The Bridge Family center is seeking a full time Community Therapist to join its Youth & Family Services department within the Counseling division. The Community Therapist provides in-school therapy, group work, mentoring, crisis intervention, and positive youth development programming to children and adolescents in the school and other community settings. The Community Therapist will work with clients during the summer in the outpatient clinic as well as work with the YFS department to run summer programming. This position maintains cooperative linkages with the local school system and other youth-serving organizations. Occasional evening and weekend program involvement may be required.
This position requires a minimum of LMSW, LMFT-A, LPC-A. (LCSW, LMFS, or LPC would fall on the higher end of the pay scale).
The Bridge Family Center offers competitive pay and great benefits, including:
Medical/Vision, Dental, Employer paid life insurance, Flexible Spending Plans, 403(b) with match, three (3) weeks of vacation to start (increasing annually for the first 5 years), paid sick time, personal time, diversity time, and 9 paid holidays. As a non-profit organization, we are also eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Management

• Provide effective therapy to children and adolescents in the school and other community settings as demonstrated by documented progress toward treatment goals.
• Maintain timely and complete clinical records in electronic record-keeping system in accordance with licensing and funder requirements.
• Maintain required caseload with a variety of challenging cases. Participate in effective joining with clients as demonstrated by kept appointments.
• Provide crisis intervention support to West Hartford public and private schools.
• Coordinate and facilitate support groups for youth.
• Provide school-based mentoring.
• Facilitate referrals to Bridge Medical Director/APRN when appropriate, and collaborate on cases.
• Participate in Bridge summer programming within the YFS department.
• Provide back-up coverage, as needed, in the West Hartford Teen Center.

Administrative/Staff Relationships

• Support the mission of the Youth Service Bureau and the Bridge Family Center.
• Actively participate in regular clinical supervision.
• Prepare regular statistical and narrative reports for submission to funding agencies in a timely fashion.

Public Relations

• Represent the Bridge and the Youth and Family Services Department at various community meetings and events, as assigned.
• Conduct outreach efforts to enhance community awareness and involvement of Bridge programs.
• Foster a positive working relationship with West Hartford public and private schools, as well as other youth-serving organizations.
• Refer clients to other programs, sponsored by the Bridge or other organizations, when appropriate.

Qualifications: Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, or Counseling required. Minimum of LMSW, LMFT-A, LPC-A required. Will consider other degrees/licenses that meet the educational and therapeutic requirements of the position. Extensive experience working with youth and adolescents, particularly providing therapy, mentoring, and groups. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. This position requires daily travel between Bridge offices and West Hartford Public Schools and/or community centers. There is also the potential for work in additional communities on an as-needed basis. Valid CT Driver's license and ability to travel between locations required, including a reliable form of transportation.
Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to organize responsibilities and function independently within program activities. Display a high energy level and positive attitude. Respond readily to changing conditions. Exercise effective individual and family therapy and group facilitation skills and techniques. Demonstrate positive rapport with youth, including ability to establish professional boundaries and limits. Exercise good judgment.