Licensed Psychologist, Counselor, or Psychotherapist with Interest in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Position Description:

Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center is seeking a full-time therapist (licensed psychologist, LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or PMHNP) to join our unique center, which is committed to using science and the social enterprise model to make significant positive change in our community. We are specifically searching for someone who is interested in psychedelic science, psychedelic harm reduction, and eventually delivering legal psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Our organization is engaged in work related to the therapeutic use of psychedelics at multiple levels and we are looking to expand our work on these topics. Currently:

Candidates must be licensed in Oregon or license eligible at time of hire. Requirements include a strong commitment to the use of evidence-based practices in psychotherapy, demonstrated interested in the therapeutic use of psychedelics, and training in at least one evidence-based approach to therapy, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), RO DBT, DBT, behavior therapy, emotion-focused therapy, or other newer forms of CBT.

We are also interested in clinicians with specialties in couples therapy, depression, addiction, children, adolescents, anxiety disorders, or working with underserved communities.

Responsibilities:

We are searching for candidates who want to develop a career providing psychedelic- or MDMA-assisted therapy and who value an approach to therapy that blends scientific/evidence-based thinking with respect for other ways of knowing. The position comes with extensive support for and opportunities to receive training related to psychedelics. Since psychedelic-assisted therapy is not yet legally available, initially the person’s caseload will largely consist of providing traditional therapy based upon the person’s interests and areas of specialization as well as psychedelic integration and harm reduction services (see here for more information on Portland Psychotherapy’s Psychedelic Integration and Safety Services). This person will also receive training sufficient to provide legal psilocybin-assisted therapy services through the Psilocybin Services Initiative in Oregon. Training is expected to begin in 2022 and psilocybin-assisted therapy is expected to begin in 2023. Depending on the candidate, they may also have the opportunity to serve as a therapist in our MDMA-assisted therapy trial and/or may have the opportunity to be trained by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to deliver MDMA-assisted therapy in preparation for when that becomes legalized.

This is a full-time clinical position. While the therapist will need to be capable of providing psychotherapy to a wide variety of clients, we are most interested in applicants who currently are or have the potential to be experts in their particular area of clinical focus. The position may also involve developing and running groups or classes if desired. Psychologists will have the opportunity to supervise postdoctoral fellows or practicum students. Clinicians with appropriate backgrounds may also have the opportunity to lead professional trainings if they desire.

Training Support:

Portland Psychotherapy is dedicated to providing our staff the support they need to develop expertise in their areas of interest. This includes free attendance of the range of workshops and continuing education events that Portland Psychotherapy hosts. We also provide additional support for obtaining outside training or paying for consultation. In addition, this position provides a rare opportunity for therapists wanting to develop skill and expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or psychedelic- and MDMA-assisted therapy.

Minimum Qualifications:

Masters or Doctoral degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or mental health nursing. Licensed in Oregon or license eligible upon hire. Able to demonstrate commitment to science-based and evidence-based practices.

This is a full-time position (i.e., 40 hours per week) that comes with a full benefits package. Portland Psychotherapy strives to provide its staff with a high level of flexibility and autonomy and supports its employees in developing a sustainable work-life balance. The schedule is reasonably flexible and requires daytime hours. Portland Psychotherapy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Persons from historically disadvantaged populations including gender, sexual, and racial minorities are encouraged to apply.

Pay is competitive and comes with a benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plan, disability and life insurance, public transportation support, travel, and training funds. Employees are also able to attend all training events sponsored by the center free of charge.

To apply for this position, please email a cover letter and resume or CV to humanresources@portlandpsychotherapy.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will also be asked to submit information from three references. The review of applications is ongoing until a hire is made.

Location and Work Setting:

Portland Psychotherapy is based on a social enterprise model that attempts to contribute to the social good in four areas:

  1. Our local community – through providing clinical services (including a reduced fee), psychotherapy training and workshops, supervision of trainees, and support for local therapists
  2. The wider community – through contributing to scientific research and scholarship, dissemination of innovations, and participation in national and international organizations
  3. Employees – providing an excellent place to work with high quality of life for employees
  4. The natural environment – through managing our environmental footprint in sustainable ways that minimize our negative impact on the planet

All profits generated at Portland Psychotherapy are used to fund our local and wider community social good efforts. This includes the clinic’s low fee services and training programs. In addition, these funds are what support all the research our center conducts including dedicated salary support for doctoral researchers, research coordinators, or trainees involved in research. Our funding structure protects Portland Psychotherapy from the vicissitudes of grant funding and allows us to focus on furthering science rather than chasing grants. This also allows our clinicians to operate in a true scientist-practitioner model through opportunities to both contribute to and benefit from research conducted in the center. More information about our unique business model can be found here. A listing of our scientific publications can be found here.

We are a collaborative group of skilled clinicians and researchers who work together to provide the highest quality of care to those we serve and to use our work to contribute to the broader scientific community. We all have a shared commitment to using science to address the problem of human suffering. We are motivated to develop and maintain expertise in what we do and are continually training and educating ourselves to excel in our areas of expertise. We are looking to add additional team members who share this vision. We strongly value cooperation and collaboration among our staff. Portland Psychotherapy is also highly committed to affirming inclusivity and diversity. Our center’s organizational structure allows us to serve clients with and without insurance, as well as those in financial need through sliding scale and low fee services.

Portland is a fantastic city that is often ranked as one of the most livable cities in America. The city has a vibrant and growing community of ACT clinicians and researchers, and Portland Psychotherapy is seen by this community as a leading center for evidence-based therapy, psychedelic science, ACT, training, and research. Our center is housed in a beautifully restored 1889 Victorian home in the vibrant N. Williams corridor area of Portland which provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for clients and staff alike. For more information about the building please see our website.

What Makes Us Unique

Portland Psychotherapy is a clinic, research & training center with a unique business model that funds scientific research. This results in a team of therapists who are exceptionally well-trained and knowledgeable about their areas of specialty.