Mental Health Clinician (AMFT, ACSW)

Downtown Women's Center•Los Angeles, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

DWC is seeking a full-time Mental Health Clinician to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed clinical services to formerly unhoused participants in a site-based housing setting, with the overarching goal of promoting housing stability. The Mental Health Clinician will engage residents in their home environment in biopsychosocial assessment & treatment planning, and will provide clinical support, individual & group counseling, crisis intervention and de-escalation, and consultation to a multi-disciplinary team. The Mental Health Clinician is a member of the Community Based Housing Department and reports directly to the Director- Domestic Violence Housing. Provide trauma informed, culturally responsive therapeutic services to participants, including individual and group therapy, crisis intervention and coordination of substance abuse and mental health treatment for residents with co-occurring disorders across two housing sites. Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and engage participants in establishing goals for mental health treatment and recovery. Carry a caseload of 15 therapy clients and provide brief, evidence-based treatment. Provide effective crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation, including risk assessment, safety planning and follow-up interventions as needed. Provide individualized therapy services that are aligned with clients’ individual service plans to promote housing stability and address each client’s needs and goals. Identify and provide needed resources and referrals, including housing-related assistance, basic needs support, medical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, vocational support, and public benefits including SSI as needed. Work to effectively meet clients’ needs and resolve individual barriers through follow-up, advocacy, and collaboration with DWC staff and other community service providers. Develop and maintain relationships with participants, staff and community providers Assist staff with clinical consultation, care coordination and coaching around clinical interventions and de-escalation techniques as needed Lead weekly care coordination groups with Community Based Housing staff Comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations around confidentiality and mandated reporting Maintain accurate and timely records per contract and DWC Documentation Policy, including required program paperwork, mental health and case management progress notes, incident reports, and documentation of services provided to each client Provide regular, written reports to the Director – Domestic Violence Housing and additional reports as assigned Participate in individual and group supervision, multidisciplinary team meetings, and required training Serve as an ambassador of DWC and its mission and values by participating in community meetings/collaboratives/events Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or family therapy required (AMFT, ACSW)
Current BBS registration in the State of California required
Experience working in social services; homeless services experience strongly preferred
Experience providing trauma-informed care preferred
Crisis intervention experience, and familiarity and comfort working with issues related to homelessness, substance abuse, mental health diagnosis, and history of trauma required
Knowledge and training in EBPs (i.e. Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, CBT, DBT, Trauma-Informed Care) preferred
Knowledge and experience with clinical assessment, treatment planning and diagnosis required
Comfortability engaging clients in their homes
Knowledge of local resources available to individuals experiencing homelessness preferred
Excellent active listening and crisis intervention skills with ability to exercise and model good judgment
Strong written and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences
Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, including proficiency in balancing direct service responsibilities and record-keeping
Cultural humility; knowledge of communities that are disproportionately represented in the homeless population (communities of color, LGBTQ+ etc.)
Ability to solve problems by being resourceful and using creativity
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Oral and written fluency in English required; Spanish a plus
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) required
Must be a CA resident and live at least 80 miles from the office and must be available for in-person meetings at the DWC offices.
Must provide documentation of a negative TB test result within the last twelve months, on first day of hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in social services; homeless services experience strongly preferred
Experience providing trauma-informed care preferred
Knowledge and training in EBPs (i.e. Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, CBT, DBT, Trauma-Informed Care) preferred
Oral and written fluency in English required; Spanish a plus

Responsibilities

Provide trauma informed, culturally responsive therapeutic services to participants, including individual and group therapy, crisis intervention and coordination of substance abuse and mental health treatment for residents with co-occurring disorders across two housing sites.
Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and engage participants in establishing goals for mental health treatment and recovery.
Carry a caseload of 15 therapy clients and provide brief, evidence-based treatment.
Provide effective crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation, including risk assessment, safety planning and follow-up interventions as needed.
Provide individualized therapy services that are aligned with clients’ individual service plans to promote housing stability and address each client’s needs and goals.
Identify and provide needed resources and referrals, including housing-related assistance, basic needs support, medical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, vocational support, and public benefits including SSI as needed.
Work to effectively meet clients’ needs and resolve individual barriers through follow-up, advocacy, and collaboration with DWC staff and other community service providers.
Develop and maintain relationships with participants, staff and community providers
Assist staff with clinical consultation, care coordination and coaching around clinical interventions and de-escalation techniques as needed
Lead weekly care coordination groups with Community Based Housing staff
Comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations around confidentiality and mandated reporting
Maintain accurate and timely records per contract and DWC Documentation Policy, including required program paperwork, mental health and case management progress notes, incident reports, and documentation of services provided to each client
Provide regular, written reports to the Director – Domestic Violence Housing and additional reports as assigned
Participate in individual and group supervision, multidisciplinary team meetings, and required training
Serve as an ambassador of DWC and its mission and values by participating in community meetings/collaboratives/events
Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization