Senior Therapist

School-based Licensed Mental Health Professional

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Senior Therapist position.

An Overview

The Senior Therapist will partner with high needs youth and their families in an array of behavioral health services that are designed to help children live and thrive in their homes and communities. As part of Alexandria’s System of Care, coordinate closely with youth, families, their natural supports and colleagues in child welfare, juvenile justice, and education to ensure that integrated services are trauma informed and prioritize family and youth voice and choice, cultural influences and equity, outcome-based work, and collaboration. The Senior Therapist is committed to racial equity and strives to ensure services are responsive to the impact of generational trauma. Services are primarily provided in a secondary school, as well as in homes, a community mental health center and virtually. Tasks are performed in accordance with established policies and procedures.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have excellent knowledge of diagnosis, assessment and evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents who experience trauma, mental health and substance abuse challenges. Excellent knowledge of family treatment strategies. Ability to conduct behavioral health assessments, treatment planning, individual, group and family therapy. Ability to work successfully with youth and their families, assisting in development of their strengths and abiding by their goals and preferences. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, in a clear concise manner, with other professionals and with the general public. Ability to collaborate with host partners and treatment team members.

The Opportunity

• Engage youth and families in evidence-based youth-led and family driven clinical assessment; individual, group and family therapy and early intervention; care coordination; and crisis intervention;
• Develop and monitor treatment plans with youth and their families based on their strengths, needs, preferences, and goals;
• Participate in multi-disciplinary workgroups, treatment planning meetings, court hearings, and relevant training, conferences and workshops;
• Consultation, collaboration and close coordination with health clinic and other system of care stakeholders, i.e., family support partners, child welfare, juvenile justice, schools, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Guardians Ad Litem, etc.;
• Provide presentations and early intervention programming on behavioral health topics related to school-age youth and their families;
• Supervise graduate level interns or externs;
• Collect outcome, research and satisfaction data with persons served;
• Prepare a variety of written reports including case notes, treatment plans, quarterly updates, clinical/mental health evaluations, status reports and reports to referral agencies;
• Maintain medical records in accordance with accreditation body, Department policies, licensing and Medicaid regulations;
• Follow department policies and procedures, including those related to productivity expectations, client payment issues, training and clinical licensure;
• Perform all other relevant duties as assigned.

About the Department

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field; at least two years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to consumers having one or more substance abuse, psychiatric, and emotional disorders; and licensure or license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

Licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; Fluent and bilingual in both English and Spanish; Certification or training in TF-CBT and/or EMDR; Three years of post-master’s experience engaging adolescents and their families in trauma-informed evidence-based behavioral health treatment services; Three years of experience providing family therapy; One year experience providing behavioral health services in a school setting; At least one year of experience with electronic medical records.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Verification of education/certifications; and Driver's license.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, some evenings required.