Primary Therapist – Adolescent Residential Program

Location: St. Marys, GA
Employment Type: Full-Time 
Salary:

• $55,000–$60,000 annually for associate-level clinicians and license-eligible Master's-level candidates working toward independent licensure
• $65,000–$70,000 annually for independently licensed clinicians (LPC, LCSW, LMFT), based on experience
• Clinical Supervision Available for Eligible Associate-Level Clinicians

Reports To: Clinical Director

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and clinically skilled Primary Therapist to join our adolescent residential treatment program in St. Marys, Georgia. This role provides individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents ages 11–17 in a structured residential setting serving youth with complex behavioral health and mental health needs.

This position is ideal for a clinician who is passionate about adolescent mental health, trauma-informed care, crisis stabilization, and helping young people develop the skills necessary for long-term recovery.

Our clients often present with high-acuity clinical concerns, including:

• Self-harm behaviors
• Suicidal ideation
• Trauma-related disorders
• Mood instability
• Depression and anxiety
• Aggression and behavioral dysregulation
• Substance use disorders
• Emotional regulation challenges

The Primary Therapist will manage a caseload of adolescent clients participating in 3–6 month treatment episodes, providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary treatment team.

In addition to providing direct clinical services, this role plays an essential part in milieu management, crisis intervention, treatment planning, and maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic residential environment that supports client stabilization, engagement, and recovery.

We welcome applications from both fully licensed clinicians and Master's-level clinicians working toward independent licensure. Clinical supervision is available for qualified candidates pursuing LPC, LCSW, or LMFT licensure.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Services

• Provide individual, group, and family therapy to adolescent clients.
• Conduct clinical assessments and intake evaluations to determine treatment needs and appropriate interventions.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans.
• Monitor client progress and adjust treatment approaches based on clinical needs.
• Facilitate evidence-based therapeutic programming and psychoeducational groups.
• Utilize trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate interventions when working with adolescents.

Crisis Management & Therapeutic Milieu Support

• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization for clients experiencing emotional distress, behavioral escalation, or safety concerns.
• Assess risk related to suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, and other high-risk clinical presentations.
• Implement appropriate safety interventions and complete required clinical documentation.
• Support overall milieu management by helping maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic residential environment.
• Provide clinical guidance during behavioral incidents and collaborate with Behavioral Health Technicians and leadership to support client stabilization.
• Utilize sound clinical judgment to de-escalate crises and promote emotional regulation, accountability, and treatment engagement.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work collaboratively with psychiatrists, medical providers, nursing staff, Behavioral Health Technicians, Clinical Leadership, and other members of the treatment team.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and case consultations.
• Communicate significant clinical developments, treatment recommendations, and safety concerns to the Clinical Director.
• Collaborate with families and support systems as clinically appropriate.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation in accordance with state regulations, accreditation standards, payer requirements, and organizational policies.
• Complete progress notes, treatment plans, assessments, and other required clinical documentation.
• Ensure compliance with residential treatment program guidelines and clinical standards.

Program Engagement

• Facilitate therapeutic groups, skills-based programming, and psychoeducational activities.
• Participate in evening programming at least one evening per week.
• Contribute to maintaining a positive, supportive, and therapeutic treatment environment.
• Participate in program development, quality improvement initiatives, and clinical team meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Master's degree from an accredited program in one of the following areas:

• Social Work (MSW)
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Psychology or closely related behavioral health field

Licensure Requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications:

Fully Licensed Clinicians:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Associate-Level or License-Eligible Clinicians:

• Associate Professional Counselor (APC)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)
• Master's-level clinicians actively working toward independent licensure

Clinical supervision may be available for qualified associate-level clinicians completing required supervision hours toward independent licensure.

Experience Requirements

• Experience providing individual, group, or family therapy preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents, behavioral health, trauma, substance use, or residential treatment preferred.
• Strong clinical assessment, crisis intervention, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary treatment team.

CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) and CPR/First Aid certification preferred. Training is available if not currently certified.

Preferred Qualifications

• Independently licensed clinician (LPC, LCSW, or LMFT)
• Prior experience in residential, inpatient, or intensive behavioral health settings
• Experience working with adolescents ages 11–17
• Experience treating trauma, mood disorders, self-harm behaviors, and behavioral dysregulation
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices including:
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Family Systems Therapy

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on licensure and experience
• Clinical supervision opportunities for eligible associate-level clinicians
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Professional development opportunities
• Free CPI Certification
• Free CPR Training
• Supportive and collaborative clinical environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement

Why Join Our Team

At St. Marys Wellness Center, clinicians have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of adolescents and families while developing advanced clinical skills in a supportive residential treatment environment.

Our team provides a collaborative setting where clinicians gain valuable experience in:

• Adolescent mental health treatment
• Crisis stabilization
• Trauma-informed care
• Therapeutic milieu management
• Family systems work
• Multidisciplinary treatment collaboration

Whether you are an experienced licensed clinician or a Master's-level therapist beginning your clinical career, St. Marys Wellness Center offers the support, supervision, and professional development needed to grow as a behavioral health professional.

If you are passionate about adolescent mental health, crisis stabilization, and helping young people build lasting recovery, we encourage you to apply.