Staff Therapist, Student Community Liaison (Multiple Positions)

Staff Therapist - Student Community Liaison position focused on clinical duties and community-based intervention for Northwestern University students. This role includes initial assessments, brief individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and outreach programming.

About the role

Reporting to the Associate Director for Community-Based Intervention, this individual assists with developing and implementing the department’s Community-Based Intervention (outreach and prevention) efforts. The role promotes a culture of care and support for students, coordinates mental health awareness and prevention initiatives, and serves as a liaison between CAPS and specific student populations. Additionally, this position participates in the training program by providing clinical supervision and training seminars, and maintains CAPS’ social media accounts to encourage help-seeking. Some evening and occasional weekend duties are required, including 2-3 evenings and up to one weekend of on-call duties per quarter, as well as 2-3 evening or weekend outreach events per quarter.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Services (60%):
  • Provides brief individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, case management, and initial assessments.
  • Assumes after-hours on-call responsibilities.
  • Maintains timely clinical records of therapeutic and other client contacts.
  • Consults with psychiatrists, parents, physicians, faculty, academic deans, residence life staff, and other campus offices to provide quality care to students.
  • Makes referrals to off-campus clinical services when appropriate.
• Community-Based Intervention Programming (30%):
  • Conducts community-based intervention programming, including orientation sessions, informal support spaces, psychoeducational workshops, and emergency support services.
  • Serves as a liaison to campus units, academic programs, and student organizations.
• Training (5%):
  • Provides clinical supervision to mental health trainees, including case review, video and progress note review, and supervisory feedback.
  • Offers consultation and training seminars on clinical topics within areas of expertise.
  • Provides crisis management consultation and supervision to trainees as requested.
• Other Duties (5%):
  • Attends and participates in CAPS staff meetings, case conferences, and in-service training.
  • Participates in CAPS and/or Student Affairs committees as assigned.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Completed Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field from an accredited program, or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA-accredited program.
• Candidates with doctoral degrees must have completed a doctoral internship at an APA-accredited site.
• Currently licensed or eligible for licensure as an independent mental health provider (e.g., psychologist, licensed clinical professional counselor, or licensed clinical social worker) in Illinois. License must be obtained within 12 months of hire.
• Experience in providing group therapy.
• Outstanding and responsive clinical skills with a strong understanding of short-term therapy, crisis intervention, consultation, and developmental community-based intervention programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently licensed in Illinois as a Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
• Experience working on an interdisciplinary team in a university counseling center or mental health agency.
• Ability to provide mental health services in Mandarin is strongly preferred.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: substance abuse and eating disorder assessment/treatment, empirically supported treatments for anxiety/depression/perfectionism, or direct experience with community-based intervention and support.
• Commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and active participation in related professional development.
• Strong creativity and problem-solving skills.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $92,000 - $99,000 annually, depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care plans.
• Retirement benefits.
• Tuition discounts.
• Work-life and wellness programs, including flexible work arrangements, childcare, and senior/adult care support.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.