Therapist II

About the Job

Are you passionate about empowering individuals through high-quality mental health care? Do you thrive in collaborative environments where your work directly transforms lives? At Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE), we’re looking for a dedicated and compassionate Therapist II to join our dynamic team. In this impactful role, you’ll provide vital counseling and psychotherapy services to our participants, helping them overcome barriers and achieve lasting well-being. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Diagnose and treat mental health disorders.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling/psychotherapy, including services to those participants with more complex cases.
• Establish positive, trusting rapport with a caseload of participants.
• Conduct initial and ongoing assessments of therapy participants to develop, implement, and adjust individualized treatment plans based on their evolving needs and circumstances.
• Safely manage participants in instances of mental health crisis.
• Involve and advise family members in treatment planning when appropriate (e.g. when working with participants who are minors).
• Collaborate with participants to develop post-treatment activity plans.
• Organize, coordinate, prepare, and deliver groups and workshops for participants and their families.
• Refer participants to outside specialists or agencies for further treatment as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of clinical services, including session notes, progress evaluations, treatment recommendations, and data entry into participant databases.
• Adhere to all safety protocols, maintain confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI), and ensure compliance with the appropriate Code of Ethics and applicable legal and professional standards.
• Supervise and provide field instruction to MSW interns, including weekly supervision, case consultation, performance feedback, participation in university meetings, completion of required documentation, and ongoing training to support clinical development and licensure compliance.
• Serve as a Preceptor for the MSW internship program (if need arises).
• Facilitate monthly Care Club meetings, engaging staff in case consultation as well as providing training on mental health related topics.
• Develop and facilitate training (e.g. continuing education, professional development) for ACE staff and volunteers.
• Incorporate best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion, restorative justice, and trauma-informed care into organizational culture.
• Serve as the alternate supervisor for DBH therapists when the Director of Clinical Services is absent.
• Conduct regular clinical consultations with staff, offering expertise on treatment planning, crisis intervention, and best therapeutic practices.
• Assist the Director of Clinical Services in coordinating referral assignments for phone screenings and matching clients with the appropriate therapists.
• Lead special projects to develop new and/or revise existing programs, policies, and procedures and support implementation.
• Assist in preparing and advocating for a program, unit/team, or budget.
• Assist in writing periodic program reports and submitting program data for funder reports.
• Attend and participate in all mandatory meetings, including group and individual supervision meetings.
• Foster positive relationships with community members, families, and partner organizations.
• Participate in cultural and community building activities/events.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Operates as a reliable, flexible team player who works well with minimal supervision; has a good work ethic; is able to work effectively with team members demonstrating creativity, initiative, adaptability, and the ability to accept accountability and critical feedback. Is receptive to learning and responsive to supervision. Follows established procedures and is able to contribute to their improvement with a solution-oriented approach. Willing to take direction and learn from others
• General proficiency in navigating and using technology.
• Possesses the interpersonal skills needed to promote a safe, positive, and inclusive professional work environment conducive to effective service delivery; communicates effectively both orally and in writing
• Demonstrates cultural competence/cultural humility in community relations and service delivery
• Is sensitive to community, cultural and personal dignity of program participants and is able to successfully engage, assess, and plan services for participants typical of the program’s target population. Recognizes appropriate boundaries and limitations on interactions with program participants and their families and the need to maintain professional standards and practices. Is familiar with standard approaches to accurate participant record keeping, including timely charting, notation formats, content limitations, and confidentiality practices
• Possesses knowledge of programs, regulations, and procedures regarding human services, social services, justice, and workforce development
• Professional-level understanding of current human development and stages of change theory
• Proficient at utilizing a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities/interventions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout facilities.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to bend, lift, stretch, climb, and crawl to provide services.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters or Doctorate degree in social work, counseling, psychology or social science 
• Licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Services as an LCSW, LMFT or LPCC
• Current registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
• Possess a current California Driver’s License, clean DMV record & adequate auto insurance
• Must submit to a Department of Justice Criminal background check
• Initial TB employment clearance required

The anticipated pay range for candidates who will work in California is $38.46 to $48.07 hourly.  The offered pay to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to years of experience within the job, years of experience within the required industry, education, etc.

Alliance for Community Empowerment provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.