School Based Mental Health Therapist

The School Based Therapist is part of the School Based Mental Health program and will be placed in a local elementary, middle, or high school in the metro Atlanta area. The Therapist will primarily provide individual and family counseling services but will also provide group services as clinically indicated. As a CHRIS 180 Therapist, you will work closely with school staff to coordinate referrals, intakes and updates on active and past cases.

You will provide training and consultation to school staff and others on ways to provide trauma informed care for students.

The primary duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Assessing clients/student’s history of trauma, acuity, strengths, and needs.
  • Screen, evaluate and triage potential consumers to determine what services/evidence-based interventions should be offered.
  • Provide initial clinical impressions.
  • Administer behavioral health assessments and other assessments as clinically indicated or warranted.
  • Always utilize evidence-based practices.
  • Administer/aware of ACE score and implications of service planning.
  • Evaluate and document client’s level of functioning and progress toward attainment of goals.
• Coordinating Services and Collaboration
  • Make necessary referrals to meet consumer health, well-being, education, mental health, and employment needs.
  • Facilitate and/or participate in Team Meetings for students/clients as needed
• Collaborate and communicate with other programs within the school system, CHRIS 180, or other providers/entities in the provision of services to consumers.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with other agencies to include coordinating services to patients.
• Specific Services to Consumers
  • Provide outpatient services to include providing individual counseling, family counseling/training and/or group counseling/training to consumers with mental health, co-occurring, or substance abuse disorders as classified by the DSM V. Use evidence-based, trauma informed practices.
  • Provide therapy for students and their families who are referred to the School-Based Mental Health Program
  • Demonstrate engagement skills and clinical expertise in providing trauma-focused mental health treatment to target client population.
  • Manage clinical caseload. The number of clients on caseload is based on frequency of sessions and billable hour expectations.
  • Provide CSI services to children and families as clinically indicated.
• Documentation Requirements
  • Timely documentation of all case activities in accordance with company policy.
  • Maintain detailed case files and other documentation in 100% compliance with standards.
  • Complete Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) applications as needed.
  • Complete monthly documentation and case trackers as required.
• Practice Requirements
  • Adhere to the organization's policies and procedures.
  • Attend clinical supervision, meetings and training as required/scheduled.
• Performance and Conduct
  • Maintain confidentiality of consumer information
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and code of ethics.
  • Follow mandated reporting requirements of GA Code
  • Support and maintain an environment of emotional and physical safety for consumers, staff, and other stakeholders at all times.
  • Always promote a positive image of the CHRIS 180 programs.
  • Work as a contributing and collaborative team member
  • Respond to consumer, referral source, stakeholder, and peer needs via email and telephone in a timely manner.
• Maintain Personal Information and Training
  • Maintain required certifications and licensure status.
  • Review, understand, and respond to organizational and programmatic policies.

• Master’s degree in the field of social work, counseling and/or marriage and family therapy and the ability to obtain licensure.
• Clinical expertise in child development, dysfunction, counseling, treatment planning and diagnosis is required. ?
• Ability to work independently in the school environment without agency support onsite. Demonstrated ability to seek out supervision when needed is critical.
• Skilled in providing individual, family, and group therapy.
• Ability to effectively relate to clients, parents/custodians of all social, economic, ethnic,…