Primary Therapist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder & Social Challenges at BLUME BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LLC – Torrance, California

We are seeking a licensed therapist or psychologist to serve as the primary therapist for our adolescent clients with autism spectrum disorder and social challenges. This is a dedicated specialty role at the center of our programming for this population.

Many of the adolescents in our care present with significant social skill deficits and relational difficulties, including challenges with initiating and maintaining peer relationships, reading and responding to social cues, navigating group dynamics, managing conflict, and coping with experiences of social rejection, isolation, and bullying. These social struggles are often deeply intertwined with co-occurring anxiety, depression, and low self-worth, making targeted social intervention a critical component of their treatment.

As primary therapist, you will carry a dedicated caseload and provide individual therapy, family therapy, and group programming for these clients. You will work within Blume's established clinical leadership structure while bringing specialized expertise that our team will actively lean on to strengthen and refine how we serve this population. This is a collaborative role that you won't be building in a vacuum. You'll have the support of an experienced director team that values your specialization and wants to integrate your clinical perspective into the broader treatment framework.

• Licensed or license-eligible in the state of California as an LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or Psychologist (PhD/PsyD)
• Specialized clinical experience working with adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and significant social challenges across individual, family, and group modalities
• Deep understanding of the social and relational difficulties commonly experienced by teens on the autism spectrum, including difficulty with peer relationships, social communication differences, social anxiety, loneliness, and experiences of exclusion or bullying
• Strong foundation in evidence-based social skills interventions for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental differences
• Familiarity with affirming, strengths-based clinical frameworks that honor neurodevelopmental differences while addressing real functional challenges
• Comfortable bringing your expertise to a collaborative clinical environment and contributing your specialized perspective within a team-oriented leadership structure
• Experience in residential, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient settings is a plus
• Genuine passion for helping teens with autism spectrum disorder build confidence, connection, and the relational skills they need to thrive
• Serve as the primary therapist for adolescent clients with autism spectrum disorder and social challenges, carrying a dedicated caseload and overseeing continuity of care from admission through discharge
• Provide individual therapy targeting social functioning, emotional regulation, self-esteem, identity development, and resilience around experiences of peer rejection, social isolation, and bullying
• Provide family therapy focused on strengthening the family's understanding of their teen's social and communication differences, improving relational dynamics, and equipping caregivers to support and reinforce social skill development beyond treatment
• Facilitate structured therapeutic groups addressing peer entry, conversational skills, friendship development and maintenance, conflict resolution, and real-world social problem-solving
• Collaborate with Blume's clinical leadership team to inform and refine programming, clinical practices, and milieu strategies for clients with autism spectrum disorder and social challenges
• Develop and refine individualized treatment plans that reflect each client's unique social and relational goals alongside their broader mental health needs
• Consult with and educate clinical staff on best practices for supporting clients with autism spectrum disorder within the residential milieu, including strategies for fostering meaningful peer connection in the day-to-day treatment environment
• Participate in clinical team meetings, case consultation, and maintain documentation consistent with residential treatment standards