Mental Health Therapist - PhD

Company: Pacific Quest
Location: Hilo
Posted on: February 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Primary Purpose/Overview Pacific Quest (PQ) is committed to providing the highest quality of therapeutic care and communication currently available in Residential Treatment. The therapist serves as the leader of the treatment team in this dynamic process to implement the Integrative Therapeutic Approach which addresses the three primary components of integrative health; Functional Medicine, Integrative Psychiatry, and Developmental Psychotherapy. Under the direct supervision of the Chief Clinical Officer, and in collaboration with residential staff, the Therapist establishes and monitors treatment goals and objectives, guides residential staff in the intervention and monitoring process, and conducts clinical interventions. Clinical interventions must be consistent with the Integrative Therapeutic Approach and the Clinical/Treatment Structure which includes psychosocial diagnostic assessment, individual, group and family therapy, crisis intervention and support, safety planning, professional documentation of activities, and care coordination involving the resident, designated family members, collaborating professionals, and the entire PQ team. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Know and respond to Pacific Quest philosophy, policies, procedures, the Integrative Therapeutic Approach, and Clinical/Treatment Structure. Review all admissions information for all assigned residents in a timely manner, and immediately begin the treatment planning and care coordination process with particular attention to safety concerns. Contact parents within 24 hours of arrival to introduce yourself, discuss the resident's initial adjustment to Pacific Quest, and to arrange a first phone appointment. Conduct individual, group and family therapy. Average full-time caseload is 6 adolescents (AD) and/or young adults (YA). (Note: Caseloads may vary based on therapist skill, clinical complexity of cases, and program needs.) Document all clinical activities in a timely and professional manner - therapy notes are due within 48 hours of the session. Minimum requirements for therapy: Weekly in person individual therapy sessions (average 50 minutes per session). One parent/family therapy session per week (90 minutes) by conference call (may be video conference with resident, or face-to-face during family visit). Letter writing is encouraged by the therapist and integrated into the therapy process, consistent with the program curriculum, parent manual and the resident’s treatment objectives. Group therapy - The Therapist plays a primary role in planning and conducting group therapy in accordance with Pacific Quest guidelines. Therapists sign up for groups according to their current caseload (Minimum of 2 groups per week) in a responsible manner and ensure that each group is conducted in accordance within state licensure requirements for group therapy and all appropriate documentation is completed. Complete psychosocial diagnostic assessments on assigned residents, including self-report/interview, records review, mental status evaluation, DSM 5/ICD 10 diagnosis, and integrated summary within 7 days of arrival. The therapist remains informed about the resident’s progress in all areas of Pacific Quest program (e.g., academics, health and wellness, program milestones, transition, etc.) and communicates effectively with others. Facilitate transition planning throughout the resident’s stay in collaboration with all team members. Complete and disseminate discharge recommendations two weeks before discharge. Submit discharge summaries for review within one week from discharge (or sooner as indicated) in accordance with established Pacific Quest guidelines. Provide exceptional and responsive customer service to all referral sources, resident’s, family members, and other stakeholders. Maintain boundaries and flexibility in interactions. On-call as assigned. Respond promptly and professionally in accordance with Pacific Quest guidelines. Respond to critical incidents immediately, provide clinical support, risk assessment and crisis intervention services as indicated, and ensure timely and accurate reporting of incidents in accordance with Pacific Quest policy. Skills/Qualifications Doctoral degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related mental health field. One year experience with behavioral healthcare; residential treatment is preferred. Must hold an active clinical license in the United States and be able to actively work toward clinical licensure in the State of Hawaii; must also maintain/submit a record of activities in accordance with licensing regulations. When eligible, must obtain and maintain clinical licensure in a timely manner. All activities related to licensure and communications with the licensure board shall be reported to the Clinical Director and Chief Clinical Officer. Ability to be a team player, and to form mutually respectful relationships with everyone the therapist interacts with in their role at PQ. Commitment to ongoing professional and personal growth necessary to meet the challenges of this position. Ability to work independently. Able to lean into challenges and give 100% while at work. Must demonstrate alignment with Pacific Quest Core Values: (1) Professionalism; (2) Health; (3) Connection; (4) Resilience. Maintain valid CPR, First Aid, and CPI certification. Annual Pacific Quest compliance training required. Clearance Must pass Fieldprint fingerprint scan and background checks Drug screen clearance Pre-employment physical and 2-step TB clearance; annual infectious disease clearance required Salary Range & Benefits Salary range $110k-$140k. Starting salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Healthcare including preventative health, wellness and life insurance coverage; optional prescription, dental and vision benefits Paid time off accrual and holiday pay Paid parental leave 401k plan Relocation assistance Professional development/clinical license renewal stipend Prodeals and discounts Physical Demands With or without reasonable accommodation, the physical and mental requirements of this job may include the following: seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly. Occasional reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, frequent sitting, standing and walking, may be required for long periods of time and may involve climbing stairs, walking up inclines and on uneven terrain. Additional physical requirements may include, frequent lifting and or moving up to 25 pounds. Pacific Quest is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Pacific Quest is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Human Resources at hr@pacificquest.org.

Keywords: Pacific Quest, Hilo , Mental Health Therapist - PhD, Healthcare , Hilo, Hawaii