Mental Health Therapist - School Based

The Mental Health Therapist provides direct therapeutic services including assessments, individual, group and crisis counseling to current and past participants. This position assists in program development and operation while ensuring eligibility and program outcomes.

The Mental Health Therapist is supports participants through a human centered and trauma informed approach, in addition they are engaging, culturally responsive and aware of the diverse needs of various cultures, races, ethnicities and populations.

• Learn more about YMCA Youth and Family Services programs CLICK HERE
• For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

SCHEDULE: 8:30a. m. - 5p. m

Depending on business need; one day a week a later shift going into early evening hours may be needed

Work Designation

• In-Person - Central San Diego school sites, and North Park office
• Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs.

Program Summary

The TIDES program: Medi-Cal funded, school-based mental health service designed for youth ages 5–21 who are Medi-Cal eligible, uninsured, or underinsured.

The program provides comprehensive services including individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluation and medication management, and case management.

By working closely with schools, TIDES aims to support youth and their caregivers through consistent collaboration and coordinated care.

Healthy Start Building Bridges program: Provides free, school-based mental health support through individual, family, and group counseling, case management, and parent education.

By partnering with schools and families, the program helps address emotional and behavioral challenges, strengthen resilience, and promote overall well-being. Program coordinators work closely with the community to bridge gaps in support, ensuring students can reach their fullest potential.

Services are offered within our contracted school sites, at our North Park office, and within the community for eligible clients.

Responsibilities

Provide individual, family and crisis counseling to participants and facilitate groups to current and former participants; Provide clinical assessment, evaluation, service plan development, case management, crisis intervention, collateral services, and other duties as necessary

Educate service staff on mental health topics and facilitate treatment planning and case management goals

Provide information and referrals regarding other transitional program services, mental health, medication management and substance abuse to participants

Work independently and as a team member to create innovative ways to meet contract goals and provide a high level of service that is engaging and meets the needs of the participants

Complete counseling intake and psychosocial assessments of all participants

Maintain case records, records to facilitate data collection material, and other confidential material; Maintain collateral contact with outside therapy providers as needed; Collect pre and post program data on program participants regarding satisfaction and progress

Foster environments that promote reflective thinking, mistakes as lessons to guide change, and adaptions to programs and approaches; Through a relationally responsive management style, provide a strong, collaborative, and intentional day-to-day collaborative presence; Support collaborative results and rest driven culture; Apply a creative problem-solving lens with the ability to be flexible and adapt to different personalities, work styles, and a growing, changing organization

Collaborate with outside agencies/institutions and other community-based services to ensure continuity of care

Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage and auditing

Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees

Travel Requirements

Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work (ASW) or Professional Clinical Counselor required

• Registered with California Board of Behavioral Science as an associate required
• California license eligible clinician with two years post-master’s degree experience preferred
• Experience working with children and families in a mental health setting preferred
• Basic computer knowledge and skills

Job Competencies

• Must be self-aware, flexible, adaptable, and teachable
• Experience with working with adolescents and families
• Must be able to multitask and have good organizational skills
• Must be able to work as part of a team
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse community

Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency situation

Ability to adequately observe participants activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate policies and procedures

• Must possess the ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills
• This position required sitting and inputting on a computer for extended periods of time

PRE-Hire Contingencies

Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications

CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute

Position may require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:

Negative TB assessment or test results obtained within the past 60 days, prior to start, and every four (4) years thereafter

Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you.

After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.

Pay Range

USD $29.94 - USD $29.94 /Hr.