Mental Health Therapist → 26/27 SY

Starting Salary: $60,000 - $70,000 /year based on experience

Environment: Special Education Program, Middle School

Availability: 2026 - 2027 School Year

, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking a Mental Health Therapist   to join our award-winning Special Education team and perform meaningful work in a culture that welcomes innovation, encourages creative expression and offers limitless potential for personal and professional satisfaction!

If you excel in a student-centered, collaborative, and data-informed environment, are passionate about supporting students with special needs, and bring resilience, empathy, and a solutions-focused mindset —  We Should Talk!

As a Mental Health Therapist , you will play a vital role in supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional success. Through individual and group counseling, as well as close collaboration with educators, families, and community partners, you will help create a safe, supportive learning environment that strengthens connections between home and school.

‖ Responsibilities Include:

• Providing individual and group counseling sessions to address interpersonal, social, emotional, or family challenges impacting school performance, including crisis intervention when necessary.

• Conducting comprehensive interviews with students, families, and school personnel to assess social, emotional, and behavioral adjustment to school and community life.

• Maintaining consistent communication with parents/guardians by informing them of student progress, challenges, and any home-life changes that may influence academic performance.

• Developing and updating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Positive Behavior Intervention Plans (PBIPs) in compliance with company, school, state, and federal guidelines.

• Attending and actively participating in IEP team meetings, facilitating when required by the district, and engaging in other team meetings to address student or parent concerns.

• Collaborating with educators, school staff, and social service agencies to design and implement appropriate support services for students and families.

• Providing case management for students, including coordinating parent meetings, facilitating emergency transportation requests, supporting disciplinary processes, and liaising with outside therapists.

• Partnering with teachers, parents/guardians, district personnel, and service providers to identify solutions to academic and behavioral challenges, while building strong relationships and promoting a positive organizational image.

• Ensuring consistent use of positive teaching strategies by conducting monthly classroom climate observations and monitoring the implementation of IEP and PBIP goals.

• Guiding and consulting with teachers on classroom scheduling, data system management, and student transition planning to ensure alignment with IEP and program goals.

• Assessing student progress through ongoing review of data collection systems, and training staff to apply results-driven interventions that address evolving student needs.

• Modeling best practices for student engagement, effective communication, and problem-solving with staff—reinforcing a data-driven, behavior-analytic, and collaborative approach to maximize outcomes for students and colleagues.

‖ Qualifications Required:

• Master’s degree or higher in educational counseling, therapy, social work or a closely related field of study.
• Meet all state and district requirements for appropriate licensing and/or credentials.
• Licensing and/or credential requirements vary by program location and may include one or more of the following:
  • LMFT | LMHC | LPC | LPCC | LEP | NCSC
• Other state credential authorizing provision of school-based counseling may be considered in lieu of licensure.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining a state special education credential highly preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company approved crisis management training.
• Prior experience and/or knowledge in special education services and compliance, particularly for students with learning disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders and/or other related disabilities.
• Prior experience and/or highly knowledgeable in providing mental health support to children, preferably in an education and/or behavioral health program setting.
• Well-versed in applied behavior analysis (ABA) including functional behavior assessment (FBA), positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) and behavior intervention plans (BIP's).
• Proven success in developing and implementing effective treatment plans for students with diverse needs at various levels.
• Proficiency in providing motivation and having critical conversations with students that help move them toward realistic goals.
• Ability to think and act quickly and calmly in an emergency and make independent decisions.
• Highly skilled in building relationships with students, parents, teachers and community and/or district partners.
• Advanced oral and written communication, instruction, curriculum, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and decision making ability.
• Well-versed in the use of relevant technology including experience with computers, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry and basic office equipment.

 

is the nation’s leading provider of alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. For more than 50 years, and in partnership with over 235 school districts nationwide, we have helped change the direction of more than 240,000 student lives !

Learn more about our history, our mission and the program services we provide by visiting the link below:

At ChanceLight we believe in providing more than just a job, as a member of our team you'll receive the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching your personal & professional fulfillment! Y our path to a truly rewarding career starts here – where growth, empowerment, and collaboration define our culture; and every day is a  Chance   to transform lives through education!

‖ Perks and Benefits Include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• FREE Telehealth and Virtual Counseling Sessions
• FREE Health Advocacy Services and 24/7 Nurse Line
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Personal Protection Insurance Plans
• Cigna Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies Program
• Legal Services Insurance 
• Pet Health Insurance
• Accrual-based Paid Time Off 
• School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule
• Extensive Personal and Life Event Paid Leave Policy
• 401k Retirement Saving Plan
• Perks at Work Employee Discount Program
• Opportunities for Growth & Development
• And So Much More!

If you're ready to start making lasting impacts on the lives of students and contribute to the creation of a brighter future — This Is Your Chance !

Join us and together, we can empower students to overcome challenges, build confidence and unlock their full potential!

Copyright © 2026 ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a ChanceLight® company *Benefit plans and eligibility requirements may vary based on role and employment status.  

Education

Required

• Masters or better in Educational Counseling or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• Social Worker - LCSW
• Counselor - AMFT
• Counselor - CRC
• Social Worker - SSW
• Crisis Prevention Inst
• Any of the following:
• Counselor - LMHC
• Counselor - LEP
• Counselor - LMFT
• Counselor - LPC
• Counselor - LPCC
• Counselor - NCSC

Preferred

• Special Ed Certification

Skills

Required

• Special Education
• Social School Work
• Autism
• Emotional Disturbance
• Teacher Mentoring/Training
• Counseling & Guidance
• Student Affairs
• Parent Counseling & Train
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
• Behavior Intervention Plans - BIP
• Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
• Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Behavioral Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• Performance Motivation
• Crisis Intervention
• Student Coaching/Mentorship
• Record Keeping & Reporting
• Decision Making
• Conflict Resolution
• Attention to Detail
• Communication
• Interdepartmental Collaboration
• Interpersonal Skills
• Computer Skills
• K-12 Education
• Treatment Planning
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Behaviors

Preferred

• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Motivations

Preferred

• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.