Mental Health Counselor- Residential Program

Position Summary

The Child and Family Services Residential Program offers a supportive environment for up to 40 children across three specialized programs. Focused on healing and growth, our dedicated staff provides treatment in small-group settings, helping children and families overcome obstacles and address traumatic experiences that have impacted their ability to live at home. Through comprehensive care, treatment, and supervision, we equip children and families with the skills needed for a successful transition, either back to their home or to an alternative living arrangement.

The Mental Health Therapist is responsible for the assessment and delivery of quality mental health care to the youth and families served in Children’s Residential Program. The Mental Health Therapist works as a member of an inter-disciplinary team to develop, assess, and modify the individual service plan. The person in this position will provide both individual and family within a variety of settings (including community, home, school, residential, etc.). The Mental Health Therapist recognizes the need for, and provides, team mentoring and clinical guidance.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Demonstrate ability to diagnose and treat children/youth and families
• Provide individual and family therapy, with the potential for group therapy, if necessary, within a variety of settings (including community, home, school, residential, etc).
• Depending on level of experience, provide clinical consultation and training to staff.
• Act as the primary contact for the service plan with the ability to communicate clearly at all levels, both verbally and in writing.

• Integrate information from a variety of sources to complete assessments, identify service needs, and complete treatment plan.
• Utilize a variety of treatment interventions including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Therapy.
• Maintain case records and other required paperwork in accordance with agency standards and oversight regulations.
• Participation in weekly treatment team meetings to collaborate with the team to best meet the needs of the youth we are serving
• Engage families in the treatment process.
• Provide clinical leadership for treatment team by promoting the integration of trauma informed care, collaborative problem solving, and therapeutic crisis intervention principles.
• Participates and contributes to program Quality Improvement process.
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures.
• While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Competitive Pay Rate of $60,500- $65,000 per year based on experience.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, or Mental Health Counseling with a valid NYS Professional license.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant clinical experience working with youth and families with mental health challenges.

Special Requirements

• Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.
• CPR or equivalent certification required to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• TCI Certification required to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Specialized training/expertise in trauma informed care.
• Must complete all onboarding requirements

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The physical requirements described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends

• The following daily physical demands are required:
• • Sitting (up to 6 hours)
  • Occasional standing (up to 2 hour)
  • Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Driving (several times a week up to 12 hours)
  • Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Lifting up to 25 lbs.
  • Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.)
  • Ability to change positions as needed

Special Considerations

Our goal is to maintain a restraint free environment. However, there may be times that staff may be required to physically restrain clients weighing between 50 lbs. and 200 lbs. and guide them safely to the floor. In some circumstances, restraints can last up to 15 minutes and may require repetition as necessary.

Diversity Statement

Within our agency and in the communities that we serve, C FS is committed to diversity and inclusion with race equity at the center. Every day we work to promote safety, health, and wellness. We will not stop until Black, indigenous and people of color are free from racism and experience peace, prosperity and well-being.

Child and Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Child and Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child and Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)