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.
Lead Licensed Therapist for Intensive Outpatient Programs
(Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
Location: Portland, OR
Supervisor: Director of Intensive Outpatient Programs
Employee Classification: Exempt (salaried), Full-Time
Hours: Full-Time, 40 hours per week
Compensation: $95,000 annually, with opportunities for additional clinical flat rate compensation
Onboarding Timeline: Approximately 2-3 months
Apply now! Flexible Start Date
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Primary Function:
The Lead Therapist, an independently licensed clinician, will offer evidence-based group, individual, and family therapy to adults participating in our Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). They will apply the best practices of group counseling techniques to assist patients effectively.
In addition to their clinical role, the Lead Therapist will undertake certain administrative responsibilities. These include directly and indirectly supervising and mentoring new staff/trainees, leading team meetings, and adjusting programming, among other tasks.
Attendance and presence required for IOP programming and associated staff meetings (5 hours total per week), along with an individual caseload of 6 patients, 1 intake, and 7 hours of group (14.5 clinical contact hours per week). Supervision of 1 Master’s Intern/Practicum Student.
Essential Functions:
- Provide evidence-based group, individual, and family/relationship therapy to adults in the IOP program.
- Conduct ongoing clinical assessments of patients’ mental status, safety, and daily functioning, making appropriate recommendations for treatment adjustments.
- Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans, including coordination of step-up or step-down care, transition planning, and discharge recommendations.
- Lead structured, skills-based group therapy sessions incorporating CBT, DBT, ACT, and other evidence-based modalities tailored to group needs.
- Collaborate closely with the program psychiatrist, care team, and external providers to ensure continuity of care and holistic treatment planning.
- Facilitate interdisciplinary team meetings, case consultations, and clinical discussions to enhance program effectiveness.
- Create and refine IOP program materials, ensuring content remains relevant, engaging, and responsive to patient needs.
- Provide supervision, mentorship, and training to interns, practicum students, and new staff to support professional development and clinical competency.
- Engage in ongoing professional education and training to remain current with best practices in IOP treatment and behavioral health care.
- Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines, licensing requirements, and state regulations governing mental health treatment.
- Assist with utilization reviews by providing accurate clinical documentation and justifications for patient care decisions.
- Support program leadership in scheduling, planning, and implementing improvements to IOP curriculum and operational workflows.
- Communicate effectively with patients’ families, support networks, and external providers to coordinate care and enhance treatment outcomes.
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support the program’s mission and operational success.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Required: a masters degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field, OR a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology or Counseling Psychology from an APA accredited university
- Required: appropriate board approved licensing, current and unrestricted
- Preferred: Minimum 2 years postgraduate experience working with adults in higher levels of care (residential, inpatient, PHP, IOP), community mental health, or outpatient settings
- Preferred: knowledge of group therapy dynamics and IOP curriculum (largely CBT, DBT, ACT)
- Demonstrate competence and humility in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class, ability et al
- Demonstrate commitment to the preservation of a workplace which embraces diversity
- Demonstrate commitment to confidentiality of patient and employee information
- Communicate professionally and effectively with patients and clinicians
- Demonstrate a strong attention to detail and organization
- Demonstrate patience: being patient with people who may have trouble communicating or understanding what is happening is imperative for this position
- 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 & 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 environment. Varied activities including sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting.
Mental and Physical Requirements: Involves sitting approximately 90 percent of the day, walking or standing the remainder. Ability to tolerate mental and emotional distress as an anticipated aspect of the position. May require working under stressful conditions.
Portland Mental Health & Wellness offers a competitive benefits package for full-time therapists that includes:
- Paid Vacation Time (80 hours per year)
- Paid Health Leave (40 hours per year)
- Paid Floating Holiday Hours (80 hours per year)
- Medical and Vision Insurance – Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest (choice of three plans)
- Dental Insurance
- Employer Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
- Voluntary Additional Life and AD&D Insurance
- Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
- Voluntary Accident Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account, Health Care
- Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care
- Commuter Benefit – Choice of Subsidized TriMet Pass or Limited Parking Reimbursement
- 401K Retirement Plan – Up to 4% Company Match Once Eligible
- Discounted Enrollment with Student Loan Tutor
- 10% Discount on Vitamins & Supplements Through Fullscript
- Limited Access to Columbia Sportswear Employee Store
- Discount at VioletSuitesPDX Boutique Hotel
- OnPoint Community Credit Union Group Banking Benefits
- Free Access to Continuing Education Platforms
- Opportunities for Provision of Supervision and Training for Eligible Clinicians
- Annual Continuing Education Allowance of $1,000
- Weekly Clinical Consultation Groups
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This description is intended to provide only the basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions may change as the practice’s needs evolve. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of every job.
The physical requirements described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. By signing below, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the Essential Functions of this job, with or without accommodation. If an accommodation is needed, you have an opportunity to discuss this with Human Resources.
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It’s essential to clarify that at Portland Mental Health & Wellness, we hire W-2 employees for most positions, rather than contractors. This decision reflects our commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the highest standards of care.
In Oregon, the distinction between W-2 employees and contractors holds significant legal and ethical implications. By hiring W-2 employees, we ensure that our staff receive fair wages, benefits, and protections mandated by state labor laws. This includes access to healthcare, paid leave, and workers’ compensation, fostering a supportive and secure work environment.
Moreover, hiring W-2 employees allows us to maintain consistent quality control and oversight over our services. We prioritize building a team of dedicated professionals who share our values and commitment to providing exceptional mental health care to our clients. This ensures continuity of care and fosters trust within our community.
At Portland Mental Health & Wellness, we believe that investing in our employees translates to better outcomes for our clients. By hiring W-2 employees, we uphold our commitment to integrity, transparency, and excellence in mental health care delivery. Join us in our mission to promote holistic well-being and support the mental health needs of individuals and families in Portland and beyond.
Portland Mental Health is an equal opportunity employer. We support and encourage diversity.