Early Childhood Therapist

About the role

The Early Childhood Attachment Therapist position at D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s provides relationship-focused, home-and community-based support to infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. This role includes direct therapeutic services, developmental guidance, and collaboration with childcare providers to help children thrive in their earliest years.

Responsibilities

• Provide home- and community-based therapy, assessment, and treatment to infants, toddlers, and their caregivers.
• Maintain required caseload and meet families for 3-4 visits per month, adjusting locations based on the child’s caregiving environment.
• Use Infant Mental Health principles to deliver parent-child psychotherapy, play-based interventions, and developmental guidance.
• Complete timely documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and required reporting.
• Support childcare providers with consultation aimed at preventing suspension or expulsion.
• Monitor child development using standardized tools and share results with caregivers in a supportive, culturally responsive manner.
• Collaborate with community partners, attend case-related meetings, and advocate for family needs.
• Participate in reflective supervision, team meetings, and required training hours.
• Maintain flexible scheduling to meet family needs and ensure accessibility within the team.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or Marriage & Family Therapy.
• Licensed to practice mental health therapy in the state of Michigan (LLMSW/LMSW, LLP, LLC/LPC, LLMFT, LMFT).
• Level II MI-AIMH Endorsement by starting on an IMH Waiver.
• Strong knowledge of early child development and common diagnoses and treatments for children.
• Knowledge of clinical issues related to foster and adopted children and families is preferred.
• Demonstrated competencies in observation of parent/child interaction, developmental assessment, child management, attachment, and understanding of the parallel process in therapeutic work.
• Training and ability to provide effective individual, family, and group therapy skills.
• The ability to assess and implement crisis intervention skills and safety plan.
• Possession of a knowledge of community resources and support for young children and families, and the skills necessary to facilitate and encourage positive change towards treatment goals.
• Valid driver's license, good driving record and adequate insurance with a car available always.
• The ability to articulate ideas and prepare written reports and correspondence that are of a high professional standard, are grammatically correct and are timely.
• The ability to collaborate with daycare, school, Department of Health & Human service, behavioral health and medical health personnel.
• Experience working with children from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds preferred.

Core Competencies

• Working Under Pressure: Ability to maintain composure and effectiveness when exposed to stressful or emotionally charged situations, while supporting families with empathy and professionalism.
• Communication: Ability to effectively receive and express ideas, both written and verbal; using clear and concise vocabulary and active listening skills.
• Decision Making: Ability to select and commit to an effective course of action by understanding issues, comparing solutions, and drawing conclusions to resolve problems.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Ability to recognize, respect and adapt to cultural differences, promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of care.

Physical/Environmental Requirements

• Work Environment: Ability to sit, stand, kneel, or move between positions during play-based sessions with infants and young children.
• Mobility and Movement: Ability to lift and carry work materials (typically under 20 lbs) such as toys, assessment tools or a laptop.
• Occasional exposure to emotional or high-stress situations involving families experiencing trauma, crisis, or instability.
• Ability to make sound, trauma-informed decisions in dynamic home and community environments, including recognizing safety concerns and adjusting interventions in real time.
• Technology Use: Ability to use computers, phones, and other standard office technology for extended periods.
• Communication: Ability to engage in clear, respectful communication in diverse environments, with caregivers, children and community partners in person, by phone, and in writing.
• Travel: Ability to travel to homes, childcare centers, and community locations using reliable transportation.
• Environmental Conditions: Ability to work in client homes, childcare centers, and community settings with varying levels of noise, activity, or interruptions.
• Environmental Conditions: Exposure to household pets, common allergens, and varying environmental conditions including stairs, small spaces or uneven surfaces.
• Flexible scheduling required to meet family needs, which may include early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends.