Job Description
Join GAAMHA as a Green Care Clinician (GCC) Do you believe in the healing potential of nature, the power of human-animal connection, and the impact of creative therapeutic expression? At GAAMHA, a mission-driven nonprofit, we are committed to ensuring everyone has access to compassionate and innovative care. Through our R.O.O.T.S. program (Resilient ~ Optimistic ~ Open-Minded ~ Thriving ~ Serene), we combine evidence-based therapy with the natural world to support children, adolescents and young adults as they build resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Why Join GAAMHA? At GAAMHA, you're not just taking on a job-you're embracing a calling. We are dedicated to uplifting individuals and communities by providing support that truly changes lives. Joining our team means becoming part of a compassionate, purpose-driven organization that values dignity, innovation, and connection.
Your Role: Cultivating Strength and Resilience As a Green Care Clinician (GCC), you will create supportive, empowering experiences for youth and young adults ages 8-24, helping them explore their strengths, build resilience, and engage meaningfully with therapeutic activities in a trauma-informed, person-centered environment. At Evergreen Grove, a livestock rescue and therapeutic farm in Gardner, MA, you will integrate Green Care modalities-including the therapeutic power of art, nature, and human-animal connection-into evidence-based interventions that foster empowerment, resilience, and well-being.
You'll partner with participants navigating mental health and substance use challenges, guiding them to develop confidence, emotional regulation, and a renewed sense of possibility.
Your impact will be seen in: Strength-Based Clinical Growth: Using standardized assessments (e.g., Child Behavior Checklist, Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children), you'll support measurable improvements in mental health, trauma recovery, and adaptive coping skills.
Resilient Families: Your work will promote family strengths, housing stability, and positive parent-child connections, helping families build trust and thrive together.
Empowered Voices: By centering feedback from participants and caregivers, you ensure trauma-informed, participant-driven care that honors choice, dignity, and self-determination.
What You'll Achieve Change Lives Through Connection: Partner with animals and integrate evidence-based therapy to help children, youth and young adults ages 8-24 build resilience, confidence, and a renewed sense of possibility.
Innovate With Nature: Use care-farming techniques, outdoor experiences, and creative modalities to reimagine traditional therapy in a natural, healing environment.
Foster Compassionate, Ethical Care: Prioritize the well-being of both participants and animals, ensuring every interaction is safe, respectful, and mutually beneficial.
Empower Personal Growth: Develop individualized treatment plans, offer counseling and case management, and champion each participant's goals, strengths, and progress.
Lead With Excellence: Maintain accurate timely documentation, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and uphold the highest professional and ethical standards.
Amplify Our Mission: Represent GAAMHA with authenticity and heart, actively promoting a culture of dignity, connection, and hope.
What Sets You Apart Education & Credentials: Bachelor's degree in mental health counseling, family therapy, marriage and family therapy, or a related field; preference given to candidates with an active license or certification (CADC/LADC, LMHC, LSW, LICSW, LMFT, etc.).
Experience With Youth: At least one year of experience supporting children, adolescents, or young adults ages 8-24 navigating substance use or mental health challenges.
Commitment to Inclusive Recovery: A belief in and advocacy for multiple pathways to recovery-including MAT/MOUD-as valid, effective, and deeply personal.
Comfort With Animals & Nature: Experience with Animal-Assisted Services, Equine Therapy, or working with livestock is strongly preferred.
Relationship-Driven Skills: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, paired with cultural humility and the ability to meet each participant and family where they are.
Professional Readiness: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, adherence to HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality standards, meet suitability standards for required background checks (CORI, DCF, etc) and a valid driver's license.
Lived Experience Valued: Candidates with lived experience in recovery (minimum of two years of continuous sobriety) are encouraged and welcomed to apply. Employees who self-identify as being in recovery are expected to maintain their sobriety while employed, in order to serve as a positive role model and uphold the integrity of the program.
What You Can Expect Make a Lasting Difference: Bring your altruistic spirit to a nonprofit mission where your efforts create meaningful, tangible change in the lives of youth and families.
Direct Impact on Youth & Community: Play a pivotal role in supporting youth ages 8-24 navigating challenges, helping them build resilience, well-being, and stronger family connections.
Collaborative Supportive Team: Join a community of passionate, like-minded professionals dedicated to innovation, compassionate care, and measurable outcomes.
Growth & Fulfillment: Engage in work that is both challenging and deeply rewarding, offering opportunities to expand your skills while witnessing real transformation.
Who You'll Support You will work directly with youth and young adults ages 8-24 participating in the R.O.O.T.S. program, under the guidance of the R.O.O.T.S. Program Director and Clinical Supervisor. Your support will help participants build resilience, explore their strengths, and achieve personal growth through evidence-based therapy, nature-based experiences, and human-animal connections.
How to Apply If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and help children and young adults thrive, we invite you to join GAAMHA. Be part of a team that is redefining care by using nature, human-animal connection, and compassion as powerful tools for healing and growth.
Apply today and contribute to our mission of uplifting individuals, families, and communities through innovative, nonprofit care.
Schedule: Flexible, typically Tuesday through Saturday, or as arranged to meet program needs.
Job Tags
Work at office, Flexible hours,