Therapist, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

The Guidance Center•Taylor, MI

About The Position

As a recognized leader in our field, The Guidance Center provides a broad range of services that have helped children, adults and families unlock potential and build better lives since 1958. With 25 programs, they offer treatment, prevention, growth and education services to more than 14,200 people annually. The Therapist will be responsible for developing therapeutic relationships with families and their very young children, assessing their needs, monitoring child development, providing parent-child psychotherapy and play therapy, crisis intervention, parent education, and coordinating services with other professionals. The role also involves advocating for children and families, assisting with evaluations, identifying barriers to services, assessing client satisfaction, maintaining community relationships, making referrals, participating in supervision and trainings, and completing clinical documentation and case records.

Requirements

Minimum of a Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling.
Possess the corresponding State of Michigan licensure (LLMSW, LLPC, TLLP, LMSW, LPC or LLP) or obtain state licensure within a 60-day training period (extendable by up to an additional 60 days).
All state licensure must continually remain active, in effect, and free from disciplinary action beyond the training period.
Meet criteria for Child Mental Health Professional credential within 120 days of hire.
One year of supervised experience in the examination, evaluation, and treatment of minors and their families.
Knowledge of child development.
A non-judgmental approach that reflects cultural sensitivity to the unique and diverse experiences of families served.
The ability to assess and intervene within complex family and community systems.
A willingness to be flexible, patient and creative.
Demonstrate competencies in observation of parent/child interaction, developmental assessment, diagnostic skills, understanding of the parallel process in therapeutic work, and collaboration with internal and external providers.
Valid driver’s license and appropriate driving record.
Ability to obtain a chauffeur’s license within 30 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Working toward a level II or III MI-AIMH Endorsement, which can be earned during the first two years of employment.

Responsibilities

Develop therapeutic relationships with families and their very young children.
Assess the needs of the infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families.
Monitor child development using developmental assessments.
Provide parent-child psychotherapy and play therapy.
Crisis intervention; including crisis phone contacts.
Provide parents with education and resources pertaining to child and family development.
Parent education, coaching and training.
Coordinate services with other professionals involved with the family.
Advocate on behalf of children and their families to help them meet their needs.
Assist families in scheduling evaluations as needed.
Help identify and eliminate barriers to services.
Assess client satisfaction with interventions.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with people and organizations in the community.
Make referrals to Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services as needed.
Participate in reflective supervision, team meetings, reflective case consultations and trainings.
Complete clinical documentation in a timely manner consistent with policies and procedures of The Guidance Center.
Develop, maintain, and review complete case records.
Maintain flexible work schedules.
Follow a professional code of ethics.
Represent The Guidance Center in the community.
Abide by the spirit and letter of the policies and procedures of The Guidance Center.
Achieve productivity goals.
Maintain a caseload as outlined in the Medicaid Home-Based service guidelines.
Must provide evidence of 25 hours of program and/or position specific training on an annual basis.
Other duties as assigned.