Therapist - Intake and Group Focused

A world where every child is safe, every family is strong, and hope outshines hardship. We help children heal from trauma so they can build healthy relationships, succeed in education and discover their own world of opportunities and possibilities. This happens by engaging a child in the context of their family issues.

We know that, to end a cycle of abuse or trauma, we must work with children to clarify their thoughts and feelings and get a realistic view of each family member’s role in their life.

In response to this community-wide challenge, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS), now operates 12 programs in 34 locations, serving nearly 4,500 children and families each year, which provide children with permanent homes and adults with increased self-sufficiency. This is accomplished by the agency’s commitment to “The PCHAS Way” which inspires the agency to be strength-focused, family-centered, and goal driven with every client.

Benefits of serving children and families in need through PCHAS include competitive salaries, flex work schedules, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance options, voluntary life insurance options, paid holidays, and a very generous retirement plan (after one year of service and working 1,000 hours the agency matches an employee 200% up to a 3%.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Location & Travel Requirements

This position is split between two locations, with approximately 50% of the time spent providing therapist services in St. Louis, MO, and 50% providing case management services in Jefferson County, MO. Candidates must be able and willing to travel between both locations as required to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

Position Summary

The Therapist – Intake and Group Focused position primarily focuses on Behavioral Health Diagnostic Evaluations (BHDE/intake assessments) for all Family Solutions for Kids (FSK) clients, group therapy and group presentations digitally or in person, digital and physical file creation, waitlist maintenance, some administrative duties related to these areas of focus and other FSK related tasks as needed by the Program Manager.

This Therapist also will carry a partial case load of FSK family/individual therapy (main intervention) clients depending on the intake and group therapy case load.

This position provides assessment, treatment planning, and intensive home, school, and community-based therapy services for Family Solutions for Kids clients (ages 4 to 19) and family members in their household.

Therapy services may be conducted in-person and/or via telehealth using HIPAA compliant platform(s) based on the client’s/family’s needs or preference.

The person in this position also provides case management, which includes linkage, sharing resources, and cultivating natural supports to ensure long term success and access to services.

The position also requires working collaboratively with collateral contacts to cultivate long term relationships with community partners.

Essential Job Functions

Follows all contractual and agency policies, procedures, and seamless delivery of services to children and their families.

Works collaboratively with partner agency staff to maintain the FSK waitlist in both counties of operation, St. Louis and Jefferson.

Contacts and screens clients on the waitlist for eligibility for the program as therapists have openings; schedules intake assessments (BHDE) usually via telehealth (phone or video call); creates client files in CSWIS and physical files; communicates completed intakes with therapists, and program manager; assigns clients to therapists.

Provides group presentations, group therapy, and psychoeducation groups via HIPAA compliant format digitally through telehealth and in person as needed as lead facilitator. This Therapist will be the primary facilitator of groups for FSK with other therapists or the program manager as backups.

Most groups will incorporate practicum students as co-facilitators.

Group presentations will require maintaining group curriculum, attendance, reminder emails, set-up and scheduling for sessions, registration forms, maintenance of registration lists, and other items as required by funders or insurance companies providing payment for services.

• Assists with marketing of groups and program, as necessary.
• Assists FSK Program Manager with additional administrative duties as needed.

For main intervention clients: provides thorough Family Assessment and Safety Planning in the home to inform development of a Treatment Plan with measurable goals, specific to the needs of the family, and updates the plan within 6 to 8 weeks or as needed. Implements evidence-based interventions based on the treatment plan and follows program requirements in cooperation and compliance with funding sources.

Maintains client files and documentation according to ethical/legal standards as required by policy, procedures, and contract/grant requirements, in an accurate and timely manner.

Provides education related to family functioning and child development, cultivating skills to improve communication, emotional regulation, and relationship focused parenting, and helps families develop natural supports and crisis plans.

Provides linkage with community supports and resources and works collaboratively with referral sources as appropriate. Provide aftercare services in the form of follow-up phone calls 6 and 12 months after discharge.

Meets agency productivity expectations on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis.

Working Conditions

Works in a typical office setting and from employee’s home, or other community location as established by flexible work agreement, to complete paperwork, documentation, and other indirect service tasks.

Meets clients in home or other community locations as needed or meets clients via telehealth using a HIPAA compliant platform; drives an automobile on a routine basis in both suburban and urban areas; must have reliable transportation. Requires sitting, standing, bending and reaching.

May require lifting up to 25 pounds. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, copiers, calculators, the telephone and other office equipment. Must have the ability and energy to visit more than one family per day.

Willingness to work irregular hours which will include two to three evenings per week. Attend monthly team meetings and bi-weekly staffings, therapists manage their own schedule around these meetings.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

Therapists shall possess a Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling. Must be either licensed or provisionally licensed in a clinical discipline, i. e., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, etc. in the state of Missouri.

Skills

Represents Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) to the professional community. Must have strong verbal and written communication and ability to represent the agency well.

Builds and maintains positive community relationships with referral sources, Family Court, treatment providers, schools, and agency partners. Builds and maintains rapport with children, parents, and families; actively managing and resolving conflicts.

Plans, arranges, and/or provides crisis intervention services as needed. Maintains confidentiality and HIPAA standards for all assigned clients and families.

Must be able to operate computer using agency approved software programs, and other office machines such as copier, calculator, telephone, etc. Must have the ability to navigate data entry systems.

Strong psychosocial assessment and decision-making skills; possess good understanding of various treatment methodologies utilizing strength-based clinical interventions and evidence-based practices.

Excellent time management, organization, planning, and assertive communication skills. Ability to prioritize tasks and resolve conflict/problem-solve with minimal supervision. Must have the ability to work with people from various ethnic groups in a culturally competent manner.

Other Requirements

Must hold a valid driver’s license, have and maintain a risk-free driving record. Must be willing to undergo initial and periodic child abuse/neglect, criminal history, sexual offender, and childcare/elder care disqualification list screenings.

As requested, must submit fingerprints for review by the state of your employment and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Must undergo a pre-employment drug screen and a pre-employment physical with the results showing no evidence of communicable disease.

Christian Commitment

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) is a faith-based organization guided by Christ’s love, dedicated to creating a world where every child is safe, every family is strong, and hope outshines hardship.

Through Christ-centered care, we empower children, young adults, and families by nurturing their strengths, resilience, and faith. We strive to serve like Jesus—meeting those we serve where they are, treating them with dignity and compassion, and walking alongside them with grace and understanding.

At PCHAS, we focus on the strengths and potential within each individual, encouraging those we serve to look forward with hope and confidence rather than being defined by past challenges. When we live out this mission well, we help children and families experience hope, thrive in their journeys, and know the enduring love of God.

Salary Ranges

• Licensed: $61,000 - $73,000 a year
• Provisional: $55,000 a year