Youth Mental Health Clinician

The Youth Mental Health Clinician is a newly created position, funded by Atrius Health Equity Foundation's (AHEF) Youth as Health Care Change Agents program and managed by Lawrence CommunityWorks. The Youth Mental Health Clinician will be housed at Elevated Thought, an art and social justice organization based in Lawrence, MA, and work closely with seven community-based organizations; all located or moving within two blocks of each other. This role offers an exciting opportunity to address the mental health needs of Lawrence’s youth through innovative, culturally responsive, and community-driven approaches.

About the Atrius Health Grant Initiative

AHEF’s Youth as Health Care Change Agents is a collaborative effort to empower youth as agents of change in health and wellness across the Lawrence community. Elevated Thought (ET) is proud to be a key partner in this initiative, working alongside other organizations to develop innovative, youth-led programs that address mental health needs and promote leadership development. Over a five-year period, this initiative aims to serve over 1,600 youth and their families through increased program engagement, leadership cohorts, health career pathways, and internship opportunities. By fostering creativity, awareness, and community connection, the Atrius Health Grant Initiative seeks to create a lasting impact on the mental health and well-being of Lawrence’s youth and beyond.

The ideal candidate will bring expertise in mental health, a passion for working with youth of color, and the creativity to help shape a consistent access to youth-focused mental health programming.

In this role, you will:

• Provide high-quality, culturally informed mental health services to youth at Elevated Thought and other youth-serving organizations in the Atrius Health Initiative, including counseling, psycho-education, and mental health assessments.
• Collaborate with youth, Elevated Thought staff, and community partners to co-design and implement a youth-led program addressing community mental health needs.
• Through building a generative infrastructure, work towards engaging in individual and group therapy sessions, utilizing creative and evidence-based approaches.
• Support the social-emotional development and mental well-being of youth participating in youth programs within the AHEF Grant Collaborative.
• Work closely with the AHEF Grant Collaborative to advance its goals, including increased youth engagement and leadership development.
• Offer guidance and mentorship to youth participating in leadership and career pathways programs, with an emphasis on mental health advocacy.
• Maintain accurate and confidential client records, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and ethical standards.
• Contribute to organizational planning, meetings, and program evaluation to strengthen the impact of mental health initiatives.
• Assist in identifying community resources and referrals for additional mental health support and behavior health system navigation, as needed.

Qualifications

• Licensure: LCSW, LMHC, or LICSW in Massachusetts. Clinical supervision is not provided for those working toward licensure.
• Education: Master’s degree in social work (MSW), counseling (MHC), or a related field.
• Experience: At least one year of clinical experience, preferably working with diverse youth populations and addressing trauma-informed care.
• Skills: Strong knowledge of adolescent development, family systems, and mental health challenges. Experience with program development and data-informed practice is a plus.
• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Cultural Competence: Understanding of and sensitivity to the experiences and needs of youth of color, with an emphasis on Latinx/Hispanic youth in Lawrence, MA.

Preferred Attributes

• Passionate about creative approaches to mental health and youth empowerment.
• Flexible, empathetic, and capable of working collaboratively in a mission-driven environment.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Commitment to advancing social justice and dismantling systemic oppression.
• Have strong problem-solving skills with a solutions-focused approach to any issues as they arise with youth, staff, parents, community members, etc.
• Proficient in Google Suite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Is curious; always learning and seeking ways to make things better.
• Is conscientious; keeps promises, taking commitments to others seriously.
• Is humble; lead with humility and empathy, respecting and learning from the perspectives of others.
• Has strong interpersonal and professional communication skills with the ability to work, advocate, and build relationships in a collaborative style with a diverse range of people.