School-Based Outpatient Therapist

Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. | School-Based Services

Schedule: Monday–Friday
Work Location: Wilmington, NC | Office-Based & School-Based Services
Position: 1 Opening

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most!

Are you passionate about helping children, adolescents, and families build healthier futures? Coastal Horizons Center is seeking a dedicated School-Based Outpatient Therapist to provide compassionate, trauma-informed mental health and substance use disorder treatment to children and adolescents.

This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact through a blended service model, providing therapeutic services in office-based and school-based settings. You will work closely with families, school personnel, and community partners to help children navigate challenges, develop healthy coping skills, and access the support they need to thrive.

Work Schedule & Location

This position follows a Monday–Friday schedule and offers a blended work arrangement across office-based and school-based settings. Services will primarily be provided at WHAT, Kids Making It (approximately 20 hours per week), with the potential to serve one additional designated school site. Work locations will be coordinated based on program needs and client service requirements.

Why Join Coastal Horizons?

• Make an Impact: Help children, adolescents, and families access essential behavioral health services.

• Meaningful Work: Build relationships with families, schools, and community partners.

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a multidisciplinary team committed to positive client outcomes.

• Community Connection: Deliver services where children and families live, learn, and grow.

What You'll Do

• Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments and develop individualized treatment and person-centered plans.

• Provide individual, group, and family therapy to children and adolescents experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges.

• Deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based therapeutic interventions tailored to each client's needs.

• Maintain regular communication and engagement with parents and guardians to support treatment goals.

• Collaborate with school personnel, behavioral specialists, referral sources, and other members of the client's treatment team.

• Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety assessments, including evaluations related to suicidal or homicidal ideation.

• Coordinate care and connect clients and families with appropriate community resources and additional levels of care.

• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, assessments, treatment plans, and crisis plans.

• Provide clinical guidance and support to after-school programs, including students, staff, and families.

• Coordinate services with internal and external providers, including Intensive In-Home, Family Preservation, Child First, and psychiatric services.

• Respond to emergency referrals and participate in community education and outreach activities.

• Continue therapeutic services during school vacations and summer months as program needs require.

What You'll Need

• Master's degree from an accredited program in Human Services or a related field.

• Two years of progressive experience in substance use disorder and/or mental health counseling, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Current North Carolina licensure in one of the following:

  • Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS)

  • Licensed Psychologist

  • Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA)

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and families.

• Experience in school-based, outpatient, or community behavioral health settings.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and evidence-based therapeutic practices.

• Strong clinical assessment, communication, collaboration, and care coordination skills.

Join Our Mission!

For 56 years, Coastal Horizons Center has provided a continuum of professional services to promote healthier lives, stronger families, and safer communities.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families, we invite you to join our team!

Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.