Mental Health Therapist & Indigenous Student Cultural Liaison

Job Description

The UW Counseling Center has an outstanding opportunity for a Mental Health Therapist and Indigenous Student Cultural Liaison.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Mental Health Therapist is responsible for providing short-term mental health counseling services and psycho-educational outreach to enrolled UW students, with a particular focus on Native students. A key role in this position is to support and empower individuals from underrepresented and marginalized communities to promote student retention and graduation. This role also provides professional consultation to UW faculty, staff, and students regarding student behavior, mental health, and academic challenges to enhance the campus climate for student success.

This position involves daily intense contact with UW students in psychological or academic distress. Consultation, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and appropriate referrals - on and off campus - will be required. This position requires the ability to work in a cross-cultural environment and understands the social and cultural context of Native students. Understanding the role of trauma (historical, community, family, and personal) in wellness and recovery is key.  Cultural proficiency and expertise working with BIPOC students is required. This position requires excellent crisis intervention skills.

This role serves on the UW Seattle campus, and is scheduled to work M-F, with occasional evening and weekend programming. Telework is currently available 2x/week.

Key Responsibilities:

This position provides short-term mental health counseling services and psycho-educational outreach to enrolled UW students.

Psychotherapy (40-55%)

• Provide clinical counseling for individual, group, and couples therapy to currently enrolled UW students, including initial intake assessments and referral. 

• Provide crisis services when students present with problems of a complex or threatening nature.

Outreach and consultation (15-30%)

• Provide psychoeducation and trust-building with Native students to improve mental health and retention.

• Provide professional consultation to UW faculty, staff, and students regarding student behavior, mental health, and academic challenges to enhance an inclusive campus climate for student success.

Documentation (20%)

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of treatment and services provided.

Administrative (10%)  

• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and departmental committees to promote overall student mental health.

• Engage in professional development to keep current in the field, including maintaining clinical license to practice in Washington

Required qualifications:

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum qualifications:

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling/Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or related field OR Doctorate degree in Counseling/Clinical Psychology or related field

• Two years of experience (can include internship) providing mental health counseling

Additional Qualifications

• Licensure in the state of Washington for the independent practice of mental health counseling OR ability to be independently licensed in the state of Washington

• Experience providing therapy with college-aged clients or working in a university counseling center.

• Evidence of outstanding skills in clinical assessment, psychotherapy and counseling, crisis management, and psycho-education.

• Demonstrated cultural proficiency and experience working with Native populations and diverse populations.

• Experience working with trauma

Desired Qualifications

• Experience and interest in conducting prevention and outreach services, preferably in collaboration with campus partners

• Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice

• Experience providing gender affirming care

• Experience providing treatment via telehealth technology

• Demonstrated skill in working well under pressure to prioritize and manage multiple clinical responsibilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

About the Team

The Counseling Center centers student wellbeing, and we believe we do this best by supporting one another as a team. Our staff bring a wide range of clinical backgrounds, identities, and perspectives, and we value the collaboration, humor, and mutual care that come from working closely together.

We welcome creativity and a proactive approach in designing interventions that support the wellbeing of our diverse student body, particularly students from groups traditionally underserved by the mental health care system. Team members are encouraged to contribute ideas that shape how we serve students, and grow professionally in an environment grounded in trust, respect, and shared purpose.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$80,004.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$95,004.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.