Mental Health Therapist (Foster Care)

Stars Behavioral Health Group • San Leandro, CA

5d

About The Position

The Mental Health Therapist provides mental health services, including assessment and evaluation, psychotherapy, and case management, to foster care youth ages 3–21 and their families or caregivers. The role collaborates with clients, families, school personnel, community agencies, and internal clinical and support teams, and serves as a liaison with external agencies. The therapist documents and bills for clinical services, completes outcome information, and is available by phone to support crisis intervention and problem resolution.

The community-based foster care program serves Alameda County youth placed within 90 miles of the San Leandro site. Its strength-based, relational, team approach supports youth who have experienced serious trauma and loss, addressing emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, trauma, interpersonal relationships, and healthy coping skills. Services may also support independent living, housing, and educational and vocational goals.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a mental health field; psychology, social work, child care counseling, or development preferred.
• Two years of experience in a mental health field.
• Registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an AMFT, ASW, or APCC, or California licensure as an LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC.
• One year of direct-service experience with emotionally disturbed youth in an inpatient or outpatient health care setting; student internship or practicum time may be substituted.
• Valid California driver’s license, automobile insurance, and regular access to an automobile.

Nice To Haves

• Background in psychology, social work, child care counseling, or development.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment, evaluation, psychotherapy, and case management to foster care youth and their significant others.
• Work with clients, families, school personnel, community agencies, and other relevant parties to promote rehabilitation and improve social and emotional daily functioning.
• Act as a liaison with external agencies, including child and family services, behavioral health services, probation, dependency court, and police, to support youths’ adjustment in daily life.
• Help prepare youth for lasting academic and personal functioning through counseling, shadowing, training, modeling, and other appropriate interventions.
• Support appropriate housing, vocational, educational, and treatment experiences.
• Be available by phone for crisis intervention, support, and problem resolution.
• Document and bill for clinical services and complete outcome information.

Benefits

• Supervision for Board of Behavioral Sciences hours for MFTI and ACSW staff.
• Competitive compensation.
• Company-paid benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision, as well as other voluntary benefits.
• Vacation and holiday pay.
• Paid continuing education unit opportunities and career development.
• Flexible work schedule and environment.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Career growth opportunities.
• On-the-job training.

What This Job Offers

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