Lead School-Based Therapist with InSite Health

Location: Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Salary: $83,000–$87,000 per year
Job Type: Full-Time, W-2

Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Life Insurance

• Generous paid time off and holidays

• Employee referral program, Employee Assistance Program, Discounts, and more

Who is InSite Health?

InSite Health is a leading behavioral health organization partnering with several hundred schools to deliver best-in-class mental health programs for students. We are equally committed to supporting the employees who make this work possible by fostering a culture of care, collaboration, and shared purpose.

We leverage proprietary technology and a collaborative care model to help districts identify, support, and manage student needs more effectively by integrating clinical services, data-driven insights, and streamlined workflows. This approach helps reduce symptoms in students, improve outcomes, decrease risk, and allow schools to operate more efficiently across their behavioral health programs.

Position Summary

The Lead School-Based Therapist serves as a clinical leader within the school setting, providing direct mental health services, crisis intervention, consultation, and systems-level collaboration to support student well-being and academic success. This position plays a critical role in strengthening partnerships between behavioral health services and educational teams while promoting safe, supportive, and trauma-informed school environments.

The Lead School-Based Therapist works closely with school administration, Child Study Team (CST) members, school social workers, counselors, and other student support personnel to ensure coordinated, effective, and responsive care for students experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, or mental health challenges.

This role requires strong clinical judgment, exceptional collaboration skills, and the ability to lead and support school-based mental health initiatives across multidisciplinary teams.

Essential Responsibilities

Clinical Services

• Provide individual, group, and family counseling services to students within the school setting.

• Conduct mental health assessments, school clearances evaluations on-site at school, risk assessments, and safety planning as appropriate.

• Support students experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, or crisis-related concerns.

• Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation.

• Coordinate referrals to community-based services and outside providers when needed.

Crisis Response & Threat Assessment

• Serve as a key clinical support during crisis situations and behavioral emergencies.

• Participate in school-based crisis response planning and implementation.

• Collaborate with administration and multidisciplinary teams during threat assessments and high-risk student situations.

• Provide post-crisis support, debriefing, and re-entry planning for students and families.

Collaboration & School Partnership

• Foster strong working relationships with:

  • School administration

  • School social workers

  • Child Study Team (CST) members

  • Counselors, psychologists, and related service providers

  • Additional student support and mental health personnel

• Participate in student support meetings, IEP meetings, intervention planning meetings, and case consultations.

• Support alignment between clinical recommendations and school-based interventions.

• Promote effective communication and continuity of care across disciplines.

Leadership & Consultation

• Provide clinical support and consultation to school-based staff regarding student mental health concerns.

• Support implementation of trauma-informed and evidence-based practices within the school setting.

• Assist in identifying school-wide behavioral health needs and intervention strategies.

• Help strengthen systems and protocols related to student wellness, crisis response, and behavioral support.

Family & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with families to support student progress and emotional well-being.

• Maintain professional and compassionate communication with caregivers.

• Connect families with community resources and support as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field required.

• Active New Jersey clinical licensure required (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent).

• New Jersey Social Work Certification (Preferred)

• Experience working with children, adolescents, and families required.

• School-based or educational setting experience is strongly preferred.

• Experience with crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, and threat assessment preferred.

• Strong understanding of special education systems, school-based supports, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

• Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• Ability to build trust and collaborative relationships across school systems.

• Strong clinical decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and evidence-based interventions.

• Ability to manage high-risk and fast-paced situations effectively.

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered practices.

Work Schedule