Guiding Hands Counseling, PLLC (GHC) is a small, group private practice located in Bennington, Vermont. Bennington is both rural and suburban with hometown charm and is unique in its scarcity of resources. GHC was founded in 2022 by Angelique Parks, MA, LCMHC after realizing the significant need for effective, informed, and compassionate mental health care. GHC was created on the principle of flexibility and quality care, with a client-centered and strength-based approach, focusing on growth and decreasing barriers. Bennington County is both rural and suburban, unique in its scarcity of resources and hometown charm. Many are not as aware of the difficulties that children and families in the Bennington area face, specifically, the array and extent of their emotional and behavioral health challenges. Many families struggle to find mental health resources to meet the needs of their children. GHC hopes to bridge the gap and find innovative ways to assist those asking for help and ready to take steps toward supporting their well-being. Simply put, we as a practice are just people helping people. If you are someone who enjoys working with couples or families, and want to make a difference in the lives of those you work with, GHC is excited to hear from you! Are you interested in joining a practice eager to respond to the needs of the community and the clients we serve?

GHC is seeking a full-time (or part-time) Outpatient Couples and Family Therapist to join our practice.

Essential Skills:

- Excellent communication, observational, and analytical skills, as well as patience, empathy, and a deep understanding of family and couple dynamics, concerns, and systems issues.

- Excellent customer service for clients and collaborate with a dynamic team to further the mission of filling gaps in our community, in particular for couples and families.

Tasks/Responsibilities:

- Assessment and Diagnosis: Evaluate and diagnose behavioral, cognitive, developmental, and emotional issues in individuals as they relate to their functioning independently and within a dynamic (couple or family). Create and implement treatment plans for individuals and complete ongoing documentation, including further diagnosis, treatment plan reviews, and case/progress notes, and discharge planning for clients on caseload according to ethics and policy.

- Therapeutic Interventions: Use various therapeutic techniques to help individuals and their families or partners improve their coping skills, regulation, relationships and communication, and overall well-being.

- Family/Couple Involvement: Work with families or partners to understand the client’s context and develop strategies to support their functioning and well-being.

- Collaboration: Coordinate with other professionals, such as doctors, specialists, and supports, as needed and allowed via release of information, to coordinate care and support the client and their family/couple.

- Have fun: Utilize creativity in interventions to help clients achieve and exceed their goals.

Requirements/Qualifications:

- Candidates are required to either have:

• A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Mental Health, Marriage & Family Therapy (or a closely related field) from an accredited college or university and on track to obtain licensure in their designated field
• If this is the case, must be licensed or able to be registered as a Non-Licensed, Non-Certified Psychotherapist in VT
• Or have clinical licensure in VT (i.e. LICSW, LCMHC, LMFT)

- Experience with completing clinical case/progress notes, treatment plans, discharge summaries, and working with couples and/or families

- Effective written and verbal communication, professionalism, and collaboration skills

- Ability to demonstrate and model stable, appropriate boundaries with clients

- Ability to complete and submit documentation of services and other documents in a timely manner

- Comfort and familiarity working with a diverse client base

- Proficiency with technology such as Google, Microsoft, and Electronic Health Record systems (Simple Practice experience is a plus!)

- Fully licensed therapists will ideally be credentialed with insurance panels

- Special consideration will be given to those with dual-licensure in VT and NY or VT and MA

- Special consideration will be given to those with experience or specialization in areas such as trauma-informed care, marriage and family therapy, group therapy, couples, crisis, life transitions, and navigating multiple clients at a time.

Benefits:

- Rate/pay ranges depending on insurance reimbursement or client self-pay, on services provided, and/or clients seen (this is a fee-for-service position)

- Compensation above the rate of related positions and offered by local agencies

- Comfortable offices and clinic environment

- Flexible scheduling

- Supportive and group-based atmosphere, rooted in values of creativity, humor, compassion, acceptance, authenticity, and helping others

- Supervision available as needed

- Billing and Electronic Health Record System available (Simple Practice)

- Assistance with billing for a variety of insurance companies to increase reimbursement and range of clients

- Ability to see clients both in person and virtually through telehealth

- Private practice autonomy with group practice support

*GHC is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, or any other legally-recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing an undue hardship on the operation of the business.*

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $40.00 - $90.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person