Youth Mental Health Therapist/Wellness Specialist/Counselor (Licensed)

Mission Statement

Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and recently incarcerated people, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community.

Job Title:Youth Mental Health Therapist/Wellness Specialist/Counselor (Licensed)

Reports To:Clinical Director/Director of Homeboy Youth Center

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide on-site psychotherapy, including individual treatment sessions, group work, advocacy, crisis assessment, and interventions. Mental Health clinicians are responsible for maintaining legal and ethical standards and appropriate documentation.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Provide clinical assessment and treatment for clients referred to the Mental Health Department at Homeboy Industries.
• Develop individualized, trauma-informed, client-centered treatment plans
• Develop and facilitate psycho-educational process groups, based on thematic needs identified within the Homeboy community.
• Provide Family therapy, as needed
• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary clinical case conferences
• Meet with the program director weekly for individual consultation
• Consult, as clinically indicated, with other departmental staff (i.e., Substance Use Counselor, psychiatric consultant, Domestic Violence team, case management) at the setting.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation in a timely manner
• Assist in weekly review of the Mental Health referral waitlist; assess for safety if/when indicated via referral measures
• Support clients in referral processes, as needed, w/ provision of suitable documentation toward procurement of housing, SSI, Full Service Partnership, educational services, childcare, etc.
• Maintain clinically appropriate contact, per request, with clients' other service entities and system providers (DCFS, Probation, EDD, DOR, etc.)
• Participate in psycho-educational presentations within the agency to support a trauma-informed and client-centered perspective throughout the Homeboy community.
• Participate in community presentations, conferences, and educational gatherings to increase awareness of and compassion for the needs of our population and to share our approach to the work.
• Group therapy facilitation
• Attend and chaperone various field trips, including some overnight retreats.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION FOR POSITION:

• Master's Degree in a related field (MSW, MFT, PsyD, PhD)
• Licensure required
• Experience working with at-risk youth, gang-affected populations, and/or marginalized adults in a clinical setting.
• Experience interfacing with other client-related systems, i.e., Probation, DCFS, etc.
• A mission-driven person with a strong work ethic
• Ability to relate sensitively to persons of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
• Must be able to multitask and work in a timely and accurate manner
• Ability to meet program goals and deadlines

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Ability to work in a unique, fast-paced environment with unpredictable crises.
• Commitment to unconditional positive regard toward clients
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system
• Good communication and organization skills
• Basic knowledge of MS Office and general computer equipment
• EMDR training/certification a plus
• Bilingual –Spanish speaking a plus