FFT Therapist

Clarvida•Colorado Springs, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Therapist provides structured, family-focused treatment to youth and families in homes and community settings. The therapist works with youth, caregivers, referral sources, and community supports to address behavioral and emotional concerns, improve family functioning, and support stability. Training to become an FFT therapist is provided; prior FFT training or certification is not required. The therapist must complete required training and participate in ongoing supervision, consultation, and activities that support competent delivery and fidelity to the FFT model. The role includes delivering the phases of FFT, building balanced relationships with family members, assessing family strengths and needs, developing treatment goals and safety plans, coaching practical skills, and helping families use those skills in home, school, and community settings. The therapist also coordinates with relevant agencies and providers, plans transitions and discharges, responds to safety concerns within their training and scope, and may occasionally carry non-FFT cases. The therapist completes model and agency training, consultation, supervision, case reviews, fidelity monitoring, clinical documentation, and administrative records. The position maintains a program-established caseload, service frequency, and billable hours; protects confidential information; and follows agency, payer, contract, and service authorization requirements. The work is field-based and/or in a general office environment, requires travel using a safe, reliable vehicle, and involves a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends. Participation in the on-call process may be assigned.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
Current Colorado DORA license, candidate credential, or registration appropriate to the role, with ability to practice under applicable supervision and payer requirements.
Experience working with children, adolescents, and families.
Knowledge of family systems, child and adolescent development, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and culturally responsive practice.
Ability to engage families experiencing conflict or mandated services, organize a field-based caseload, make sound clinical decisions, and accept coaching and accountability.
Strong written and verbal communication, documentation, and technology skills, including ability to learn electronic health records, FFT platforms, and agency systems.
Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, current auto insurance, and access to a safe, reliable vehicle for required travel.
Ability to satisfy required background checks and fingerprinting.
Knowledge and use of a conceptual framework for child and adolescent development, emotional and behavior problems, and treatment modalities including foster care.
Ability to adhere to applicable standards and regulations, make appropriate placements based on youth and family care providers, develop and implement goals, and maintain agency policies and standards.
Effective organizational and time-management skills; ability to think clearly and logically, solve problems effectively, and function with minimal supervision.
Knowledge of local agencies and community resources serving youth, families, and foster care services.
Experience with crisis intervention and conflict resolution, and knowledge of child development and the child welfare system.
Ability to track staff performance metrics and use a person-centered approach to holding staff accountable to performance objectives.
Comfort learning and using technology resources, including Avatar, Trails, and other systems.
Detail-oriented documentation and communication skills; strong interpersonal and customer service skills; and ability to collaborate with teams.
Professional demeanor, communication, and boundaries with coworkers and clients; ability to hold others accountable; and ability to build and maintain rapport with youth, adults, employees, and child welfare and court professionals.
Knowledge of professional boundaries and self-care routines, and ability to support others in setting appropriate boundaries.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), adequate typing skills, and basic computer skills.
Knowledge and use of phones, copiers, and other office equipment.
Ability to properly install and use car seats and other child vehicle restraint systems.
Understanding and application of Trauma-Informed Care.
Ability to stand, walk, and sit frequently; occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; use a computer, tablet, phone, and general office equipment; grasp and handle objects; communicate effectively by reading, writing, and speaking in person or by telephone; travel off-site; and drive in various road and weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

Independent licensure is preferred.
Bilingual ability is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Deliver FFT through engagement, motivation, relational assessment, behavior change, and generalization in accordance with the approved model and clinical guidance.
Build balanced relationships with family members, reduce blame and negativity, strengthen hope, and address barriers to participation.
Adapt engagement to each family’s culture, strengths, needs, and circumstances.
Assess family relationships, strengths, risks, protective factors, and presenting concerns.
Develop individualized treatment goals and safety or crisis plans with families and the treatment team.
Coach and practice communication, problem-solving, parenting, emotion-regulation, and other skills suited to the family’s assessed relational patterns and treatment phase.
Help families apply and maintain new skills across home, school, and community settings.
Plan transitions, connect families with supports, and complete discharge planning.
Assess and respond to safety concerns within training and scope of practice; consult promptly, follow crisis response procedures, and report suspected abuse or neglect as required.
Communicate with referring agencies and coordinate with caseworkers, schools, courts, and other providers as appropriate, while observing consent and confidentiality requirements.
Provide other assigned clinical services within qualifications and scope of practice while maintaining FFT model requirements and program priorities.
Occasionally carry non-FFT cases to support community and program needs.
Complete required FFT training and model learning activities, and participate in consultation, clinical supervision, case review, and fidelity monitoring.
Use feedback and clinical data to strengthen practice; complete required model assessments, session planning, progress tracking, and fidelity documentation.
Complete at least 20 hours of required annual training, along with additional agency and FFT requirements.
Participate in team meetings and support new staff shadowing as assigned.
Maintain client files and accurate, timely clinical records, treatment plans, progress notes, assessments, and reports in electronic health record and applicable FFT systems.
Meet agency, payer, and contract documentation standards and follow service authorization requirements.
Maintain the program-established caseload, service frequency, and billable hours consistent with FFT delivery, clinical need, and quality of care.
Work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed to meet family availability; participate in the on-call process as assigned and follow response procedures.
Submit work diaries, timecards, mileage, and expenses within required timeframes.
Protect confidential information and follow agency compliance standards, including HIPAA guidelines.
Maintain professional boundaries, communicate respectfully, use supervision proactively, and complete other duties that support program and agency functions.
Attend and actively participate in Clinical Services team meetings, appropriately access supervision resources, and maintain billable hours at the level established by the program.