Mental Health Therapist (Outpatient)

Discovery Behavioral Health•Fairfax, VA

3d•$70,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program, part of Discovery Behavioral Health, provides evidence-based and inclusive behavioral healthcare. The Associate Therapist works within a multidisciplinary team to provide treatment according to the Discovery Clinical Model. The role includes supporting patient safety, providing milieu interventions, leading psychoeducational and process-oriented therapy groups, facilitating clinical assessments, conducting therapy sessions, and completing case management tasks. The position operates under supervision and is not fully licensed. The role maintains a caseload of 10–15 patients in outpatient care or 5–6 patients in residential treatment, and completes therapy sessions and family or support-system sessions appropriate to each patient’s level of care. It includes documentation, admission and discharge planning, family engagement, utilization reviews, crisis response, and coordination with treatment team members and outside providers. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and is on-site in Fairfax, Virginia. Compensation depends on role and licensure: Associate Therapist $70,000–$85,000; fully licensed Therapist $80,000–$95,000; Senior Therapist $90,000–$100,000.

Requirements

Master’s or doctorate degree in a relevant field.
Completion of state requirements to conduct therapeutic interventions.
Operates under supervision and is not fully licensed.
Current driver’s license in good standing.

Responsibilities

Complete clinical documentation in a timely manner, at the time of service.
Establish therapeutic rapport with patients and their families or loved ones.
Facilitate admission assessments and the admission process professionally and support timely access to care.
Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and communicate weekly treatment goals to team members.
Maintain a caseload of 5–6 patients in residential treatment or 10–15 patients in outpatient care.
Complete assigned therapy sessions, including family or support-system sessions appropriate to patients’ level of care.
Facilitate process-oriented and psychoeducational groups: one to two times daily in residential treatment and 2–4 times daily in outpatient care.
Sit at a meal and/or snack at least once per week.
Facilitate multi-family groups, family programming, and/or family weekends.
Provide utilization reviews to insurance companies to obtain initial and continuing-stay authorizations.
Remain accessible to family members and loved ones, returning calls and emails within two hours during business hours and within 24–48 hours at other times.
Assess patients for suicidality and possible danger to themselves or others.
Provide additional clinical support for other clinical team members when they are absent, as needed.
Communicate with the Utilization Review and Business departments regarding authorization and payment.
Begin discharge planning on the day of admission.
Conduct discharge sessions to ensure patients understand and have coping skills, transition plans, and resources in place.
Confirm discharge appointments with patients and loved ones before discharge.
Communicate with referral sources and outpatient providers at admission, midpoint, and discharge to support continuity of care.
Facilitate transfers to a higher level of care when needed.
Participate in clinical outreach and program tours as needed.
Manage crises in sessions and the milieu effectively.
Support milieu staff in their interactions with patients and loved ones.
Collaborate with the treatment team and milieu staff to maintain high clinical quality.
Complete other assigned tasks.
For residential treatment only, provide facility on-call support at least once per month, return program calls within 20 minutes while on call, and communicate pertinent facility issues to the On Call Administrator or Regional Director.