Careers

Uncover Your Future with Mala – Explore Our Open Roles at our farmington hills, plymouth, or ann arbor locations

Why Work at Mala?

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At Mala Child and Family Institute, we believe in the power of connection, community, and healing. Our mission is to end intergenerational cycles of trauma, and we’re passionate about providing trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally sensitive care to all ages. We foster an environment where professionals thrive, grow, and make a real impact. Join either our Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, or Plymouth clinics and feel the power of our community.

Mala is an equal employment opportunity employer.

  • When you work at Mala, you're not just part of a clinic—you're part of a collaborative team that includes psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, counselors, art therapists, and psychiatric providers. This truly integrative model means you’ll have the opportunity to work side by side with experts across multiple fields, providing holistic care that addresses the whole person, not just the symptoms.

  • Our culture is built on the principles of empathy, integrity, and excellence. We prioritize creating a supportive environment where staff feel valued, heard, and empowered to deliver the highest caliber of care. We believe that in order to care for others, our team must first be well cared for. That’s why we invest in your professional and personal well-being, fostering an atmosphere of balance, mutual respect, and continuous learning.

  • At Mala, we are committed to your growth as a clinician. Whether you're early in your career or looking to expand your skills, we offer rich training opportunities in trauma-informed care, neurodiversity, family systems, DBT, child-centered play therapy, and more. Our commitment to training extends beyond the classroom—here, you’ll experience hands-on learning, mentorship, and the ability to shadow professionals across different specialties (occupational therapy, psychiatry, art therapy, psychology, psychotherapy, school advocacy).

  • As we continue to expand, we are focused on innovation and excellence in mental health care. By joining us, you will be at the forefront of creating lasting change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Your contributions will not only impact those we serve today but will shape the future of mental health care for generations to come.

  • We don’t just support our clients—we support each other. Our team is a community that thrives on collaboration, open communication, and shared goals. We encourage professional development and provide access to cutting-edge resources, supervision, and training programs designed to keep you at the top of your field. We are invested in your journey and believe that when you grow, we grow together.

  • At Mala, we cultivate a workplace at all three clinics (Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, or Plymouth) where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of belonging. We understand that every team member brings unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences that enhance the evaluation, psychotherapy, OT, and psychiatry care we provide. You’ll find an inclusive environment that values authenticity, where you can show up as your true self.

  • Choosing to work at Mala means choosing to be part of a mission-driven institute that is making a real difference in the world. Our commitment to ending cycles of trauma is deep, and we are looking for professionals who share that vision. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact and want to be part of a dynamic, compassionate team, Mala Child and Family Institute is the place for you.

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Mala

At Mala, DEI is a way of being.

We believe that healing can only happen in spaces where people feel safe, affirmed, and fully seen. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) department helps ensure that our values are woven into every part of our organization, from how we show up for clients, to how we care for our staff, to how we design our training programs.

Led by Antoinette Ulmer, a clinical social worker and advocate with lived experience navigating systems not built for them, our DEI department is committed to truth-telling, ongoing education, and culture-shifting, within our walls and beyond.

Learn more about DEI at Mala

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF OF OPERATIONS - RYLEIGH STRONG, MSW

At Mala, we believe operations are about the people within the systems. Here’s what guides our work behind the scenes:

Systems Should Uplift, Not Create Barriers: Our operations and HR work is grounded in the belief that every logistical decision is an opportunity to affirm human dignity. We are committed to designing systems that reflect our values of equity, care, and accessibility. Behind every form, policy, and process is a person trying to show up for themselves, their families, or their community, and we’re here to make that easier, not harder.

We Live Our Values From the Inside Out: We’re not just here to make things run. We’re here to ensure that how things run aligns with what we stand for. We believe in creating a workplace where staff feel supported, seen, and empowered to grow. As a team led by individuals who know what it’s like to navigate systems that weren’t built for them, we’re passionate about reimagining what leadership, inclusion, and care can look like at every level of the organization.

Our Open Roles

  • Full-Time and Part-Time | In-Person | Farmington Hills Office

    We are seeking passionate and collaborative psychotherapists to join our multidisciplinary team. This role is ideal for a clinician who is committed to helping children, teens, adults, and families heal and thrive through trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally responsive care.

    Our ideal candidate is grounded in evidence-based practice and values relational depth, self-reflection, and ongoing learning. They are skilled in working with clients across the lifespan, especially those navigating anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, trauma, family stress, and life transitions.

    Key Responsibilities:

    • Provide individual, family, and/or couples therapy to children, adolescents, and adults

    • Develop treatment plans through a strengths-based and collaborative approach

    • Participate in multidisciplinary case consultations with psychologists, occupational therapists, and psychiatric providers

    • Maintain timely and professional documentation within our EHR

    • Engage in ongoing supervision or consultation to support growth and quality of care

    • Collaborate with caregivers, schools, and community partners to support holistic well-being

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Master’s or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or Marriage & Family Therapy.

