Licensed Mental Health Therapist (School Based)

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you'll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students' lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You'll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key-you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What's Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A Career in IPS Offers

Purpose and Impact:

• Essential Contributions: In every non-teaching and non-leadership role, your work directly supports the success of IPS students and schools. Whether you're maintaining facilities, providing student services, or managing administrative operations, you play a key part in ensuring an equitable and high-quality educational environment.
• Belonging and Community: IPS is a place where every employee is valued. You'll join a supportive community that promotes respect, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving students and families.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers a variety of training programs to help staff build new skills and grow professionally. This includes access to development opportunities for administrative, technical, and operational roles, as well as pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you're new to your role or seeking to deepen your expertise, IPS provides resources and support for continuous improvement.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits:

• Fair Compensation: IPS ensures competitive wages and regularly reviews pay structures to maintain equity.
• Extensive Benefits Package: Employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Additional financial benefits include flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Generous Leave Policies: IPS offers vacation, personal, and sick leave, along with paid holidays. Twelve-month employees benefit from floating holidays, and unused personal leave rolls into the sick leave balance.
• Wellness Programs: IPS prioritizes staff well-being with access to wellness initiatives, including health screenings and an employee assistance program for confidential support and counseling.

What We Expect:

• Professionalism and Reliability: Every role at IPS is vital to the district's success. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.
• Collaboration and Communication: IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with your colleagues ensures a supportive environment for all. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.
• Flexibility and Problem-Solving: As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving problems to meet the ever-changing needs of students and schools.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it's a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What's Possible - in your career and in your school. If you're ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

We are looking for a Licensed Mental Health Therapist (School-Based) who will positively impact student success by delivering direct and indirect therapeutic services to students experiencing social, emotional, or mental health challenges. This dual-purpose role is essential to supporting students who are either unable to access community-based mental health services or who are already receiving therapeutic services through an IPS-contracted provider but require additional, high-touch support due to placement in Intensive Intervention programming. As a member of the Unified Student Supports (USS) Team, you will receive excellent benefits, opportunities to grow within your role and the organization, and collaborative and supportive colleagues who put students first.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct therapeutic services (individual and small group) to students not currently connected to a community-based therapist.
• For students served in Intensive Intervention programs who have an existing community therapist, conduct weekly observations, offer supplemental therapeutic check-ins, and collaborate with school staff and external clinicians to ensure fidelity of support plans.
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments for assigned clients and develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with families and school teams.
• Maintain accurate, confidential documentation including treatment plans, progress notes, and required 90-day updates.
• Refer students to licensed prescribers for medication management when appropriate.
• Communicate regularly with families and school staff-ensuring alignment of therapeutic supports across settings while maintaining compliance with HIPAA and FERPA regulations.
• Participate in IEP, MTSS, behavior intervention, and wraparound team meetings for assigned students.
• Collaborate closely with the school-based Social Worker/Counselor to triage and address mental health needs within the building.
• Respond to student crises involving suicidal ideation, self-harm, or other urgent behavioral health concerns.
• Maintain consistent communication with external care providers such as DCS, foster care agencies, and community-based therapists.
• Receive ongoing clinical supervision by an IPS-appointed LCSW.
• Utilize trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and evidence-based therapeutic modalities tailored to youth in school settings.
• Provide home visits as necessary to support continuity of care.

"Day In the Life" Overview

On a regular day, as the Licensed Mental Health Therapist (School-based), you might:

• Conduct individual therapy with a student referred for school-based services due to insurance barriers or lack of access.
• Observe students in an Intensive Intervention classroom to assess the implementation of their therapeutic behavior plan.
• Consult with a community-based therapist to share school-based observations and ensure treatment plan alignment.
• Attend a multidisciplinary team meeting to support transition planning for a student moving from an alternative setting back to their home school.
• Support crisis response efforts, providing immediate de-escalation and therapeutic intervention.
• Participate in weekly supervision and case consultation to ensure high-quality, ethical care.
• Document student interactions and update clinical records to remain compliant with IPS and licensing standards.
• Collaborate with the school social worker to engage a family in wraparound services.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU'll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS:

As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Strong clinical judgment and the ability to design individualized, developmentally appropriate treatment plans.
• Expertise in evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, solution-focused therapy, and trauma-informed care.
• A collaborative spirit with the ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
• A racial equity mindset and a demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive practice.
• Strong communication skills-verbal, written, and interpersonal.
• Ability to work with discretion and uphold confidentiality across school, home, and community contexts.
• Organizational skills to manage caseloads, documentation, and compliance with treatment timelines.
• Flexibility and adaptability in navigating fast-paced school environments.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, ongoing professional learning, and clinical supervision.
• Empathy, patience, and the belief in every child's capacity for growth and healing.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

• Required: Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related mental health field.
• Must hold current clinical licensure in Indiana (e.g., LCSW, LMHC, LMFT).
• Clinical experience in providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and culturally competent care.
• CPI and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain within 90 days, provided by IPS).
• Experience working in school-based or youth-serving settings strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with educational systems, IEP processes, and MTSS frameworks preferred.
• Strong documentation skills and comfort with electronic case management systems.
• Ability to travel between schools and conduct home visits as needed.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

Not eligible

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.