Behavioral Health Therapist

About Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY)

Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY) is the leading provider of homeless youth services in the DC Region. Through the holistic integration of its Pillars of Opportunity, Sasha Bruce is able to provide safe homes, life skills, and workforce development to meet the unique needs of homeless youth. For more than 45 years, Sasha Bruce has implemented innovative interventions aimed at bringing an end to youth homelessness in the DC region. Today, its programs in DC and Prince George’s County, MD, reach over 6,500 runaway, homeless, abused, and neglected youth, and their families.

About The SBY Therapeutic Group Home

The Sasha Bruce Therapeutic Group Home is one of Sasha Bruce’s newest programs serving children and youth ages 13-21 from foster care who present with an Axis 1 diagnosis. The program has a high level of structure, supervision, behavior management/modification, and clinical intervention due to the nature of the emotional and behavioral conditions.

Position Summary

The Behavioral Health Therapist will report to the Program Manager of the Sasha Bruce Therapeutic Group Home. They will respond to the clinical needs of program participants, provide on-site counseling and clinical support. Our hybrid work policy allows us to accommodate our employees’ need for flexibility.

Qualifications

• Required License/Certification: Masters Degree in Social Work; LICSW preferred, with at least 2 years of experience providing services in behavioral health, addiction treatment and mental health;
• Preferred: 3-5 years of experience providing services in behavioral health, addiction treatment and mental health; experience providing behavioral health services in a primary care setting or in the community;
• A minimum of 2 years of extensive experience with at risk youth;
• Competency in crisis intervention and de-escalation;
• Modalities may include Family Systems, CBT, Somatic Experiencing, Group and EMDR;
• Provision of LGBTQ affirming, de-pathologized care;
• Strong communication and organizational skills required; and,
• This is a full-time, exempt level position. All candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation; pass the required clearances; and provide any additional information regarding previous records, if necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide a range of clinical services to youth and staff including individual, group and family therapy using methods and modalities appropriate to the client;
• Deliver individual crisis intervention to clients on site; de-escalate and stabilize clients;
• Facilitate psycho-education groups on-site, utilizing evidence based practices on various topics including grief/loss and separation, human trafficking, coping skills, mental health and wellbeing, and other related subjects;
• Facilitate anger management techniques and training to assist in supporting clients manage their time in the program;
• Assess the therapeutic needs of clients and create Behavior Modification and Management Plans (BMMP) in conjunction with relevant team members within the first 30 days of placement; plans are person-centered through a collaborative, goal oriented process with youth and staff that target specific behaviors that undermine a client’s ability to pursue and meet developmental, emotional or educational goals, and provide interventions; regularly review and update the Behavior Modification and Management Plan (BMMP);
• Provide support in the creation of Individualized Treatment Plans for clients;
• Support the Linkage to Care Coordinator in assessing eligibility for community based service and/or facilitate services as outlined in the mental health goals of the Individualized Treatment Plan of clients;
• Complete service documentation in client case records within 24-48 hours of the service; maintain accurate, complete, and confidential case files, written documentation, reports to track client progress and outcomes and all other necessary clinical documentation;
• Participate in regular biweekly team consultation meetings with the Behavior Modification Technician, Linkage to Care Coordinator, case manager and other staff working with shared clients;
• Participate in weekly clinical supervision with the Sasha Bruce Clinical Director;
• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, regular supervision and community outreach events as required;
• Completes 40 hours of training annually;
• Availability in evenings and weekends as needed;
• Other duties as assigned; and,
• Must have a commitment to ending youth homelessness, racial equity, inclusion, and issues central to Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s mission.