Psychology Associate

Posting number: 2026-07011

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: BHA

Job classification: PSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATE

Posting type: Open

Categories: Mental Health, Social Services

Summary

DSHS CSTC Cottage Therapist

Join our team at the Child Study and Treatment Center (CSTC) within Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration (BHHA) as a Psychology Associate, you will be responsible for family therapy and family group programming. You will serve as the therapist for a caseload of approximately 10 families and contribute to CSTC’s family group programming. You will also be responsible for supporting Program Directors in designing and implementing group treatment interventions, contributing to treatment plans, and supporting milieu programming.

You will provide formal and informal psychological consultation regarding psychiatric disorders, treatments, and care strategies to other direct care counselor staff who are assigned to the cottages, work with an Interdisciplinary team, and actively collaborate with cottage psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, recreation therapists, and youth counselors to provide treatment by BHA, CSTC, TJC, and CMS guidelines. Join us today in our mission of helping our community shape their own lives!

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Use evidence-based practices and state-of-the-art therapeutic strategies to provide family, individual, and group therapy and outreach program services for children and adolescents with diverse and complex diagnostic presentations.
• Participate in treatment team case formulation and interventions to effectively implement individual treatment plans.
• Assesses and documents patient progress toward treatment goals.
• Understand and apply established treatment models to patient care.
• Provide family therapy sessions to address treatment targets determined by the treatment team.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary treatment team members, including psychiatry, social work, nursing, and other hospital staff.
• Provide clinical consultation on psychological principles, to youth counselor staff in the application of proposed treatments for patients.
• Participate in continuing education in ethics and other topics relevant to the practice of therapy.
• Maintain current annual training and certifications as mandated by facility policy.

Who should apply?

• A master’s degree in psychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy from an accredited institution of higher education
• Registration as a WA State Agency Affiliated Counselor or professional licensure in the State of Washington

How to apply?

Along with your application, please attach the following:

• Letter of interest (up to two pages) specifically addressing the education, knowledge, and competencies you have that will make you successful in this job.
• A current chronological resume.
• Three or more references

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

If you have questions about job number 07011 contact the Recruiter, Chris Pulley via email at chris.pulley@dshs.wa.gov. Reference announcement 07011 in the subject.

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs, or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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