Pre-Licensed Outpatient Associate Therapist for Children and Adolescents

We recognize the health disparities of people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people. We believe that the experiences of these communities must be valued in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities. For immediate consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter with our application form.

Portland Mental Health & Wellness is a thriving private practice and training practice with four locations in Portland, as well as one location in Salem. We are a collaboration of psychologists, psychiatric prescribers, counselors, marriage and family therapists and our trainees. We emphasize relationship first and foremost and diagnosis and treatment from within that relationship.

We strongly emphasize trauma informed care, cultural competency, establishing comfort and safety for patients, and coordination of care with primary care doctors, specialists, pediatricians, schools, and other mental health clinicians.

Pre-Licensed Associate Therapist for Children and Adolescents

(Professional Counselor Associate, Marriage & Family Therapy Associate, Clinical Social Work Associate, or Psychologist Resident)

Location: Portland, OR

Supervisor: Assigned Clinical Director

Employee Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Hours: Full-Time, 40 hours per week

Compensation: choice of Flat Rate Compensation model or select salaried options (detailed information here)

Onboarding Timeline: Approximately 2-3 months

Apply now! Flexible Start Date

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Primary Function

Child & Adolescent Therapists provide healing-centered, developmentally responsive services that support the mental and emotional well-being of youth and their families—while also offering services to adults across the lifespan. Rooted in principles of trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and a commitment to decolonizing and liberating mental health care, therapists create safe, empowering spaces that honor the identities, experiences, and voices of those they serve.

This role involves individual, family, and group therapy; care coordination; and ongoing collaboration with caregivers, educators, and other healthcare professionals. Therapists recognize the critical influence of family systems, schools, communities, and social context on mental health, and prioritize support that is holistic, accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive to the unique needs of children, adolescents, and adults alike.

Therapists work collaboratively with patients, their families, and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that all voices are valued and heard. They acknowledge the impact of historical trauma, colonization, and systemic inequities on mental health, and center the empowerment, agency, and strengths of the people they work with. Services include prevention, treatment, and maintenance approaches that promote sustainable emotional well-being, while addressing obstacles to care and fostering long-term resilience.

Above all, therapists approach their work with humility, respect, and a deep belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of age, background, or life experience.

Essential Functions

• Conduct developmentally appropriate intake assessments that consider a child’s emotional, cognitive, social, and physical needs, as well as their family, cultural, and systemic context.
• Collaborate with youth and their caregivers to co-create treatment plans that are age-sensitive and inclusive of family input and consent.
• Provide individual, family, and group therapy to children and adolescents using trauma-informed, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive modalities.
• Maintain clear, compassionate communication with caregivers, balancing child privacy with caregiver involvement and legal considerations.
• Coordinate care with pediatricians, school personnel, case managers, and other providers to support the broader ecological needs of each patient.
• Attend to early attachment, identity development, peer relationships, and academic pressures as part of therapeutic goals.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision with attention to developmental stages, transference, play-based interventions, and family dynamics.
• Ensure youth are informed of their rights in developmentally appropriate ways, including their right to confidentiality and autonomy in care.
• Uphold HIPAA and state confidentiality laws, maintaining secure and accurate clinical documentation.
• Respond to signs of abuse, neglect, or safety concerns per mandated reporting requirements with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Incorporate play therapy, art-based approaches, behavioral strategies, or other child-centered interventions as appropriate.
• Provide psychoeducation and emotional regulation tools that are adapted to the child’s age and capacity.
• Recognize and address the impacts of intergenerational trauma, systemic oppression, and cultural marginalization on youth development and well-being.
• Participate in program development efforts that advance culturally sustaining and anti-oppressive mental health practices for youth and families.
• Clinical Encounter Expectations: clinical practitioners in Outpatient Psychotherapy must choose a tier with a corresponding quarterly encounter expectation. There are two full-time options and one part-time option for each of Flat Rate Compensation or Salaried pay structures:

+ Flat Rate Compensation:

• Full-Time Option A: 288 encounters per quarter, or 25 encounters per week
• Full-Time Option B: 322 encounters per quarter, or 28 encounters per week
• The ‘per week’ figures above presume a practitioner is only working 11.5 weeks of the 13-week calendar quarter.

+ Salaried

• Full-Time Option A: 286 encounters per quarter, or 22 encounters per week
• Full-Time Option B: 325 encounters per quarter, or 25 encounters per week
• The ‘per week’ figures above divide the 13-week calendar quarter evenly.

+ Practitioners may complete more encounters than expected; the figures above are set as minimum expectations.

+ While initially building their caseload, practitioners will be expected to conduct 2 new patient intakes per day

• Required Meetings:

+ Weekly individual supervision and bi-weekly group supervision

+ All staff meeting every first Friday per month

+ Outpatient meeting every 3rd Friday of the month

+ Bi-weekly Child & Adolescent Consult Group

+ Yearly All Staff Retreat

Minimum Qualifications

• Required: Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field (or a doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an APA-accredited institution).
• Required: appropriate board approved supervision agreement or licensing
• Preferred: experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, and/or families.
• Knowledge of child development, attachment theory, and trauma-informed practices for youth.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, and working with diverse communities.
• Excellent communication skills with youth and caregivers across different backgrounds.
• Strong attention to detail and overall organization
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams (schools, pediatricians, social services).
• Follow policies and procedures to contribute to the administrative efficiency of the practice, taking initiative to suggest and develop those that may be needed.
• Ability to work with Mac OS and Google Workspace.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment, including computers, copiers, printers, telephones, etc.

Work Environment: When working from a PMHW office, the position is in a well-lit office en…