the following skills: Basic competency in providing gender affirming counseling, as evidenced by relevant clinical experience and training Track record of being affirming of neurodiverse clients Familiarity with and orientation towards HAES Crisis management skills (including recognizing when to assess for safety, how to engage in safety assessment, and how to collaborate with clients to make a safety plan) Openness to feedback Professional communication skills Proficiency in case conceptualization, diagnosis, and treatment planning Ability to use evidence-based treatment modalities Ability to articulate what your evidence-based theoretical orientation is and how it informs treatment (and/or a theoretical orientation you would like to develop and how it may inform treatment) Ability to conduct effective psychotherapy sessions Ability to use relevant technology, including technology essential for telehealth (e.g., Simple Practice, Google Drive, Word, Excel, etc.) The pay scale noted starts at $35 for client-facing hours, and increases at set, predictable, measurable intervals. The intended goal is to reach the upper range of the pay scale as soon as feasible, when the pre-defined benchmarks are met. Health, vision, short-term disability insurance and dental insurance are also offered once enough weekly hours are worked for the employee to qualify (subject to a waiting and enrollment period). Supervision is an additional benefit of employment. This position offers flexible scheduling. You can set a schedule that works for you while working from home (provided your home is appropriate for conducting telehealth sessions). ________________ FAQs (Please Read):

Q:

Am I paid for doing admin?

A:

Not directly, no. You are paid when the practice is paid. The goal is that the employee will be efficient with time (we will train you on how we do paperwork) and minimal time will be spent on paperwork. The aim is also that your client-facing hour rate (the rates posted) will be high enough to account for this time. In addition, paid time off and benefits are another way that total hours are accounted for in compensation.

Q:

Is there a quota for number of clients?

A:

You manage your own schedule, but if you want to be eligible for benefits, the total amount of time worked per week (all work activities) must be 30 hours per week. Of those, at least 16 must be client-facing hours . The rest can be supervision, notes, continuing ed, etc.

Q:

Do you pay for my continuing ed?

A:

No.

Q:

Do you pay for my liability insurance?

A:

No.

Q:

Who pays for supervision?

A:

Supervision is a benefit of employment. We provide supervision in-house or via a clinician we partner with and pay (we have a pre-existing collegial relationship with this clinician; this is not a clinician suggested or found by the employee).

Q:

Is this a W-2 job or a contractor job?

A:

This is a W-2 job.

Q:

Can I live in some other state while working remote for this practice?

A:

No.

Q:

I am only looking for something temporary. Should I apply?

A:

No. This is not a temp job. We are looking for a long term clinician to train and invest in.

Q:

I use some other modality that isn't talk therapy. Can I make changes to the practice to make it fit my needs (re-arranging furniture, re-decorating the office, doing a modality nobody at the practice can ethically supervise, working with a population that the practice doesn't typically serve such as young children)?

A:

No.

Q:

I need full access to the office and can't do any telehealth. Is that okay?

A:

No. The office is for sharing.

Q:

I can't work in-person, but I'm in WA and can work via telehealth. Is that okay?

A:

Yes. That is okay!

Q:

How long does it take to have a full caseload?

A:

It varies by time-of-year (e.g., summer is slow, fall is busier, the holidays are slower, etc.). There is a ramp up period, which is the norm for private practice. We will use our referral channels and put you on our website, but we do not assign a full caseload to you. You get to select who you work with, within reason. That does mean that it takes some time, and it also means that hopefully you only work with clients who are a good fit for you specifically.

Q:

How does pay work?

A:

As your caseload grows, you get pay raises at set benchmarks. Once your pay goes up, it does not go back down. It is truly a pay raise. You get paid twice-a-month via payroll.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$35.00 - $65.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): Do you have clinical experience working with transgender/non-binary people? If yes, say more. What is your perspective on working with neurodiverse people? Have you written a WPATH letter before, or are you aware of WPATH? If yes, say more. Please describe your understanding of and familiarity with HAES. Have you ever been subject to any disciplinary action by any ethics board, licensing body, educational institution, or place of employment? If yes, say more. Did you read and understand the FAQs?

Education:

Master's (Required)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Bellingham, WA 98225