Location: Dover, Delaware

Delaware Guidance Services (DGS) is expanding the Family Based Mental Health Program and is currently seeking Family Based Mental Health therapists for full-time opportunities in the Kent County and Sussex County.

Salary Range: $42,000, plus program premium of $3,500 annually

Sign-on Bonus Eligible: $2,000

Summary/objective
The Family Based Mental Health Therapist (MHT) serves as one part of a therapist dyad to the children and families participating in the program. They work to provide intensive family, individual and crisis-based interventions to youth and families. The MHT will work together with their co-therapist to provide/coordinate community based mental health treatment and services. The MHT is responsible for developing and implementing systemically based interventions utilizing structural family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior modification, psychoeducation and other researched-based approaches.

Family Based Services is a community-based program that provides all clinical services in the community. Staffs are required to be in the office for weekly group and individual supervision, as well as other meetings or appointments as scheduled. Approximately 80-90% of time is spent in the community. The MHT provides services in the client’s home/environment during “non-traditional hours”, according to the needs and schedules of the families on their caseload. Provide crisis interventions and stabilization 24/7 to the clients/families on their caseload which may include responding by phone and in-person during non-traditional hours. All assessment and treatment activities implemented will conform to family-based regulations and good practice standards.

Essential functions:
Clinical Therapy and Case Management

  • Provide intensive family therapy, individual therapy, other relational therapy (co-caregivers, siblings) and crisis-based interventions to youth and families on a weekly basis
  • Engage primary caregiver(s) and other key participants in active, change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement and attainment of identified goals
  • Engage key participants and relevant systems while identifying systemic strengths and needs within each system to ensure their support and cooperation throughout treatment
  • Complete eco-systemic structural assessment of targeted behaviors/problems within the ecological context.
  • Provide services based on the family’s schedule, including provision of services and crisis intervention by phone and in person, during “non-traditional hours” which may include evenings and weekends if necessary

Team Partnership

  • Work collaboratively with a co-therapist as well as other systems impacting the family (i.e. Family Court, Child Welfare, Educational Systems, other Mental/Behavioral Health Providers, etc.).
  • Utilize team supervision to build a strong partnership with their co-therapist. Work the different stages of “Intentional Teaming.”

Training and Supervision

  • Participate in weekly team and group supervision
  • Participate in training to develop skills required to implement Family-Based program model
  • Actively participate in case consultation utilizing taped therapy session as needed

General Responsibilities

  • Uphold professional standards of treatment and the mission of the organization
  • Maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics and professionalism
  • Provide goal-directed and team-oriented services
  • Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders
  • Achieve level of productivity (service hours) within established range set by the program director.
  • Adhere to professional code of ethics and follow existing federal and state guidelines and laws pertaining to mandated reporting procedures
  • Willingness to work with diverse groups and multi-cultural populations with a degree of respect and professionalism
  • Perform other duties as assigned by their manager.

Clinical Documentation

  • Maintain clear and concise documentation of treatment interventions and case development in accordance with reporting and documentation regulations and agency policies
  • Develop and implement initial and ongoing treatment plans with focus on utilizing strengths and reviewing outcomes regularly using an analytic process
  • Complete all program paperwork to agency standards and submit according to determined time frames
  • Conduct initial and ongoing assessment of the identified youth and family, including review of referral information

Competencies/ Capabilities:

  • Initiative/drive, and self-starter
  • Collaborative Team Member, Strong Interpersonal skills/relationships/teamwork
  • Judgment/decision making/problem solving
  • Adaptability/continuous improvement/flexibility
  • Commitment and willingness to professional growth and development

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Work environment: Client homes, Schools, Community, Office, Partial telecommuting with approval

Physical demands:

  • Prolonged periods of sitting in sessions, ability to drive throughout the day, and ability to working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Travel required: Regular (daily at times) travel within county utilizing agency fleet with occasional transport of clients, milage reimbursement when utilizing personal vehicle

Required education and experience:

  • Master’s Degree from an accredited school, degree must qualify for licensure in the state of Delaware as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), License Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Psychologist
  • Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record
  • Two or more years of experience in mental health or behavior health services

Preferred education and experience:

  • Two or more years of experience in Family therapy or other related experience

EEO: Delaware Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About Delaware Guidance Services

Delaware Guidance Services (DGS) is Delaware’s largest non-residential mental health provider for children and families. With 5 main offices and many community partners, DGS services are accessible from anywhere in the state. DGS aims to provide comprehensive mental health services to all families regardless of insurance, socioeconomic status or ethnicity. With over 200 staff, DGS is focused on growing a knowledgeable workforce that delivers treatment in an ethical and innovative way.

Mission

Delaware Guidance Services exists to provide quality therapeutic services to children, youth, and their families to increase their social, emotional, and behavioral wellness.

Benefits We Offer

DGS offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees, including:

  • Competitive Compensation
  • Incentive Pay for Certain Clinical Staff (Productivity Bonuses)
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Voluntary Employee Elected Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, Cancer)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Life, AD&D, Long Term and Short Term Disability
  • Paid Vacation (3-4 weeks), sick (12 per year) and ALL Major Holidays, as well as Two Floating Holidays
  • 403(b) plan with match (2%) and generous company contribution (6%)
  • Internal Professional Development and Training
  • Clinical Supervision

**Employee contributions are required for some benefits.**

Some DGS locations are approved by the NHSC (National Health Service Corps) for the Federal Loan Repayment program. Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is also available.

EOE