BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

• Plans and provides behavioral health therapy and care coordination services to Primary Care patients who are identified by universal screening or physician referral as able to benefit from behavioral health services, meet medical necessity and agree to treatment.
• Works as part of a team of primary care providers to assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans that address mild and moderate behavioral health disorders.
• Works with the primary care team and patient to enhance behavior-based responses to medical disorders, where behavior change can significantly improve outcomes (such as with pain management, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other diet and exercise related conditions).
• Along with the Substance Use Disorder counselor addresses the behavioral needs of participants struggling with impairments from problematic use of alcohol or other drugs.

Conducts initial screening interviews for those patients who present as at-risk of Depressive, Anxiety and/or Substance Use Disorders, as determined by self-administered universal patient screening measures (e. g. PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT C).

Assists participants, as part of the integrated behavioral health primary care team to address the whole person care needs of the Primary Care treatment plan, by establishing a plan to address social, cultural, familial and personal patterns that contribute to whole health outcomes.

Leads individual, family and group brief therapy for patient participants, whose treatment plans including goals to change behavior, and/or reduce symptoms of a mental health disorder, including alcohol and other substance use.

Monitors and timely documents progress in the patients’ electronic medical record, (within 24 hours of service).

Consults with medical providers and behaviorists, including collaborative exam room visits and warm hand-offs.

• Provides brief psychoeducation and behavior interventions to supplement patient adherence with prescribed medical and behavioral health interventions.
• Diagnose DSM-5 mental health disorders
• Provide trauma informed and evidenced based models of treatment intervention.
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments for those patients participating in adjunct therapy and/or psychiatry services.

Requirements

Completion of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field; AND

Licensure with the State of California as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Psychologist

California Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) or Licensed Psychologists must maintain current and valid licensure with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Department of Psychology.