Staff Therapist II - CARES

LA FAMILIA • Hayward, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join La Familia’s CARES team and play a critical role in supporting individuals navigating the transition from incarceration. This position is ideal for a clinician who is passionate about stabilization, reintegration, and community-based healing, and who thrives in fast-paced, collaborative, and client-centered environments. Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor and Director of Diversion and Reentry, the Staff Therapist provides trauma-informed, short-term, and transitional mental health services designed to stabilize individuals, reduce recidivism and hospitalization, and promote successful reintegration into the community. Key areas of impact include: Reentry-focused care – Support individuals returning to the community from incarceration or institutional settings through assessment, stabilization, and connection to ongoing services. Respite-based services – Provide short-term, voluntary, non-hospital alternatives for individuals experiencing emotional distress or psychiatric crises. Crisis intervention and stabilization – Deliver immediate, responsive care using de-escalation, safety planning, and strengths-based approaches. Continuity of care – Ensure smooth transitions through discharge planning, warm hand-offs, and coordination with internal and external providers. Community integration – Assist clients in building skills, accessing resources, and establishing stability in housing, relationships, and wellness. This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture. This position is covered under the SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows: January 2027: 3% base pay increase Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in social work, psychology or related field (e.g. PhD, PSYD, LCSW, MFT, ASW, and AMFT), and registration with the California BBS/BOP (or able to show proof of pending application) required.
• Bilingual Spanish/English strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of modern family therapy, including structural and strategic family therapies, multidimensional family therapy, multisystemic family therapy and/or functional family therapy.
• Knowledge of diagnostic interviewing, and experience with psychotherapy, including brief therapy and behavior change, stages of change, basics of case management, systems theory, family therapy, community psychology, and community mental health.
• Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred.
• Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties.
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace products.
• Valid CA Driver’s license required.
• Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish/English strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments with emphasis on reentry needs, crisis history, risk factors, and immediate stabilization goals
• Provide short-term individual, family, and group therapy focused on stabilization, coping skills, emotional regulation, and transition planning
• Deliver crisis intervention, including risk assessment, safety planning, and de-escalation for individuals in acute distress
• Support individuals transitioning from incarceration, hospitalization, or crisis episodes in developing reentry and reintegration plans
• Facilitate psychoeducational and skill-building groups (e.g., coping skills, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, life skills, and community reintegration)
• Provide services in multiple settings including respite sites, clinics, client homes, and community locations, including evenings as needed
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including case managers, probation/parole, housing providers, peer staff, and community partners
• Coordinate and execute warm hand-offs and referrals to long-term treatment, primary care, substance use services, housing, and other supports
• Support clients in identifying and accessing resources critical to stability (housing, employment, benefits, healthcare)
• Engage clients using trauma-informed, harm reduction, and culturally responsive approaches
• Prioritize workload and allocate resources to maintain service delivery during staffing gaps.
• Communicate staffing needs and operational impacts to leadership promptly.
• Provide trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive care tailored to individuals impacted by incarceration, systemic inequities, and behavioral health challenges
• Develop and implement brief, goal-oriented treatment plans focused on stabilization, safety, and transition readiness
• Apply evidence-based and promising practices relevant to reentry and crisis care (e.g., CBT-informed interventions, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy)
• Continuously assess risk, protective factors, and readiness for transition to lower or higher levels of care
• Adapt interventions to meet the needs of individuals in acute distress or early stages of recovery
• Evaluate effectiveness of interventions and adjust plans to support successful discharge and continuity of care
• Maintain strong therapeutic alliances while working within short-term and transitional service models
• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities.
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for the responsible function areas.
• Leads and collaborates on projects supporting Agency objectives.
• Demonstrates ethics and integrity
• Displays drive and purpose
• Manages self and adapts to change
• Practice self-awareness and continuous learning
• Exhibit inspirational leadership by being highly responsive, leading a team to resolve immediate issues while strategically and inclusively addressing root causes.
• Develop staff by providing support to allow them to flourish in their roles, and promote a culture where everyone is valued and included, fostering a sense of belonging in an environment where employees can reach their full potential.
• Practices cultural humility and cultural responsiveness when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, while practicing appropriate boundaries.
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals
• Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness.
• Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management.
• Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times.
• Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
• Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing.
• Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues.
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave.
• Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution.
• Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients, where appropriate.
• Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
• Accepts accountability and constructive feedback.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation.
• Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, executive staff, and community stakeholders.
• Handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals in a tactful and effective manner to maintain goodwill within the agency.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family’s well-being and finances
• Pet Plan Benefit: PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours
• flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed.
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
• structured mentorship and ongoing training.

What This Job Offers

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