Mental Health Counselor (Full-Time)- Smyrna, TN

Thrive Therapies

The mental health crisis in schools is real, and you feel it every day. Rising anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral dysregulation are overwhelming school counselors — and students are falling through cracks because districts lack licensed clinical capacity. Thrive expands school-based mental health by placing experienced clinicians directly into partnerships where your expertise is urgently needed and genuinely valued.

Unlike traditional outpatient settings, Thrive's school partnerships allow you to intervene early, build relationships with students in their natural environment, and coordinate with teachers and families holistically. Your caseload is managed, your documentation time is protected, and you have voice in treatment modality selection.

Position Summary

As a School-Based Mental Health Clinician, you provide direct therapeutic services, assessment, care coordination, and crisis support to students K–12 experiencing emotional disturbance, anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral health challenges. You partner with special education, counseling services, and administration to implement evidence-based interventions and support family engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct trauma-informed intake assessments and develop individualized mental health treatment plans aligned with IEP goals
• Deliver individual and small-group evidence-based therapy (CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, trauma-focused techniques) tailored to student age and needs
• Assess suicide and self-harm risk, develop safety plans, and respond to mental health crises in collaboration with school safety and administration
• Facilitate family meetings, caregiver training, and mental health education to support therapeutic progress
• Maintain clinical documentation and treatment-progress records to monitor outcomes and inform IEP decisions
• Collaborate with school counselors, special education staff, nurses, and community mental health partners to coordinate care
• Contribute to mental health awareness initiatives, staff training, and school climate improvement efforts

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Mental Health, or related clinical field from an accredited institution
• Valid, unrestricted state licensure as an LCSW, LPC, LMSW, MSW, or equivalent
• Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches
• Current CPR/First Aid certification
• Proof of immunization status and background check clearance per school district requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of school-based mental health, clinical social work, or school counseling experience
• Training in TF-CBT, DBT, or other evidence-based modalities
• Experience with crisis intervention and suicide/self-harm assessment
• Bilingual capability (Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin)

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive W-2 salary: $48,000–$56,000 based on credentials, experience, and location
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision) effective your first day
• 401(k) with company match
• 10 days PTO + paid sick leave
• Professional development stipend ($1,200 annually) for CEUs, conferences, and certifications
• $2,000 sign-on bonus (paid at 90 days)
• $1,000 semester retention bonus per semester completed
• LPC, LCSW, LMSW, or equivalent state licensure dues and state licensure fees fully reimbursed
• Malpractice and professional liability coverage provided by Thrive
• No non-compete clause — we earn your loyalty by being a place worth staying