Upper School Mental Health Counselor

Kingswood Oxford is seeking a passionate, innovative, and collaborative Upper School Mental Health Counselor to join our community. The ideal candidate is a dedicated mental health professional who models a growth mindset and is committed to equity-focused practice.

The Mental Health Counselor promotes and enhances the overall mission of the School by providing services that strengthen home, school, and community partnerships while actively working to alleviate barriers to student learning. By advancing the understanding of child developmentand the profound influences of family, community, and cultural differencesthe Mental Health Counselor contributes to a healthy, safe, inclusive, and caring environment.

• Direct Student Support: Provide short-term counseling and clinical support to Upper School students; run support groups for Upper School students as needed.
• External Liaison: Work as a liaison between outside mental health professionals and the School to ensure optimal student functioning and support, including maintaining an effective referral and follow-up process as needed.
• Adult & Community Consultation: Provide assistance to teachers and parents to improve student wellness; value authentic collaboration with faculty, staff, and administration to improve school climate and promote emotional health and wellness.
• Curriculum & Teaching: Participate in the Upper School Wyverns for Life curriculum by co-teaching in the Form 3 (Freshman Year) Wyvern Wellness program (1 class weekly).
• Team Collaboration: Serve as an active member of the Upper School Wellness Team, working closely with the Director of Wellness, Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging, Upper School Dean of Students, Associate Head of the Middle School, Middle School Mental Health Counselor, and two Learning Specialists.
• Reporting & Administration: Report directly to the Head of Upper School and perform other duties as assigned by the Head of the Upper School.

• Advanced Clinical Degree: Masters degree or higher in Social Work (MSW), Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Clinical Psychology.
• Active Clinical Licensure: An active, valid clinical license from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or licensed Clinical Psychologist) allowing for independent, unsupervised clinical practice.
• Relevant Experience: Minimum of 35 years of post-degree clinical experience, with a strong preference for candidates who have performed clinical counseling within a high school setting (independent or public) or an adolescent outpatient therapeutic setting.
• Clinical Scope: Demonstrated mastery in direct therapeutic intervention, crisis management, risk assessment, and navigating complex family/school systems ethically and legally without direct clinical supervision.
• Deep understanding of adolescent development, systemic oppression, and culturally responsive, equity-focused clinical practice.
• Experience with curriculum development and classroom instruction (specifically related to health, wellness, or advisory programming).

Located in West Hartford, Connecticut, Kingswood Oxford is a coeducational, independent day school for motivated students in grades 6-12. KO actively seeks to attract and welcome a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff, including differences in race, color, religion, nationality or ethnic origin, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. At KO, we believe that a diversity of ideas and perspectives enriches our community and improves our understanding. We continually work to increase equity and access within our learning community and seek candidates who are similarly committed to this work. If you would like to join us in this work, we welcome your application.

More information can be found at

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to ....

Kingswood Oxford School provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, political belief or activity, status as a veteran, or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.