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Mental Health Therapist in Selective Mutism

Children's Wisconsin · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you worked with a very anxious child. How did you build trust?

What they are checking: Whether they can create safety and connection with children who feel afraid.

How does your work support increasing access and reducing stigma in mental health care?

What they are checking: Whether they connect their work to the broader strategy described in the posting.

Why are you interested in specializing in selective mutism?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real interest in this niche area and are likely to stay and grow in it.

What would you do

A parent wants their child to talk at school right away. How do you set expectations?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain gradual progress kindly and keep families engaged in treatment.

A child makes progress, then suddenly stops speaking again. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle setbacks calmly and adjust treatment without blaming the child.

About the work

How would you assess a child who may have selective mutism and will not speak to you?

What they are checking: Whether they can use parent reports, observation and nonverbal methods to assess a child who does not talk.

What treatment approaches do you use for selective mutism, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they know evidence-based methods like exposure and behavioral techniques for this condition.

How do you involve parents and teachers in treating selective mutism?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that progress depends on support at home and at school.

How do you lead a group session for children with selective mutism?

What they are checking: Whether they can run group therapy, which the posting includes, for children who struggle to speak.

How would you tell selective mutism apart from autism, language delay, or shyness?

What they are checking: Whether they understand differential diagnosis and when to refer for more testing.

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The full job description

As published by Children's Wisconsin.

At Children’s Wisconsin, we believe kids deserve the best. Children’s Wisconsin is a nationally recognized health system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We provide primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. Our reputation draws patients and families from around the country. We offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and are seeking individuals dedicated to helping us achieve our vision of the healthiest kids in the country. If you want to work for an organization that makes a difference for children and families, and encourages you to be at your best every day, please apply today. Please follow this link for a closer look at what it’s like to work at Children’s Wisconsin: https://www.instagram.com/lifeatcw/ ^^This position is located at our Center for Child Development Wauwatosa, WI and is focused on working with those who have selective mutism.** The Mental Health Therapist is critical to the success of the Children’s Wisconsin’s Mental and Behavioral Health strategy by increasing Access , reducing Stigma , engaging in Early Detection, Prevention and Education . Provides individual, group, and family therapy to children and their families in an outpatient clinic setting, using evidence based/informed, trauma informed, and inclusive practices. Actively engages the child, their family, and caregivers in treatment and recovery planning. Provides consultation, education, and outreach to colleagues, trainees, and community. Participates in activities and initiatives related to the MBH strategy. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Assesses, diagnoses and treats children, adults and families with mental health/emotional challenges. • Develops and facilitates active, timely treatment plans with appropriate SMART goal setting and parent/child engagement, aimed at improving the client’s psychosocial, psychological and emotional functioning. • Maintains case files with complete, accurate, and timely documentation. • Develops and nurtures partnerships and collaborative working relationships with referral sources, hospital system staff, and community organizations. • Communicates and closely partners with each client’s established care team including parents/caregivers, school personnel, health care providers, and other identified individuals/teams. • Provides case consultation/review, and professional development with colleagues. • Collects and provides data for reports, donors, and funding sources and participates in other program specific projects and activities as requested. • Attends staff meetings and other organizational, committee, and community meetings as required. • Participates in community engagement and other activities that support Children’s mission and MBH strategy such as media events or interviews, trainings or conference presentations, United Way or other funder functions, committees, workgroups/ coalitions, quality improvement work, Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity engagement, and/or other approved activities. • May supervise training of graduate students/Interns. MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: • Master’s Degree in Social Work or related field, plus 3000 hours post Master’s experience or PhD or PsyD from an APA accredited program. • Must have and maintain current licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Professional Counselor (LPC) from the State of Wisconsin and satisfy continuing education requirements. • Preferred experience working with children and families, diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and trauma. • Demonstrated ability to provide quality individual, group and family therapy using Evidence-Based Practices. • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with caregivers, colleagues, medical staff, and community partners. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Experience working with Electronic Health Record preferred. Please note that this position will not consider Therapists in Training. In addition to the job description above, the individual in this role will: • Undertake training in family-based treatments (PCIT-SM) and participate in consultation as needed to implement treatments. • Learn about additional evidence-based treatments for anxiety. • Provide longer-term therapy and participate in provision of therapy groups for patients with Selective Mutism. We are seeking someone who is interested in working primarily with children who present with selective mutism. No previous experience in working with this population is required. This position is full-time, M-F, first shift hours. The role is located at our Center for Child Development which is at 1250 N. 113th St. Wauwatosa, WI 53226. Children's Wisconsin is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness. We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by the law. Certifications/Licenses: + one of the following: - N/A, License LPC-Professional Counselor (125) - State of Wisconsin, License MFT-Marriage Family Therapy (124) - State of Wisconsin, License Social Worker Advance Practice (121) - State of Wisconsin, License Social Worker Clinical (123) - State of Wisconsin

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