Embedded Staff Therapist
University Counseling Service (UCS) is seeking candidates for the position of Embedded Staff Therapist at the College of Dentistry. This University Counseling Service (UCS) embedded position will primarily support the College of Dentistry and is responsible for delivering comprehensive psychological services to a broad and varied student population. The clinician in this role will help students achieve their academic, interpersonal, and professional goals through a wide range of services, including individual assessment and counseling; clinical crisis intervention and risk management; case management and care coordination; group counseling services; psychoeducational outreach and programming; consultation with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents/families; and supervision and training of graduate students in mental health–related fields. This position is expected to uphold and contribute to the mission and values of the Division of Student Life, promoting a supportive and student‑focused environment.
Specific Job Duties & Tasks
Carries a clinical case load providing counseling to individuals and groups within the College of Dentistry consulting with other professionals as necessary.
Provides diagnoses, assessment, and treatment for emotional and functional disorders through primarily brief model counseling.
Supervises, evaluates, and assists trainees in various content areas.
Conducts workshops and outreach services designed to provide mental health education to students, staff, faculty, administrators, and parents/families on behalf of UCS.
Develops cooperative working relationships with selected UI units.
Designs and develops outreach programs to meet the needs of requesting UI units.
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.
Required Qualifications
License must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
Education Requirement:
Doctoral degree in either counseling or clinical psychology from an APA- accredited program, or
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.
Other Required Qualifications:
Psychologist: Possession of a valid State of Iowa license as a psychologist
Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor: Possession of a valid State of Iowa license as an LISW, or LMHC.
Relevant post-degree clinical work experience (typically 1-3 years).
Extensive knowledge of evidence and theory based mental health counseling in assessment, crisis, individual, case management, and group.
Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of evidence‑based and theory‑driven mental health counseling practices—including assessment, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, trauma-informed care, and case management—and exceptional ability to assess, oversee, and ensure the delivery of high‑quality mental health, trauma, and crisis management services.
Extensive proficiency in planning and delivering psycho-educational outreach programs and consultation services.
Working knowledge of providing training and supervision to trainees.
Expert 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.
Ability to foster a welcoming and respectful workplace environment while recognizing personal differences. Ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and respectful manner while appreciating the importance of a workforce that benefits from the talents of all people across multiple characteristics.
Working proficiency with office and tele-mental health support tools and electronic medical records software (e.g., word processing, email, presentation software and spreadsheets, electronic health records); preferably Microsoft Office, Titanium, and Zoom.
Desirable Qualifications
Three to five years of relevant post-degree clinical work experience.
Working proficiency with drop-in mental health consultation services, such as Let’s Talk programming.
Working proficiency in suicide prevention outreach and programming.
Experience and interest in providing couples/relationship counseling.
Working proficiency with TLDP, ACT, and Relational Cultural theories.
Interest and/or experience in counseling center research.
Working proficiency and interest in providing brief psychoeducational group interventions.
Working proficiency with clinical assessment.
Previous mental health experience working on a college or university campus.
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
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.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
