Mental Health Therapist

Although open until filled, priority application date is July 17, 2025.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The UW Counseling Center has an outstanding opportunity for a Mental Health Therapist to join their team.

This role focuses on empowering University of Washington (UW) students through short-term mental health counseling, psycho-educational outreach, and liaising between campus health partners, directly contributing to their personal success and removing obstacles. A critical aspect of this position is championing the well-being of individuals from underrepresented and marginalized communities. You'll also offer expert consultation to UW faculty, staff, and students on mental health and academic challenges, fostering a positive campus environment.

Working under the clinical supervision of the UW Counseling Center, the embedded counselor will work independently within The College of Built Environments ( ) as part of the Office of Student Services, providing in-house wellness expertise to undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students enrolled in its departments and programs. The College of Built Environments and its five disciplines Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Planning, Construction Management, and Real Estate enroll roughly 1,200 students and is committed to creating more equitable, just, and sustainable environments and communities for all.

You'll regularly engage with College of Built Environments students experiencing psychological or academic distress, requiring strong crisis intervention skills and a solid understanding of FERPA and HIPAA laws. This position demands expertise in serving a diverse student body, with a particular emphasis on cultural proficiency and experience working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students. Your responsibilities will include consultation with The College of Built Environments faculty, staff, advisors, and administration, as well as Counseling Center colleagues, alongside assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and managing appropriate referrals.

You'll also develop and deliver wellness-focused presentations for College of Built Environments, including for faculty and staff, actively collaborating to cultivate a supportive environment for student mental health. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you'll contribute to enhancing UW student mental health, creating a more inclusive campus climate, and responding to mental health crises.

The Embedded Counselors primary duty will be to provide clinical mental health support to CBE students through drop-in, short term, and group counseling sessions. Additionally, the Embedded Counselor will also engage in the colleges broader educational mission by providing wellness-focused trainings, workshops, and limited classroom instruction that aligns with college needs and the counselors areas of professional interest and expertise.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Counseling Services

Provide a mix of individual and group counseling, with an emphasis on short-term, drop-in sessions (~10 hours/week dedicated to drop-in availability).

Maintain a caseload of regular clients for brief, ongoing counseling support.

Coordinate care and referrals for students needing longer-term or specialized services.

Support crisis intervention and risk assessment as needed.

Respond to inquiries from faculty, advisor, and staff regarding student mental health needs.

Wellness Education & Training

Design and deliver in-person wellness trainings for students, advisors, and faculty (1550 minutes, 34 times per academic quarter).

Develop online resources and training materials addressing common student mental health and wellness topics.

Host occasional wellness-focused events (12 per quarter) in collaboration with OSS or other student-facing groups.

Facilitate trauma-informed community response sessions when needed (e.g., listening circles following campus or societal crises).

Develop and teach a 1-credit, 10-week wellness course aligned with the counselors professional interests and the needs of the college (e.g., Managing Stress, Healthy Relationships, Mindfulness Practices).

Administrative Duties

Maintain accurate and confidential records in accordance with university and professional standards.

Participate in CBE and UW Counseling Center meetings and professional development opportunities.

In collaboration with the CBE Office of Student Services, conduct an annual college climate survey.

Provide an annual report summarizing CBE mental health activities and needs.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling/Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or related field.

Two years of experience (can include internship) providing mental health counseling with college-aged clients, preferably in a university counseling center.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Licensure in the state of Washington for the independent practice of mental health counseling.

Comfortable navigating multiple reporting lines and administrative systems.

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

Have provided therapy in a complex organization or system.

Demonstrated cultural proficiency and experience working with diverse individuals and groups.

Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice.

Experience and interest in conducting prevention and outreach services.

Demonstrated skill in working well under pressure to prioritize and manage multiple education and non-clinical responsibilities.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstrated commitment to collaborative teamwork.

Demonstrated ability to apply macro level systems theory and/or organizational psychology.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

Creative and self-starter.

Team player and bridge builder.

Experience working with trauma.

Experience facilitating trainings and workshops to range of audiences

Evidence of outstanding skills in psychotherapy and counseling, including brief therapy.

Experience providing treatment via telehealth technology.

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select Apply to this position. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your My Jobs page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.