Therapist; Bilingual

About the Health Services Division:

The Health Services division of the HCJPD is responsible for the medical, psychological, and treatment programs within the agency. The services operated within this division include the medical staff that assess and treat youth in the detention center and post-adjudicated facilities. In addition, the division has mental health therapists who provide crisis counseling, and individual, group and family therapy to youth both in the detention center and under community supervision.

Lastly, the Health Services division oversees the four specialty courts that operate within the agency to help address some of the underlying factors that may be impacting a youth’s functioning.

The Therapist provides counseling services including crisis intervention, crisis management, individual sessions, group sessions, and family intervention under supervision of Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD). This position is expected to assist in providing safe and secure custody of adolescents to reduce negative effects of detainment, provide mental health services to the youth in our care, and encourage socially acceptable behavior.

• Provides supportive psychosocial counseling, psychosocial education, crisis intervention/management, clinical assessments, all while highlighting different modalities based upon the needs of the youth (ex: chemical dependency treatment, anger management).
• Responsible for providing individual and group therapy to HCJPD youth. Provides family therapy as needed, and family contact as needed (to gather relevant treatment information and to appraise them of any concerns regarding their youth at facility).
• Maintains clear, timely, and concise documentation of treatment efforts in compliance with Health Services and Residential Services policies and procedures.
• Completes relevant clinical/administrative functions such as clinical staffing, medication monitoring, and staff training. Identifies and refers youth for psychiatric and social services.
• Provides consultation to HCJPD Juvenile Probation Officers and Youth Development Coaches regarding behavioral and adjustment issues, case planning, and treatment needs, including providing advocacy and collaborative efforts to ensure related services are provided to assigned youth.

• MS/MA from an accredited college or university in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work with either:
• One (1) year of post master's clinical experience OR Two (2) semesters of internship in the Psychological and Social Services Unit of Harris County Juvenile Probation or in Harris County Children's Forensic Unit.

• Applicant must be fully licensed in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LPA) within three (3) years of date of hire.

• Working knowledge of DSM-5 and multi-axial assessment/diagnoses.
• Ability to conduct clinical and psychosocial assessments.
• Working knowledge and ability to execute evidence-based strategies and therapeutic modalities.
• Consistently demonstrate knowledge and application of skills, methods, and fundamentals as they relate to clinical practice with population in detention.
• Ability to document all assessments, clinical notes, phone calls, case management notes, and referrals in a timely manner (24-hour note writing window) while maintaining accuracy.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HCJPD unit policies and procedures.
• Ability to assess and conceptualize youth’s emotional state, and implement necessary intervention in accordance to departmental guidelines.
• Demonstrate ability to untangle a problem, and dissect it into manageable parts.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments, while simultaneously meeting multiple deadlines.
• Communicate with supervisor consistently, make use of consultation, and accept constructive feedback to improve work quality.
• Ability to communicate across departments, and interdepartmentally.
• Must be 21 years old.

• Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
• Must be Spanish-speaking.
• Must be able to keep up…