How to hire a child and family therapist

How to hire a child and family therapist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step child and family therapist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a child and family therapist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new child and family therapist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a child and family therapist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the child and family therapist you need to hire. Certain child and family therapist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A child and family therapist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, child and family therapists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of child and family therapists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Child And Family Therapist	Description	Hourly rate
   Child And Family Therapist	Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists help people manage and overcome mental and emotional disorders and problems with family and other relationships. They listen to clients and ask questions to help the clients understand their problems and develop strategies to improve their lives.	$17-38
   Mental Health Clinician	A Mental Health Clinician provides psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation services for patients with mental health problems. They manage the treatment of clients and help them to obtain stable physical health.	$17-38
   Clinician	A clinician specializes in providing diagnosis, treatment, and direct care to patients with different illnesses. A clinician's duties mainly revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis, providing medical care through various therapies, and improving one's overall health condition... Show more	$16-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Social Work
   • Diagnosis
   • Mental Health
   • Individual Therapy
   • Community Resources
   • Behavioral Health
   • Crisis Intervention
   • Group Therapy Sessions
   • Mental Health Assessments
   • Mental Health Issues
   • Therapeutic Services
   • Foster Care
   • Substance Abuse
   • Child Abuse

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop and lead DBT base therapy groups for children and adolescents in residential treatment.
   • Train in HIPAA as well as an understanding of BCBA professional standards.
   • Create, implement, and monitor behavior programs under supervision of a BCBA.
   • Conduct psychological testing for social security disability, vocational rehabilitation, and hospital inpatient populations.
   • Perform occasional psychosocial rehabilitation services.
   • Perform occasional psychosocial rehabilitation services.

   More child and family therapist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your child and family therapist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A child and family therapist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, child and family therapists' average salary in south carolina is 51% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level child and family therapists earn 54% less than senior-level child and family therapists.
   • Certifications. A child and family therapist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a child and family therapist's salary.

   Average child and family therapist salary

   $55,339yearly

   $26.61 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level child and family therapist salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average child and family therapist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$65,260	$31
   2	Oregon	$56,260	$27
   3	Washington	$55,245	$27
   4	Texas	$55,042	$26
   5	Colorado	$53,738	$26
   6	Arizona	$48,603	$23
   7	Pennsylvania	$48,442	$23
   8	Iowa	$46,273	$22
   9	Oklahoma	$45,405	$22
   10	Indiana	$42,677	$21
   11	New York	$40,726	$20
   12	North Carolina	$38,612	$19
   13	Missouri	$38,510	$19
   14	Massachusetts	$31,772	$15

   Average child and family therapist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Everymind (formerly Mental Health Association Of Montgomery County)	$87,271	$41.96	1
   2	Terros Health	$76,297	$36.68	92
   3	Meridian Health Services	$68,887	$33.12	38
   4	Mental Health Partners	$68,691	$33.02	1
   5	Options Counseling and Family Services	$65,469	$31.48
   6	Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health	$62,648	$30.12	6
   7	Magellan Health	$60,749	$29.21	88
   8	Legacy Community Health	$60,530	$29.10	20
   9	Aspire Health	$59,120	$28.42	40
   10	Center for Life Management	$58,701	$28.22	10
   11	Albertina Kerr	$55,892	$26.87
   12	Seneca Companies	$54,276	$26.09	27
   13	Seneca Resources	$53,734	$25.83	43
   14	Mental Health Center Of Denver	$53,592	$25.77	12
   15	LifeWorks NW	$53,478	$25.71
   16	Americorps	$52,777	$25.37	23
   17	LifeWorks	$52,759	$25.36	25
   18	Universal Health Services	$52,491	$25.24	505
   19	Sea Mar Community Health Centers	$51,642	$24.83	198
   20	Damar Services	$51,614	$24.81	10

4. Writing a child and family therapist job description

   A job description for a child and family therapist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a child and family therapist job description:

   Child and family therapist job description example

   
   Description This is a 100% grant funded or externally funded position, for the duration as funding allows, and may be altered or eliminated contingent on program or alternative funding sources.
   
