Mental Health Therapist (Lcsw Or Mft)

Summary:

Under general professional and administrative guidance and supervision and with latitude for independent professional judgment, the Therapistfunctions as the lead clinician for a designated caseload of no more than six adolescent females and their family or caregivers. The Therapist works closely with the team to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate the provision of all services, in accordance with the adolescent’s care plan and is responsible for oversight of the therapeutic milieu and coordination and supervision of the counselors. The Therapist assures the development and implementation of the strength-based process and compliance with the program’s core values and principles.

Qualifications:

· Graduate degree in social work, counseling or a related field is required.

· Specialized education and/or training in both substance abuse and Mental Health disorders is required.

· Educational focus on the delivery of clinical services to children and families is required.

· LCSW or MFT license through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences is preferred, ASW, AMFT, APCC (internship status) is required.

· Certificate or completion of an alcohol/drug studies program from an accredited college or university is preferred. Applicants who lack certification must have twice the experience to qualify for this position.

· A minimum of two (2) to three (3) years satisfactory employment in clinical counseling or an addiction recovery setting is required; Two (2) to three (3) year’s satisfactory employment in alcohol/drug recovery counseling is required for applicant’s who lack certification in alcohol/drug counseling from an accredited college.

· A minimum of two (2) year’s clinical experience with children and their families is required.

· Clinical experience in the provision of residential milieu services in a residential treatment center or group home is preferred.

· Documented experience in meeting the needs of youth with multidimensional needs is desirable.

· Thorough knowledge of behavioral health problems as they impact on adolescents and appropriate interventions and counseling techniques for such; including but not limited to: the ability to recognize the early signs and symptoms of illness; the ability to promote the need for professional assistance; and the ability to recognize individuals who are under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs.

· Knowledge of State and county guidelines as applied to group homes services and Short Term Residential Treatment Programs (STRTP).

· Ability to engage, motivate, and counsel youth and their families in a variety of modalities and settings, including individual, group, and family.

· Ability to facilitate peer recovery, 12-Step-oriented, and support groups and classes in an age-appropriate manner.

· Ability to coordinate services within an interdisciplinary team basis.

· Ability to assess strengths and needs.

· Ability to practice trauma-informed care.

· Demonstrate and document progress and complications in client’s treatment process as required by State, County and organizational policies.

· Knowledge and ability to implement core values, including: family centered, strengths-based, consumer and needs driven, individualized, culturally relevant, unconditional, community and team based, accountable, accessible, outcome based, cost-effective, flexible, promoting self sufficiency, comprehensive, and collaborative.

· Knowledge of Continuum of Care Reform and RCL 10-14 placements and placement alternatives.

· Ability to administer the GAIN, CANS, SASSI, ASI-Adolescent, and the CAFAS.

· Knowledge and training in evidence-based practices, including MET, ICT, Seven Challenges®, and/or Seeking Safety is required as necessary and appropriate.

· Considerable knowledge of community referral resources and the ability to use them appropriately. Ability to liaison with judicial system, social service, Mental Health, and other agencies and providers as required by the needs of youth and their families.

· Ability to maintain accountability and meet deadlines and follow-through on tasks.

· Exemplary critical reasoning and decision-making capabilities, particularly in crisis or demanding situations.

· Good written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to coordinate the work in an interdisciplinary team setting.

· Fluency in both English and Spanish (bi-lingual) is preferred but not required.