Foster Care Therapist

CounselorIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$50K - $55K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 5mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Augusta Georgia - Augusta, GA 30904Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: Graduate DegreeSalary Range: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 Salary/yearJob Shift: DayMUST BE LICENSED OR ASSOCIATE LICENSED Fulltime Salary with benefits Recognizes, responds to, and understands the varying impact of traumatic stress and toxic environments on children, adults, families and caregivers and those who interact with them, identifies and builds on individual, family and community strengths, offers hope, fosters healing and recovery, promotes resiliency, self sufficiency and personal accountability.

Program Overview Murphy-Harpst’s services are rooted in trauma informed care. This care is directed by an understanding of neurological, biological, psychological and social effects of trauma. We assess consumers to learn if trauma occurred and whether it has a role in behavioral health needs.

Some trauma includes: sexual, physical, emotional abuse, severe neglect, loss, witnessing violence, substance abuse, imprisoned family member, and abandonment. Understanding when trauma occurred helps us tailor our responses, treatment and services.

Trauma-informed assessments and interventions always acknowledges, respects, and integrates cultural values, beliefs, and practices. Position Description This position is responsible for providing clinical services to 8-10 children/adolescents in foster care and their family as designated by the DFCS Case Manager.

The location of these services are two homes in Richmond County or two homes in the Newton/Rockdale County area.

Assessing consumers history of trauma, acuity, strengths and needs; Screen, evaluate and triage potential consumers to determine what services/evidence based interventions should be offered Assess co-occurring disorders and make referrals to relevant services based on consumer's ASAM level Provide initial clinical impressions Administer Behavioral Health assessment and reassessments as needed Administer Caregiver Strain Assessment Administer validated assessment tools specific to evidence based practice (TF-CBT, EMDR, DBT, ARC) as needed Administer/aware of ACE score and implications on service planning Develop and monitor IRRPs Evaluate and document consumer’s level of functioning and progress toward attainment of goals Provide after hours crisis support via telephone (On-Call) Coordinating Services and Collaboration; Make necessary referrals to meet consumer's health, well-being, education, mental health, and employment needs (i. e.

Department of Public Health, Department of Family & Children Services, Georgia Department of Labor, employment staffing agencies, local colleges and tech schools, etc.) Participate in Team Meetings for all consumers/members/residents/young adults as needed Collaborate and communicate with other programs in the CHRIS 180 continuum in the provision of services Collaborate and consult with other providers and entities in the provision of best care services to consumers Ensure therapists attend monthly Child & Family Team Meetings (CFTM) or provide treatment summary for consumer’s receiving wrap services as needed Advocate on behalf of consumers with other agencies to include coordinating services Monitor the provision of services provided Documentation Requirements; Timely documentation of all case activities in accordance with Center policy Maintain detailed files and other documentation in 100% compliance with standards Complete all billing expectations within designated timeframes Complete monthly summaries for consumers in DFCS custody, those receiving wrap services, or any additional partnerships/grants Practice Requirements; Adhere to the organization policies and procedures Attend individual supervision weekly Attend group supervision at a minimum of monthly Participate in clinical consultation Review case studies Maintain Personal Information and Training; Attend and participate in staff meetings as scheduled Attend and participate in required trainings as scheduled Maintain required certifications Review, understand and responsible to program policies Provide trainings as needed Provide documents in a timely fashion to Human Resources Report changes in status to HR as required by pol Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES Masters degree in the field of social work, counseling and/or marriage and family therapy and associate licensure, or fully licensed preferred An understanding of the concepts of child development and family dynamics, especially latino culture.

Skilled in providing individual, family and group therapy, Skilled in assisting and maintaining consumers in their family homes and/or community, Ability to effectively relate to consumers, parents/custodians of all social, economic, ethnic and educational backgrounds, with firmness, fairness and concern, Solid decision-making ability as related to the safety and well-being of consumers, families, community and staff, Be guided by precedent and established policy and procedure in decision-making.

This person will be required to analyze and react to difficult situations, often while under considerable stress and pressure,

Key Responsibilities

Provide clinical services and trauma-informed care to children and adolescents in foster care and their families. Responsible for conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and collaborating with DFCS and other community providers.

Requirements

Requires a Master's degree in social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy with associate or full licensure. Must have a strong understanding of child development, family dynamics, and experience in providing therapeutic interventions.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual TherapyClinical AssessmentCase Management

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Foster Care Therapist at MURPHY-HARPST CHILDRENS CENTERS a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Mental Health Therapy counselor listings evaluated on our platform.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 66% are remote, 26% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Georgia is 96.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$53k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $55k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Georgia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

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Salary Distribution33 jobs · 17 employers

9
<$80k
3
$85k
8
$95k-110k
11
$110k-125k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks31 jobs · 17 employers

401k / retirement match
100%
Sign-on bonus
39%
CME allowance
19%
Loan repayment
3%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.0
Better work-life than 50% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 8,035 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call

Living in Augusta

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$178k≈ 3.6× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,369/mo≈ 33% of gross pay
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
91.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026).

BEA 2024 · Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Murphy-Harpst Childrens Centers logo

About Murphy-Harpst Childrens Centers

Non-profit Organizations
Cedartown, GA
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Full-time salary with benefits