First Responder Therapist

Acadia Healthcare • Ocklawaha, FL

7d

About The Position

The Refuge – A Healing Place is seeking a Therapist responsible for supporting its first responder clients through their healing journey. The role provides individual, group, and family therapy and collaborates with clinicians, medical providers, and support staff. The Refuge offers evidence-based treatment for mental health and addiction diagnoses, with a nature-based, trauma-informed approach that combines process and psycho-educational groups with wellness modalities. The position may provide services in an inpatient or outpatient setting and may involve coordinating clinical, psychosocial, and educational activities with patients and their families.

Candidates should be grounded, empathetic, clinically skilled, and committed to trauma-informed care. Previous experience working with first responders or in the first responder field is preferred. The role requires a relevant master’s degree and state or national licensure for professional therapy providers; intern candidates may also be considered as specified in the posting. CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification are required, with training available upon hire. First aid may be required depending on state or facility. The position also requires a Level 2 Background Screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or another recognized therapeutic field.
• State or national licensure for professional therapy providers required.
• Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern or Registered Clinical Social Work Intern candidates are identified as eligible in the position overview.
• Two or more years of experience as a therapist, including at least one year of experience with the facility’s specific population.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Commitment to ethical, compassionate, client-centered care.
• CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required; training is available upon hire.
• First aid may be required depending on state or facility.
• Completion of a Level 2 Background Screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse.

Nice To Haves

• Fully licensed LCSW, LMFT, or LMHC preferred.
• Experience with trauma-informed care, addiction treatment, or residential settings preferred.
• Previous experience working with first responders or in the first responder field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply psychotherapeutic techniques and interventions to treat diagnosed emotional and behavioral health disorders in individuals and families.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop initial discharge plans.
• Conduct individual, group, or family sessions as appropriate to patients’ treatment plans.
• Develop initial treatment plans based on assessments, coordinate additional services, and revise plans as necessary.
• Document therapy services according to facility and professional standards, and revise documentation as needed.
• Maintain an assigned caseload.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and collaborate with staff to facilitate services consistent with patients’ treatment plans.
• Provide case management, discharge planning, or after-care planning according to treatment plans.
• May educate and train staff on behavior management or therapeutic crisis intervention.
• May coordinate clinical, psychosocial, or educational activities with patients and their families.
• Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers; acknowledge and work to resolve unmet patient needs and complaints.
• Prioritize patient safety.
• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• PTO and sick time.
• Employee Assistance Program, including employee and family counseling, financial assistance, and life-event preparation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level