Residential Therapist/Education Advocate

Job Title:             Residential Therapist/Education Advocate

Qualifications: Master’s Degree in social work, counseling or related field and a minimum of two years of applicable experience required.  Active licensure in South Carolina preferred (LPC, LISW-CP, LMFT, LPC-A, LMFT-A, LMSW).  Experience working with child victims of trauma/child welfare field and a minimum of two years’ experience providing individual and/or group therapy.  Experience advocating for children preferred along with above credentials. 

Note: Licensure supervision for LPC-A on site or reimbursement for off-site supervision for other licenses available.

Benefits:  Competitive benefits including group Health, Dental and Vision insurance, company paid life insurance and long-term disability, company retirement match after 1 year, 11 paid holidays, vacation and sick time, Employee Assistance Program, and more are available for all full-time employees.  As a non-profit, Hope Center employees are eligible for education loan forgiveness opportunities through PSLF.

Job Description: This position reports to the Lead Therapist and offers support to the therapy team to ensure highly responsive and appropriate assessment, clinical intervention, resource linkage and trauma debriefing for children served in HCFC residential programs, as well as occasionally caregivers of these children and HCFC staff. This includes appropriate documentation of all services provided per organization policies, contract standards and established best practices.  This position also provides advocacy for youth served in HCFC programs.

Positions Supervised: None

Responsibilities:

• Provide a thorough assessment with treatment recommendations on all children as assigned.


• Use valid, reliable assessment tools and document assessments as trained.


• Assist with coordination of treatment and education needs.


• Lead therapy groups to help children and youth develop additional coping skills.


• Provide trauma informed therapy for children who are victims of abuse or neglect.  


• Facilitate family or other group therapy as needed.


• Ensure that all services provided and treatment plans developed are sensitive to the culture and individual needs of each child.


• Prepare timely progress notes of each visit. Prepare other documentation, such as treatment plans, as required.


• Prepare reports as needed for partner agencies.


• Participate in treatment planning meetings and staff team meetings.


• Participate in educational planning meetings and attend school meetings as necessary. 


• Maintain all services in compliance with organization and contract standards.


• Provide support for practitioners as they debrief from vicarious trauma.


• Support the overall program team as directed/requested.

Necessary characteristics:  Must be committed to positive changes in children. Must be able to develop strong relationships with children, colleagues and stakeholders. Must exhibit a desire for professional growth as evidenced by accepting and responding to constructive feedback. Strong customer service, team leadership and critical thinking skills are essential.