Therapist

Purpose

The purpose of the Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) Therapist in the Preventive Service Department is to implement the BSFT model with family with child(ren) between the ages of 6 to 17 years old who present with various behavioral problems, including school truancy, substance use, conduct problems, and delinquency.

The Preventive Services Department provides child welfare services using Evidence Based models to ensure that families can provide safe environments for their children, keep children safe in their homes and reduce the need for foster care.

Prevention is an essential part of the child welfare continuum and requires a commitment to the wellbeing of all members of a client family. All services are provided in a family’s home and community.

Position Overview

The Therapist works with families to assess their needs, develop intervention plans, and deliver therapy sessions that are tailored to the family's unique circumstances. They collaborate with other service providers to ensure a comprehensive approach to family care. The therapist also plays a crucial role in monitoring the family's progress, adjusting treatment plans as necessary, and working towards successful case closure.

Therapists are a key figure in helping families overcome challenges, strengthen relationships, and create a safe and nurturing environment for children within the child welfare system. The Therapist provides all services in a client’s home and community.

Key Essential Functions

• Provide Child Welfare Preventive Services exclusively or primarily within the client’s home and community
• Build and maintain a collaborative relationship with every family member that has or should have a relationship with the youth who has identified needs.
• Provide direct clinical treatment to the entire family using BSFT MODEL theory and techniques
• As the leader of the therapeutic relationship, take responsibility for family progress and outcomes

Build and maintain a collaborative relationship with relevant community stakeholders (i. e., child protection services, probation officers, judges, schools, etc.) to ensure cooperation among service providers

Integrate case management services with an assigned evidence base model to help families meet their basic needs to promote stability and reduce stress

Transform negative interactions into positive and collaborative interactions

Focus on family strengths (defined from an interactional perspective). These are the connection, concern and love that are behind a family member’s negative behaviors.

Conduct assessments including review of referral information, identify and engage key participants, identify strengths and weaknesses and collaboratively develop goals.

• Videotape all family therapy sessions, with consent
• Conduct family therapy in a place and at the time that is most convenient to the family

Maintain clear and concise documentation of treatment efforts that promote peer, supervisory, model expert and ACS review and feedback.

Adhere to the fidelity of the model. Work within the model’s structure, regarding length of treatment, case contacts, interventions, supervision, and documentation.

• Entering documentation in the OCFS and ACS Database System (PROMIS and CNNX)
• Collaborate with child welfare and follow ACS guidelines for preventive services, in particular the safety and risk aspects.
• Participate in all BSFT MODEL training, supervision and consultation activities
• Manage the extensive travel requirements involved in serving families in their homes
• Work a hybrid schedule based on program needs
• Comfortable with group supervision and commitment to work on professional development goals to improve adherence
• Work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of families
• Outreach to generate referrals to programs
• Work with a team to meet client, program, and division needs
• Additional tasks as assigned

Core Competencies

• Ability to connect at a human level with clients to engage and maintain them in therapy
• Ability to establish an effective and collaborative relationship with all family members, requiring the therapist to manage her/his own feelings about each family member.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Willingness and ability to be strengths focused
• Ability to function in the context of high tension and anger in the family
• Ability to shift the family from content to process, from past and future discussions to interactions that occur in the present
• Appreciation, respect, and understanding for teamwork and organizational systems

Ability to Maintain High Level of Self-awareness

Ability to observe the present- the interactions that occur in front of the therapist- as they occur.

Ability to be comfortable with cultural differences; to relate in ways that are respectful, strength-focused, and culturally appropriate

Ability to be family-centered, and to allow the family to interact. The therapist does not need to be the center of the therapy but rather places the family at the center of the therapy.

Ability not to buy the family’s frame. Keep sufficient independence from the family to enable you to observe the family and come to your own conclusions based on what you see, rather than on what the family says.

Educational/Training Required

Master’s degree in social work, Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy or a related subject area.

Experience Required/Language Preference

• Bilingual/Bicultural preferred
• Experience working in the client’s home.
• Experience working in a Child Welfare, JJI, or Adolescent Focused program.

Experience and /or knowledge of Evidence-Based Models, Motivational Interviewing and Solution- Focused work. Experience of working within diverse communities.

Direct practice with families

Computer Skills Required

• Knowledge of Microsoft office required
• Knowledge and experience with the Connections system preferred

Work Environment / Physical Effort

To perform the essential functions of this job the candidate must be able to travel within New York City carrying equipment such as a notebook, forms, laptop, mobile hotspot and cell phone weighing up to approximately 10 pounds.

Risks/hazards associated with the position are those which may be encountered travelling around New York City and interfacing with clients experiencing an acute mental health crisis or serious emotional disturbance.

Position is currently hybrid but can become 100% in person based on program need.

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.