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 . If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Senior Therapist position to join our dedicated Access team and be a part of a transformative initiative, playing a key role in shaping the future of accessing services in the Department of Community and Human Services.
An OverviewAre you an experienced therapist with a passion for innovation and working with all age groups? We are excited to announce a new initiative to bridge the gap between the Center for Adult Services and Child & Family Behavioral Health programs, fostering a more integrated and holistic approach to accessing behavioral health care. The Same Day Access Senior Therapist will provide clinical intake evaluations for children, families, and adults seeking mental health, substance use disorder and intellectual disability services. Responsibilities involve conducting initial consultations to gather consumer and family needs and strengths, assessing mental health status, conducting clinical multidimensional biopsychosocial assessments, brief psychotherapy and supportive counseling on issues of importance to the individual, and develop comprehensive treatment plans that reflect the identified needs of the individual assessed with clinically appropriate recommendations . The Senior Therapist will work in a collaborative, forward-thinking, and supportive environment. The Access program’s commitment to racial equity is a hallmark in striving to ensure services are responsive to the impact of generational trauma. As part of Alexandria’s Continuum of Care, the Senior Therapist will be pivotal in coordinating closely with youth, families, adults and their natural supports and multi-agency partners in the child welfare, Aging and Adult Services, court/probation, juvenile justice, hospital, and educa tional systems to ensure that integrated services are trauma-informed and prioritize cultural responsiveness, equity, outcome-based work, and collaboration.
What You Should BringThe ideal candidate should have demonstrated education and practice on formulating diagnostic criteria utilizing the DSM-5 TR; Demonstrated experience with evidence-based practices; including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy; Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Experience in conducting comprehensive clinical assessments with children, adolescents, and adults presenting with a wide range of behavioral health problems and concerns including trauma, mental health, and substance use challenges; Utilizing American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) tool to determine intensity of services; Prepare high quality clinical documentation; Provide clinically appropriate treatment and service recommendations that align with their strengths, needs, goals, and preferences; Develop expertise regarding services within Child & Family Behavioral Health and Center for Adult Divisions within DCHS and the community; Skilled in collaborating as part of multi-disciplinary care and interdisciplinary teams, including ability to effect change and resolve recalcitrant problems at the front door of behavioral health services for DCHS.
The Opportunity

• Provides 1040 hours annually of clinical intake evaluations and psychotherapy to youth, families, and adult consumers with mental health and/or substance use disorders and those with intellectual disabilities.
• Conducts evidenced-based, youth/adult-led, and family driven clinical assessments and evaluations and formulates diagnoses and treatment plans for the identified consumer.
• Prepares reports for court proceedings, represents the Department of Community and Human Services, and testifies as an expert witness on behalf of the consumer.
• Provide consultation and ensure close collaboration and coordination with system of care partners, which include peer specialists/counselors, family support partners, child welfare, court/probation, juvenile justice, schools, Court Appointment Special Advocates (CASA), Guardians Ad Litem (GAL), Child Protective Services (CPS), Adult Protective Services (APS), etc.
• Initiates medical, psychiatric, and psychological evaluation and treatment referrals as needed.
• Provides crisis intervention services to youth and adult consumers.
• Provides care coordination services to youth and adult consumers.
• Collect process, output, outcome, and satisfaction data.
• Prepare written reports to referral agencies as needed.
• Maintains clinical records in an Electronic Health Record (Credible) in accordance with State, City, Departmental, and Federal compliance requirements which includes collaborative and same day documentation.
• Follow department policies and procedures, including those related to same day productivity expectations, reimbursement, training and clinical licensure.
• Participates in staff development.
• Performs related work as required.

About The DepartmentThe Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.
Minimum & Additional RequirementsPossession of 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 issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities.
Preferred QualificationsCurrently licensed as an LCSW, LPC or Clinical Psychologist in Virginia at the time of application. At least two years post licensure experience providing psychotherapy and clinical assessments to clients with serious mental health issues and co-occurring substance use disorders.
NotesThis 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, 8:00AM - 5:00PM; one (1) evening a week (Tuesdays).