POSITION DESCRIPTION

• |
• Full Time

The Senior Staff Therapist Embedded in University Housing & Dining provides psychological services to assist domestic and international students living on campus in attaining their educational and academic goals. This position is a staff member in the University Counseling Service, housed full-time in Catlett Hall to work with students served by residence education. Position duties include individual assessment and counseling; group counseling; daytime and after hours psychoeducational and outreach programming to students, staff, faculty, administrators, and parents/families; consultation to residence hall staff; and supervision and training to graduate students in the mental health professions.

Specific Job Duties & Tasks

• Maintain a caseload delivering individual, couples, and group therapy using brief, evidence-based models.
• Evaluate mental health concerns and develop appropriate, goal-oriented treatment plans.
• Respond to urgent and emergent mental health situations within the residence halls.
• Complete timely and accurate electronic health records in accordance with ethical and legal standards.
• Facilitate referrals, follow-ups, and coordination with campus and community providers.
• Develop and facilitate workshops and psychoeducational programs for students, staff, faculty, and families.
• Offer guidance, training, and support to residence life staff on student mental health concerns.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and evaluation for graduate trainees in mental health disciplines.
• Provide debriefing and emotional support to students and staff following critical incidents.
• Partner with campus units to enhance services, analyze program outcomes, and support continuous improvement.

For a detailed job description, please email Michelle Sehmann at michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu

About the Division of Student Life:

The Division of Student Life is comprised of staff that embrace new ideas and thoughts, works together to keep our students safe, and provides them with life-changing experiences. The Division of Student Life includes 15 departments that span from Recreational Services to the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement and everything in between. We believe in working together as one team to achieve our mission: fostering student success by creating and promoting educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

About University of Iowa:

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.

Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.

Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

About University Counseling Service:

As part of the Division of Student Life, University Counseling Service provides support and mental health services to the University of Iowa campus community. UCS has an inter-disciplinary staff of psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, graduate interns, practicum students, and administrative professionals. Our training and interest span a broad range of counseling approaches. Our mission is to provide compassionate psychological services, training, and outreach that fosters the mental health of students, nurtures student success, and contributes to a safe, welcoming, and respectful campus community.

Equal opportunity employer 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in either Counseling or Clinical Psychology from an APA-Accredited program, master’s degree in social work with clinical focus from a CSWE-Accredited program, or Master’s degree in Counseling from a CACREP-Accredited Program.
• Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor: Licensed as an LISW or LMHC in the State of Iowa by date of hire. Psychologist: Possession of a valid State of Iowa license as a psychologist within 18 months of hire. License must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
• Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor: Relevant post-degree experience (typically 1-3 years).
• Psychologist: Relevant post-degree experience (typically 1-3 years) or satisfactory completion of a psychology doctoral internship.
• Extensive knowledge of evidence and theory based mental health counseling in assessment, crisis, individual, and group with a university/college student population
• Extensive ability to assess, manage, and ensure high quality mental health counseling and crisis management.
• Extensive proficiency in planning and delivering outreach programs and consultation services with residence hall constituencies or related audience.
• Working knowledge of providing supervision to trainees.
• Extensive proficiency in the application of communication techniques and relationship building skills that develop the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
• Demonstrated active commitment to promoting a welcoming and respectful environment.
• Working proficiency with office support tools and electronic medical records software (e.g., word processing, email, presentation software, and spreadsheets, electronic health records); preferably Microsoft Office and Titanium EHR.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated extensive proficiency in the ability to collaborate and interact with individuals and groups while appreciating the unique contribution of individuals from varied backgrounds.
• Interest and experience working with first year undergraduate college students and students early in their college experience.
• Interest and experience in being entrepreneurial in the continual creation of new service systems.

COMPENSATION

Starting salary minimum $55,613 to commensurate

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Application Details

To be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission. 

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. This position is eligible for sponsorship, however, if your H-1B petition is subject to the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, please note that the department will not cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. We encourage you to explore alternative pathways for work authorization. Our team is available to help identify options that may be suitable for your situation. For questions or additional information, please contact Michelle Sehmann at michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu