Mental Health Therapist I

This position is for Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy.

About Aspire

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives.

Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

General Summary

The Mental Health Therapist (Gen Ed) provides a wide range of school counseling services to children grades TK-12, including screening and assessment, individual and group counseling, collaboration with families, participating in the planning and implementation of site-based MTSS interventions, and working with/referral to outside agencies as appropriate. They influence the development of a safe, successful learning environment and positive school culture by partnering with teachers, administrators, school staff, and members of the Regional and Home Office.

Mental Health Therapist 1: Aspire Public Schools prioritizes the professional development and clinical hour collection of Mental Health Therapists 1 as they work towards becoming licensed therapists.

Mental Health Therapist 2: Aspire Public Schools prioritizes the professional development and leadership capacity building of Mental Health Therapists 2 as they work towards becoming clinical supervisors for colleagues within the organization.

Mental Health Therapist 3: Aspire Public Schools prioritizes the professional development and leadership capacity building of Mental Health Therapists 3 as they are the essential facilitators of clinical supervision for colleagues within the organization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Demonstrate knowledge of and support of, Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, equity commitments, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

Consistently and routinely update case files for students on their caseload, complying with all Aspire, BBS, state, and federal guidelines and mandates around documentation, practice, and maintenance of clinical registration, including honoring mandated reporting duties.

Exhibit positive rapport with students that demonstrates skillful professional boundaries.

Create positive, appropriate, and consistent communication with Aspire staff and administration about student clinical goals and progress.

Attend all staff meetings and professional development sessions, including attending IEPs, 504s, and MTSS meetings for students on their caseload, as necessary.

Explore and sharpen therapeutic preventions and interventions at all intervention tiers for the purposes of fostering better mental health and positive learning environments for all students at Aspire.

Mental Health Therapist 2 & 3: Design and perform therapeutic preventions and interventions at all intervention tiers for the purposes of fostering better mental health and positive learning environments for all students at Aspire.

Collaborate with school staff on universal interventions for students such as peer mediation, conflict mediation, Restorative Practices, socio-emotional learning (SEL), and trauma-informed interventions, etc.

Support the creation and implementation of community and school programming, including, but not limited to: parent workshops and community resources.

Research and initiate partnerships with outside agencies to help foster better learning and support for the students of Aspire and their families.

Provide crisis counseling and referrals for students as needed, including honing their risk assessment methodology.

May supervise counseling trainees/interns.

Mental Health Therapist 2 & 3: Participate in the creation and facilitation of the regional, clinical professional development program for Mental Health Therapists 1.

Mental Health Therapist 3 Only

Facilitate the individual, triadic, and/or group clinical supervision for associates seeking licensure in the state of California.

• Provide ongoing crisis consultation for associates who they clinically supervise and for site teammates.
• Schedule, organize, and communicate regularly with Associate MHCs, site administrators, outside clinical supervisors, and Regional/Home Office leadership regarding clinical supervision systems.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Qualifications

• Required knowledge, skills & abilities:
• Demonstrated commitment to students and learning.
• Experience with students grades TK-12.

Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to write clearly and interact effectively with different stakeholders.

Excellent organization, time management and follow-up skills; ability to rank and carry out a variety of urgent priorities; demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple cases concurrently.

• Ability to work as a part of a team.
• Possess knowledge of a variety of forms of intervention and prevention models for both individuals and group therapeutic settings (ex: CBT, Play therapy, etc.)
• Demonstrate ability to adjust to and use new approaches in the performance of their duties.
• Deal with obstacles and constraints positively and with a solutions-oriented mindset.

Minimum Educational Level

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Master’s Degree in counseling/social work or related discipline required
• Mental Health Therapist 1: Registered Associate with BBS (AMFT, ASW, and/or APCC)
• Mental Health Therapist 2: Clinical Licensure through the BBS

Mental Health Therapist 3: Clinical Licensure through the BBS and certification to provide clinical supervision

Highly Desirable Qualifications

• PPS credential or eligibility for PPS credential
• Bilingual - Spanish
• Supervise trainees/interns (Mental Health Therapist 3 only)

Compensation

Aspire offers its employees a competitive salary and benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.

Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is reflected here:

Aspire Public Schools- Mental Health Therapist 1, Pay Schedule

Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.

#LinkedInEducators