Residential Therapist

LYDIA HOME ASSOCIATION•Evanston, IL

2d•$50,000 - $52,624•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves providing holistic and collaborative treatment planning and therapy for children and their families. The Residential Therapist will work with clients on issues such as attachment, trust, safety, emotional regulation, family relationships, trauma, and future planning. The position requires active participation in family engagement, therapy sessions, and collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders to ensure the client's progress and successful transition to less restrictive settings. The role also involves significant documentation, participation in program development, and adherence to agency policies and professional standards.

Requirements

Must be a qualified mental health professional.
Must have a master's degree or doctoral level degree from an accredited school of psychology or social work or an equivalent degree in a human services field.
Must possess skills to work effectively with children and their families.
Must demonstrate good writing and social skills.
Must be able to communicate and work cooperatively with members of the child care team and community systems/agencies.
Must demonstrate the ability to conceptualize diagnostically.
Must demonstrate the ability to appropriately implement therapeutic interventions.
Must maintain appropriate boundaries.
Must complete tasks in a timely manner.
Must be sensitive to client needs.
Must be willing and able to support the mission of Lydia Home Association (LHA).

Responsibilities

Holistic and collaborative treatment planning for the client and their support network, including analysis of strengths, needs, and factors affecting placement.
Provide diagnostic conceptualization of client's symptoms and presenting issues.
Provide individual and group therapy sessions for children focusing on specified treatment plan issues.
Participate in family engagement and conduct family therapy to develop healthy attachment, prepare for step-down, teach application of learned skills, and provide parent coaching.
Oversee the development and maintenance of relationships with parents, siblings, caregivers, and other supports.
Collaboratively plan and implement designated plans for the child's transition to their next placement setting.
Develop strategies and plans for client's behavior management and problem-solving abilities, incorporating motivational incentives.
Oversee case management of assigned clients in the absence of the case manager.
Write case documentation, including Medicaid-compliant casenotes, weekly client/family contact, and consultations.
Complete required paperwork such as IM+CANS Reports, treatment plans, and clinical summaries.
Complete paperwork in a timely manner.
Participate in program development related to therapeutic principles and engage in trainings on ARC and SMART frameworks.
Co-lead bi-weekly trainings on the milieu with the unit supervisor.
Participate in ongoing training programs and conduct trainings when assigned.
Attend client consultations, staffings, internal agency staffings, and Child Family Team Meetings.
Attend hospital staffings if a client is psychiatrically hospitalized and formulate a plan for the client's return.
Provide therapeutic support to youth while hospitalized.
Participate in decision-making regarding client mentors and initial meetings, and check in on client reactions to mentors.
Collaborate with school personnel regarding the client’s emotional and behavioral functioning.
Obtain consents for release of information.
May represent child at court hearings, presenting testimony.
May collaborate with outside treatment providers and ensure collaboration takes place.
May attend Administrative Case Reviews.
Maintain current licensure/certification for QMHP or LPHA.
Participate in quality assurance/quality improvement activities.
Adhere to approved schedules and obtain approval for changes and time off.
Participate in informal and formal supervision.
Follow agency and residential policies and procedures, comply with mandated reporting guidelines, and maintain client confidentiality and HIPAA standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.