Youth and Family Therapist

SUMMARY The Youth and Family Therapist reports to Clinical Services & Housing department Director and is responsible for the provision of counseling and therapy for minor and transitional age youth and their families engaging in Ozone House’s prevention, shelter/residential, and aftercare services. The Youth and Family Therapist will focus on counseling youth and their caretakers to address the problems that caused the youth to leave their home, working towards improved youth/caregiver relationships, family reunification, and/or safe and stable housing. Therapy and counseling services incorporate the principles of Positive Youth Development, Trauma-Informed Care, Client Centered Care, and Strengths-Based Family Services. The Youth and Family Therapist is responsible for conducting initial and on-going biopsychosocial assessments, treatment planning, progress noting, and case coordination with multi-disciplinary team members working to help stabilize youth and families in crisis. The Youth and Family Therapist will provide individual, group, and family therapy. Family counseling is offered during hours that facilitate the family’s participation, including afternoons, evenings, and weekends, and may be provided in the home, community, or office. Family counseling is offered during non-traditional hours that ensure family participation which includes afternoons, evenings and weekends, and may be provided in office, community and in home. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work, with corresponding Michigan licensure Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT), Multi-Systemic Family Therapy (MSFT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), or other relevant evidence-based practice, preferred, or willingness to become certified EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 3+ years of experience diagnosing, conducting biopsychosocial assessments, and treatment planning. 3+ years of experience working with minor youth 10-17, Transition Age Youth (TAY) Youth, and/or complex family systems Experience developing and facilitating therapy groups Proven experience engaging with diverse identities, including intersecting identities of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background and sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression Commitment to best practices including Positive Youth Development, Harm-Reduction, Housing First, and Trauma-Informed approaches Work requires effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to produce quality work within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects; ability to participate in and facilitate group meetings Possess strong work ethic and ability to take initiative. Demonstrate a high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness Successful completion of pre-employment and annual background check; valid MI driver’s license, current insurance, and access to reliable transportation Valid MI driver’s license, current insurance, and access to reliable transportation ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS PROVISION OF THERAPY SERVICES Provide individual, group, and/or family therapy to assigned clients consistent with the Individual and/or Family Service Plan and clinical diagnosis of the client Complete initial intake and biopsychosocial assessments of youth referred to therapy services Complete on-going documentation for assigned cases including Individual and/or Family Service Plan, progress notes, case review forms, statistical and evaluative tools, and discharge summaries, in accordance with established timeframes Coordinate care with other service providers and present at case consultations, as needed Assist in crisis intervention/management, as needed Utilize evidence-based, experience-informed, and youth-led models of intervention and treatment Provide intensive in-home and on-site, strength-based therapeutic and mental health services to youth and families Conduct health and safety assessments as indicated, including suicidal/homicidal risk assessments, human trafficking, and substance use Provide wrap-around support services to youth and families, including resource information and referrals, service linkage and advocacy, and other assistance as needed Assess, understand, and appropriately use strengths of the youth and family Provide follow-up and outreach services directed at achieving goals and objectives identified on the Individual and/or Family Service Plan. These services are often community based, thus provided in family homes, schools and other community settings Monitor outcome of efforts directed toward service plan goals and objectives Maintain an up-to-date master case load list and review periodically with supervisor Utilize motivational interviewing and engagement best-practices to actively engage and support youth and families Data entry as it relates to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS Participate in advocacy efforts with other public and private service delivery systems and policy makers on behalf of the needs of runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth, and their families Participate in grant writing and other fundraising efforts Be familiar with and use the NASW Code of Ethics and Ozone House policies and procedures to guide practice and decision making Serve as a member of the agency’s Administrative Team to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, social justice strategies, as well as a safe and productive organizational culture Required duties are performed with an awareness of the impact upon agency structure as a whole Maintains individual credentials and participation in education and training as necessary to maintain current competency in skill areas necessary to perform job duties Follows oral and written direction completing tasks as assigned by due dates. Maintains working knowledge of software applications used in performance of daily duties Represent Ozone House at community events and conduct oneself in an ethical, mature, and professional manner with honesty and integrity, welcoming clients, coworkers and other stakeholders with dignity and respect Adhere to the Mission, Values and Visio of Ozone House incorporating equity, opportunity, and inclusiveness for all stakeholders. Attend agency committees and community meetings and provide agency leadership as assigned Participate in monthly all-staff meetings and actively participates in team functions WORK ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND TRAVEL This job operates in a professional office environment. The physical demands of the position include vision, effective speech and hearing for extensive telephone contact; repetitive motion; driving or riding in a motor vehicle; standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and stretching; and lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds unassisted. This role routinely uses standard office equipment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, so long as it creates no undue hardship to the agency. Must have reliable transportation to be able to travel and maintain the rigors of a busy schedule