Description

Summary/Objectives

The Family Therapist is responsible for providing a full range of counseling services, including teletherapy, to individuals, families and children served by YWCA Central Alabama through its Domestic Violence, Community Housing and Child Development programs.

Essential Functions

• Provide individual counseling services to victims of domestic violence, including rural victims in Blount County and St. Clair County; teletherapy counseling services are available.
• Provide individual, couples and family counseling to transitional and permanent housing residents at the YWCA downtown, as well as YWoodlawn Housing and Interfaith Hospitality House in Woodlawn; teletherapy counseling services are available.
• Provide individual and group counseling to children served in the YWCAs Child Development Center and After School Enrichment Program as requested.
• Facilitate weekly domestic violence victim support groups in Jefferson County; provide support for domestic violence victim support groups in St. Clair County, via a virtual setting.
• Offer mental health education programs for clients, residents and staff; provide advocacy and public education as requested.
• Provide coverage on the domestic violence crisis line.
• Maintain detailed statistics and records on those served.
• Adhere to the policies of the program and agency.
• Responsible for on-going professional growth and knowledge of developments within the fields of mental health, domestic violence, childrens mental health, poverty and trauma-informed services.
• All other duties as needed and assigned for the smooth operation of the agency.

Competencies

1. Communication.

• The ability to listen to the various points of view, without judgment
• Ability to probe and ask appropriate questions in the process of gathering information.
• Facilitate conversations between family members.

• Speaks clearly and can be easily understood.
• Tailors the content of speech to the level and experience of the audience.
• Summarizes or paraphrases his/her understanding of what others have said to verify understanding and prevent miscommunication.

1. Empathy.

• Perceptive enough to understand varied points of view.
• Sensing others feelings and perspective, and taking an interest in their concerns.
• Developing others, acting on their needs and concerns and helping them to develop to their full potential.

1. Conflict Resolution.

• Ability to help client achieve an effective resolution that is as satisfactory as possible to all involved.
• Considers alternative solutions by weighing the potential risks and impact against the desired outcome.
• Recognizes the signs of conflict and initiates appropriate action.
• Encourages open communication in order to identify causes of conflict and to explore different perspectives and solutions.
• Recognizes when compromise is necessary and is effective in getting others to be flexible in their views.

Supervisory Responsibility

The Family Counselor has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in an office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

This role requires the physical mobility to sit and walk for moderate periods of time and requires the ability to occasionally carry or lift objects weighing up to 20 lbs.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full time position. Days of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Some flexibility in hours is required, and may vary based on client need and Victim Support Groups. The employee must work 40 hours each week to maintain full time status and at least 30 hours each week to maintain health benefits.

Travel

This position will be expected to travel throughout the 3 county service areas (Blount, St. Clair, and
Jefferson).

Required Education and Experience

1. Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Communications, Public Relations or other related field required.
2. Three years of experience of relevant experience, including experience in crisis intervention, currently licensed as one of the following:
   • Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling
   • Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) or Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (MFT Associate) by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage & Family Therapy
   • Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners
3. Valid Alabama drivers license and personal automobile insurance.
4. Knowledge of the service counties and their resources.
5. Ability to travel throughout the 3 county service areas (Blount, St. Clair, Jefferson).
6. This is a full time position, Monday through Friday. Hours may vary by client needs.

Qualifications