Part-time Child & Adolescent Mental Health Therapists (New Jersey)

As a Part-time Child & Adolescent Mental Health Therapist at Handspring, your primary responsibilities include providing weekly psychotherapy using evidence-based practices like CBT to children and young adults, engaging in case and team consultations, completing clinical documentation in a timely manner, and communicating with pediatricians and family members as necessary. With a focus on collaboration and professional development, you will also participate in ongoing training programs.

To qualify for the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Therapist position at Handspring, you must be a licensed mental health professional with an active, unrestricted license in New Jersey, such as an LCSW, LPC, or LMFT. You should have at least three years of post-graduate experience providing psychotherapy, clinical experience with young individuals, and a willingness to learn new technologies to support your role.

Yes, at Handspring, Part-time Child & Adolescent Mental Health Therapists are expected to manage a caseload of at least 15 clients per week. This ensures that you have a meaningful impact on the youth you serve while also allowing for flexibility in your schedule, making it an ideal opportunity for those pursuing other endeavors.

At Handspring, Part-time Child & Adolescent Mental Health Therapists are compensated competitively, earning $70–$80 per hour for therapy sessions, along with $25 per hour for administrative tasks. Furthermore, you'll benefit from guaranteed minimum compensation for 7 hours per week, paid supervisor consultation, paid sick time, malpractice insurance, and CEU coverage, among other advantages.

Handspring is dedicated to the professional growth of its Child & Adolescent Mental Health Therapists. You'll have access to paid weekly supervision, group consultation times, ongoing professional development training programs, and opportunities to collaborate with a supportive team of peers. Our innovative approach ensures you gain valuable skills in a nurturing environment.

In answering this question, focus on specific therapies you have employed, like CBT or DBT, and provide examples of how you've effectively utilized these methodologies to support your clients. Showcase your understanding of the therapy process and be prepared to discuss outcomes and adjustments made for different age groups.

Discuss your strategies for managing challenging behaviors, including establishing rapport, using positive reinforcement, and adapting therapy techniques to engage clients. Provide a specific example where you successfully navigated a difficult situation, emphasizing your skills in de-escalation and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment.

Demonstrate your understanding of confidentiality protocols, emphasizing the importance of thorough and timely documentation. Discuss the electronic health record systems or tools you have used, and how they help meet legal and ethical standards while also streamlining the documentation process.

Emphasize the role of partnership in your approach. Describe how you involve parents in treatment planning, setting therapy goals, and providing resources or support for family dynamics. Offering a real-life scenario where parental engagement positively influenced client outcomes can be impactful.

Express your awareness of current issues such as stigma, accessibility to care, and increasing demand for services. Highlight your commitment to addressing these challenges through innovative solutions or community outreach, showcasing your passion for improving the mental health landscape.

Discuss your techniques for building rapport and exploring the underlying reasons for resistance. Explain your flexibility in modifying your therapeutic approach and include examples where you've effectively re-engaged resistant clients, emphasizing patience and understanding.

Provide a specific example that demonstrates your self-management skills, highlighting your ability to prioritize caseload, independently seek resources, and make informed decisions. Stress how this independence aligns with your commitment to ongoing professional development.

Articulate your passion for youth mental health, discussing any formative experiences that motivated your career choice. Highlight the unique aspects of working with this demographic, from witnessing their resilience to the rewarding nature of facilitating growth and healing during formative years.

Share your strategies for professional development, including attending conferences, participating in webinars, reading current literature, and being active in professional organizations. Emphasize your commitment to lifelong learning, ensuring you bring the best practices to your clients.

Talk about your ethical decision-making process and the importance of adhering to professional guidelines. Provide a specific scenario where you faced an ethical challenge, explaining how you navigated it while maintaining the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.