Family Counselor;

Family Counselor : Are you looking to join a dynamic team focused on providing high quality health care to communities across Brooklyn & Queens? If so, you've come to the right place. For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness. Catholic Charities provides comprehensive care coordination and treatment services to individuals living with serious mental illness, complex medical needs and substance use needs. Our Queens ACT team provides an integrated set of evidence-based treatment, rehabilitation, case management, and support services delivered by a mobile, multidisciplinary mental health treatment team. ACT supports client recovery through a highly individualized approach that provides clients with the tools to obtain and maintain housing, employment, relationships and relief from symptoms and medication side effects. The Family Counselor is part of this multi-disciplinary team and is responsible for delivering intensive in-home and community-based services to individuals living with severe mental illness, whom have a treatment history characterized by frequent use of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency rooms, involvement with the criminal justice system, alcohol / substance abuse, and lack of engagement in traditional outpatient services.RESPONSIBILITIES : The Family Counselor will utilize a person-centered planning process to provide rehabilitation, case management and support services to individuals served by the ACT Team. The Family Counselor will lead the team in integrating family goals and services with the tasks of all team members. This person will provide family education individually and in groups. The Family Counselor will conduct assertive outreach and engagement, use motivational interviewing and recovery and trauma-informed approaches when working with individuals served by the ACT team. Duties of the Family Counselor include, but are not limited to :

• Responsible for providing direct treatment and support services to clients with psychiatric diagnoses, co-occurring substance use, chronic physical health problems and complex social needs. Includes weekly visits to clients.
• Assess and provide direct services to participants in the following areas : health and wellness, housing, income support, education, vocational training, employment and social supports, medication support. Complete the ACT Comprehensive Assessment and lead the assessment of the substance abuse related components of assessment.
• Provide services in developing social connections and strengthening family and other relationships.
• Provide psychoeducational services such as information / education on mental illness diagnoses and treatment to families while facilitating communication skills and problem solving.
• Teach coping skills to families and enlist family support in a client's recovery.
• Complete the ACT Comprehensive Assessment, leading the family and trauma components of the assessment.
• Utilize involvement of family and / or other supports in treatment. Act as an advocate and liaison on behalf of individual receiving services.
• Responsible for integrating family goals with the tasks of all team members.
• Develops wellness interventions, trauma-focused care, family involvement, collateral contact, support with children and families.
• Provide on-site crisis assessment and management of clients during regular work hours, both on-site and over the phone.The Family Counselor is required to utilize technology and various web-based platforms for documenting progress notes and daily work activities. Ability to use equipment such as iPhones, tablets, Surface Pros and easily navigate various technology platforms and reporting systems is a requirement. The role will also require on call coverage and a willingness to be flexible.SPECIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES
• Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with current NYS License preferred.SPECIFICATIONS FOR EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
• At least one year of experience and / or training in family assessment and intervention, psycho-education and / or other family support services, including cognitive-behavioral strategies.
• Experience working in human services with individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), community integrated treatment, support services, and resources.
• Time management, organizational, and computer skills.
• Commitment to person-centered treatment strategies, upholding participants' rights, and self-determination in service provision.
• Eligible for full and unconditional participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs.
• Knowledgeable in understanding various evidence-based models and theories pertaining to psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Understanding of family systems based on diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated team experience.
• Ability to evaluate and intervene in crisis situations & available for crisis consultation.
• Bilingual Spanish / English speaking preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft office applications, including Excel.
• Competency in written, interpersonal, verbal and computational skills to present and document records in accordance with program standards. We offer competitive Salary and excellent benefits including : generous time off, Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement Savings with Agency Match, Transit, life insurance and other additional voluntary benefits. EOE / AA. For more information on our organization, please visit our website at : www.ccbq.org