Outpatient Therapist- Licensed FT

About Delaware Guidance Services

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware.

We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and we are the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO.

In 2020, we were honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma-informed approach.

Through DGS, clients and families have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school-based services. Our community-based service lines serve youth and families who require a more intense therapeutic protocol.

DGS’ 24-hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatches skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises.

Therapeutic options are available for a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress-related disorders, and suicidal ideation. In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware.

Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and therapeutic benefits derived from trauma-informed care extend to clients’ siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers.

Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. Many of our clients present with significant treatment challenges including learning impacts due to missed school and negative economic impact due to parental missed work.

We provide care to anyone in need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay for care. DGS also provides services specifically tailored to meet the unique behavioral health care needs of child welfare-involved families and foster youth

Why Work at Delaware Guidance Services?

DGS strives to build a collaborative, flexible, and client-focused work environment. Employee wellness is a top priority. In addition to offering flexible work arrangements, DGS offers a comprehensive and competitive employee benefits package including the following:

• Competitive Compensation
• Incentive Pay for Specific Roles
• Generous Paid Time Off (starting at 44 days of paid leave a year)
• Up to 8% Annual Contribution to Your Retirement Fund
• Free Professional Development Opportunities
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-term Disability Insurance

Position Highlights

• Flexible / Hybrid work environment (Partial telecommuting available)
• Flexible Schedule- 20 to 37.5 hours per week
• Generous benefits and time off policies
• Ability to work with children through a mission driven organization

Summary/objective

The Outpatient Therapist is responsible for providing clinical behavioral health services at a designated DGS location.

Essential Functions

Clinical

• Provide evaluative, diagnostic, and psychotherapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults, and their families
• Conceptualize course of treatment inclusive of appropriate modalities, interventions, frequency and duration of clinical services
• Assess clients needs and risks by utilizing crisis intervention skills and/or services
• Apply knowledge related to developmental factors, family and community systems in order to develop and implement treatment planning
• Maintains an assigned caseload in compliance with agency standards related to direct clinical care
• Demonstrate comprehensive skills in providing evaluation, diagnosis, and therapeutic services to build resilience in children, adolescents, adults, and families
• Participates in interagency committees, community task forces, and advocacy special interest groups
• Provides clinical supervision for Masters program interns and staff members as assigned
• Provides feedback and suggestions for program improvement

Administrative & Clinical Documentation

• Engages and collaborates with community resources, make appropriate referrals, and consult with other agencies on behalf of clients
• Collaborates with school staff regarding behavioral health services for students
• Complete required documentation for clinical records within established timeframes.
• Participates in scheduled supervision with the direct People Leader
• Maintains active status licensure with respective State of Delaware Division of Professional Regulation

General

• Interpersonal skills/relationships/teamwork

• Participates in relevant professional development and learning activities

• Adheres to professional code of ethics and conduct
• Communicates effectively and professionally with all stakeholders
• Demonstrates continuous commitment to DGS’ core values
• Performs other duties that support the mission of the organization

Competencies/ Capabilities

• Knowledge and application of therapeutic interventions
• Clinical Judgment/decision making/problem solving
• Effective Practice Management
• Adaptability/continuous improvement
• Written & oral communication

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Work Environment

Office and/or community settings as assigned, Partial telecommuting with approval

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• May be requested to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Travel required: Occasional travel to various sites and/or community partners

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree which qualifies for licensure in the state of Delaware as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), License Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Psychologist.
• Possess Delaware Clinical Licensure (social work, psychology, counseling)

• Minimum of two years of relevant full-time post graduate experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual

EEO

Delaware Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other Responsibilities

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, tasks or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, tasks or responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.