    • Fully licensed or limited licensed in the State of Michigan (LLP, TLLP, LLMSW, LMSW, LLPC, LPC)

    • Experience or strong interest in trauma, neurodiversity, and family systems work

    • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

    • Commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and values-driven care

  • Full-Time | 30–40 Hours per Week | Hybrid

    Mala Child & Family Institute is seeking a dedicated and experienced clinician to serve as Co-Director of our growing Assessment Department. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming psychological assessment within a multidisciplinary team.

    The ideal candidate is research-reliable in both the ADOS and ADI-R and has a passion for collaborative care, mentorship, and culturally sensitive evaluations.

    Key Responsibilities:

    • Conduct psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and/or adults, with a focus on neurodevelopmental, trauma-related, and complex presentations

    • Co-lead department growth initiatives and collaborate with leadership on program development

    • Provide supervision, training, and mentorship to trainees and team members after a period of acclimation

    • Participate in multidisciplinary case consultations and quality assurance efforts

    • Contribute to a positive and supportive clinic culture rooted in our core values

    Mandatory Requirements:

    • Research reliability in both ADOS and ADI-R

    • Licensed (or license-eligible) psychologist in the state of Michigan

    • Experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments

    • Commitment to trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally responsive care

    This is a full-time position (30–40 hours/week), with flexibility in scheduling and opportunities for hybrid work.

  • Full-Time | Hybrid

    Mala Child & Family Institute is seeking an experienced and passionate Marriage and Family Therapist to lead our MFT training program while also providing direct clinical care and supervision. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned clinician to shape the next generation of relational therapists while working in a mission-driven, multidisciplinary setting.

    The ideal candidate is a skilled supervisor and systems thinker who is deeply committed to trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and neurodiversity-affirming care. You will help oversee our MFT trainees, supervise, and carry a caseload of your own.

    Key Responsibilities:

    • Oversee the Marriage and Family Therapy training program, including curriculum development, evaluations, and student support

    • Provide clinical supervision to MFT trainees and post-graduate fellows

    • Carry a caseload of individuals, couples, and families

    • Collaborate with leadership and other training directors to ensure alignment across disciplines

    • Participate in case consultations, program development, and community outreach efforts

    • Foster a learning environment that is inclusive, ethical, and grounded in best practices

    Required Qualifications:

    • Fully licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Michigan

    • Approved MFT Supervisor (or eligible within 6 months)

    • Minimum of 3 years of post-licensure clinical experience

    • Demonstrated experience in training or supervising MFT students

    • Strong understanding of family systems, trauma, and relational therapies

    • Commitment to equity, inclusion, and values-driven leadership

    This is a full-time role with flexible hours and hybrid options.

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How to Apply to Work at Mala

STEP 1: Spend time learning about our story, philosophy, programs, services, and our team.

STEP 2: Click on the link below to submit your resume, a letter of recommendation, and a cover letter explaining why you want to work at our organization.

STEP 3: We will reach out to you to schedule an interview if you seem to be a good candidate.

STEP 4: We will contact three of your references.

STEP 5: If we offer you the position, we offer you a chance to meet with one of our staff confidentially to ask any questions you may have to learn about their experiences being part of the Mala team.

QUESTIONS? Please email admin@malafamily.org.

apply here

Our Core Values

  • We believe that healing starts with a sense of safety through connection with

    others, connection with ourselves, and connection to our world. We treat our team members, clients, and

    partners with mutual respect, compassion, and sensitivity.

  • We believe in staying true to who we are and seeking validation internally rather than working on being perfect and seeking a sense of worth externally.

  • We believe that everyone, regardless of their gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origins, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socio-economic difference, appearance, language and accent, disability, mental health, education, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role and function, thinking style, and personality type should be included and feel safe, treated equally, respectfully, fairly, and compassionately, and valued for who it is they fully and authentically are.

  • We believe in providing high quality and individualized care that integrates the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.

  • We are one organization, one team. We are committed to a teamwork environment where every person is a valued member, treated with respect, encouraged to contribute, and recognized and rewarded for their efforts.

  • We believe in accepting our responsibilities, meeting our commitments, and acting with honesty and integrity. We believe in being open to feedback and using it to grow to provide better care and service.

  • We believe that growth should be rooted, intentional, and transparent. We value slow and steady progress, change that is thoughtful, predictable, and organized. We recognize that trauma-informed care doesn’t just happen in the therapy room, but in how we evolve as a team and organization. We value communicating changes clearly, honor the nervous system’s need for safety and stability, and prioritize clarity over urgency. We believe the best systems are the ones that people can trust, grow within, and count on.

  • We believe that as mental health and occupational therapy providers, we not only have a responsibility to but are also worthy of doing our own inner work. We believe that this happens by valuing and staying committed to learning about who it is that we authentically are, what behaviors we are engaging in that are no longer serving us, and how we can continue to grow. We believe that healing and emotional growth are lifelong journeys, done within safe and nurturing connections, spaces, and processes that bring us closer to loving ourselves and others with compassion and openness.

Two-story blue house with white porch railing and columns, American flag on porch, front steps, flower bed with white flowers, and detached garage in the driveway, under a clear blue sky.