Therapist (Safe Way Forward)

Safe Way Forward (1160 Southern Boulevard)

$64,350 - $65,000

*Sign-On Bonus Eligible*

Position Summary:  The Therapist will provide comprehensive trauma-informed individual and group counseling services to survivors of IPV, the PCH, and children exposed to IPV.   The Therapist will help survivors to relinquish self-blame, increase safety for themselves and their children, and begin to heal from the trauma of abuse, while simultaneously holding the PCH accountable for the harm they caused the family while encouraging and supporting their behavior change.  The Therapist will report to a Program Supervisor.

Essential Duties:

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Provide trauma-informed individual educational counseling/therapy mirroring the program’s 26-week accountability group for persons causing harm.
• Conduct joint home visit with SWF team Case Planner on all assigned cases.
• Conduct comprehensive differential assessment, including the ACS Domestic Violence Screening Tool, and complete service plan for family members affected by IPV.
• Provide trauma-informed, client-centered individual and family short-term counseling and long-term therapy to survivors of IPV and their children; Approximately 15-18 cases.
• Co-facilitate a 14-week trauma-informed psychoeducational and evidence-informed group designed for mothers who are survivors of IPV, and a 14-week evidence-based group for children (ages 4-12) exposed to IPV.
• Co-facilitate a 26-week trauma-informed accountability group designed for fathers who have used abuse in their intimate partner relationship and caused harm to their children.
• Attend and successfully complete all required trainings.
• Become trained in and implement TF-CBT.
• Maintain compliance with timely reporting and detailed tracking of services provided to clients; responsible for CONNX and PROMIS system updates and all other Accountability and compliance requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive case files and all relevant information for internal and external review and audit purposes.
• Coordinate and collaborate on assigned cases with SWF team Case Planner to ensure clients are receiving services that meet their needs and that safety is prioritized.
• Contribute to the FASP for all families on your caseload.
• Participate in individual and group supervision as schedule; in team and all-staff meetings; and other professional development activities, including training and workshops.
• Participate in Family Team Conferences and Service Termination Conferences of all client cases on caseload.
• Perform administrative and program support functions as needed.
• Reports to clinical supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling Psychology, or equivalent degree required with licensure or on track for licensure; LCSW preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English REQUIRED.
• Bilingual in French/French Creole preferred.
• Minimum of 1-2 years’ work experience providing trauma-informed domestic violence prevention and intervention services to underserved families.
• Experience working with adults who have caused harm in their relationships; and/or experience working with abuse/batterer intervention programming (BIP).

Key Competencies:

• Training and experience working with NYC ACS child welfare involved families preferred.
• Knowledge of child development and trauma-informed practice as well as family systems, relational and attachment theories and framework preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to function independently and work on a team.
• Ability to work flexible hours on weekdays, work 1 -3 evenings/week, and be available on Saturdays, as needed.  
• Ability to take on a wide range of administrative tasks.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team.  This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes.  The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.