Contingent (Substitute) Group Therapist

Personalized Nursing LIGHT House is a behavioral healthcare provider with more than 35 years of experience serving adults in substance use disorder treatment. Our mission is to be an innovative and effective behavioral healthcare corporation, utilizing the LIGHT Model of care, that strives for excellence clinically as well as administratively.

PNLH is seeking qualified candidates for a Contingent (Substitute) Group Therapist position to support our substance use disorder treatment programs across Southeast Michigan. This position may cover Group Therapy sessions at our Canton, Plymouth or Madison Heights locations.

PNLH prefers candidates with training or experience in trauma-informed care. PNLH takes affirmative efforts to hire individuals with disabilities, including individuals in recovery.

• Available schedules
• Variable (not guaranteed) hours covering planned staff vacations as well as potential same-day coverage for call-offs
• Openings are available for both daytime programming (8am-5pm) and our evening program. (3pm-11pm)

Position Summary

The Group Therapist facilitates therapeutic group sessions that support recovery, emotional wellness, and personal growth for adults receiving substance use disorder treatment. This role helps create a safe and structured environment where clients can build coping skills, improve insight, strengthen peer connections, and move forward in recovery.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate therapeutic group sessions in a safe, respectful, and structured environment.
• Assess client needs and participation levels and adjust group content as clinically appropriate.
• Encourage engagement, manage group dynamics, and promote healthy interpersonal interactions.
• Develop and implement group topics, therapeutic activities, and psychoeducational content aligned with treatment goals.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of group services and client progress.
• Collaborate with the treatment team to support continuity of care and client progress.
• Support a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented treatment environment.
• Travel between PNLH locations and provide coverage as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Required qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field required.
• Master’s level licensure required if applicable to the position.
• CADC, CADC-DP, CADDC, or MCBAP Development Plan required. PNLH will assist with coordination of the MCBAP Development Plan or certification process.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and group facilitation skills.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Willingness to learn internal systems and documentation processes.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel between PNLH locations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience in substance use disorder counseling preferred.
• Experience facilitating group therapy in a behavioral health or substance use disorder setting preferred.
• Training or experience in trauma-informed care preferred.
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices and therapeutic group interventions preferred.
• Experience working with diverse adult populations preferred.

Variable (not guaranteed) hours covering planned staff vacations as well as potential same-day coverage for call-offs