   Under the general supervision of the Department Manager and direct supervision of department Supervisor, the Trauma Therapist is responsible for maintaining a client caseload, providing short-term, evidence-based, trauma-focused individual, group, continuation, or family therapy through the developmental lifespan for assigned program for clients that have experienced a traumatic event (such as but not limited to sexual abuse, physical abuse, or exposure to domestic violence). Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: provide trauma-informed assessment, psychotherapy utilizing evidence-based practices, comprehensive intake and ongoing assessments, provide direct services and intervention, and utilize trauma focused evidence based treatment modalities for treatment planning to maximize healing and symptom management (i.e CFTSI, TF-CPT, TF-CBT, EMDR).
   
   Provide education and training, coordination, case management, and referrals to client/ families, collaborating with other agencies and professionals to ensure comprehensive management of care; advocate for client/family needs and facilitate communication within the Multidisciplinary Team, as needed. The trauma therapist participates on the multidisciplinary team (MDT), which may include members of Law Enforcement, Child Welfare Services, and the District Attorney's Office, among others and as part of the clinical treatment planning team. Document all evaluations, treatment plans, and treatment sessions in a complete and timely manner, consistent with specific department policies and/or regulatory, grant, or contractual requirements. All trauma therapists assigned to serve children and families shall abide by National Children's Alliance accreditation standards and may participate in continuation programs (i.e. Camp Hope and Pathways).
   
   Knowledge of mandated child, adult/dependent adult abuse reporting guidelines. Must follow BBS practice guidelines and will attend weekly clinical supervision and didactic trainings, if applicable. Attends all treatment team, partner meetings, cross department meetings, and trainings. Follows all department policies and procedures to direct clinical practice, demonstrates professional behavior and effective communication with staff, community members, partners and agencies. Variable hours may be required based on program requirement and client needs and services will be provided in person, tele-health, or in the field as determined by program requirements. Responsible for safeguarding the welfare of clients, and visitors. Utilizes knowledge of the mental health, medical, and community resources in San Diego and maintains familiarity with new programs.
   
   Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with victims and their families, as well as with team members and members of community groups. Ability to work independently and in a group as part of a team. Maintains appropriate verbal, personal space and relational boundaries with clients. Participates as a team member of the clinical interdisciplinary team to ensure appropriate care. All Licensed Trauma Therapists if applicable in accordance with BBS guidelines, may provide clinical supervision to licensed eligible or clinical interns which may include but not limited to BBS forms, review and approving clinical intern or license eligible clinician treatment notes.
   
   Speaks and reads English at a level that is sufficient to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position. Knowledge of standard office equipment (i.e., calculator, fax, photocopier) and personal computer and computer software skills (i.e., MS Windows, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, internet, e-mail). Windows computer skills including proficient use of keyboarding, use of mouse or keys for functions such as selecting items, use of drop down menus, scroll bars, opening folders, copying and similar operations required upon employment or within the 1st two weeks of employment to perform the essential functions of the job. Performs other duties as assigned. Follows Palomar Health rules, policies, procedures, applicable laws and standards. Carries out the mission, vision, and quality commitment of Palomar Health.Job Requirements
   Minimum Education: Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology or related field Preferred Education: Ongoing professional development and continuing education through classes, workshops, conferences and webinars with ability to provide clinical supervision in accordance with BBS supervisor requirements. Minimum Experience: 1 - 2 years related Preferred Experience: 33 - 5 years in social work, Willingness to work with families in crisis, Knowledge of child development, child sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect, Understanding of trauma dynamics, Knowledge of mental health processes; TF-CBT, BPT, CBT, EMDR, STAIR, Motivational Interviewing; Bilingual - Spanish Required Certification: American Heart Association recognized BLS - Healthcare Provider within 30 days of hire
   CFTSI Training (Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention) within 1 year of hire
   Danger Assessment within 90 days of hire
   Verification of live scan filed with state licensing board (if applicable) must be submitted to HR OR new live scan must be completed within 14 days of hire prior to providing direct service Preferred Certification: Not Applicable Required License: Valid Driver's License
   Licensure in Clinical Psychology, Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW), or Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) Preferred License: Not Applicable We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, gender, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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5. Post your job

   To find child and family therapists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any child and family therapists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level child and family therapists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your child and family therapist job on Zippia to find and recruit child and family therapist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with child and family therapist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new child and family therapist

   Once you've selected the best child and family therapist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new child and family therapist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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