Therapist

ALI FORNEY CENTER•New York, NY

12d•$64,800 - $64,800•Onsite

About The Position

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is dedicated to protecting LGBTQ+ youth from the harms of homelessness and empowering them with the tools needed to live independently. Founded in 2002, AFC provides comprehensive services, including housing, healthcare, and educational support to over 2,000 youth annually. AFC's mission is to create an affirming and supportive environment where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. This position is responsible for providing direct therapeutic services to clients of AFC, who have various mental health diagnoses and psychosocial needs. This role is responsible for maintaining a caseload of ongoing therapy clients, facilitating therapeutic and activity groups, supporting the management of psychiatric clinics, case conferencing, and helping to coordinate staff trainings around mental health issues and other clinical topics. A client-centered, harm reduction, and trauma-informed approach is essential.

Requirements

Master’s Degree MSW required, LMSW or LCSW strongly preferred
2 years of experience working with youth required, preferably with queer and trans, homeless populations
Competence in conducting comprehensive mental health and substance use assessments.
Applies evidence-based therapeutic techniques (e.g., motivational interviewing, CBT, behavioral activation) to meet diverse client needs.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of DSM-5 diagnoses and clinical best practices.
Effectively develops and monitors treatment plans and safety plans with a harm reduction and trauma-informed lens.
Provides compassionate, nonjudgmental care that prioritizes client dignity, autonomy, and choice.
Adapts therapeutic approaches to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+, homeless, and marginalized populations.
Engages clients in a manner that builds trust and supports long-term engagement in services.
Demonstrates competence in risk assessment, crisis de-escalation, and suicide prevention.
Responds effectively to emergencies and collaborates with care teams to ensure client safety.
Balances immediate crisis needs with long-term therapeutic goals.
Communicates clearly and professionally in both verbal and written forms, including clinical documentation.
Provides psychoeducation to clients, families, and staff in a way that is accessible and culturally responsive.
Actively participates in treatment planning, staff meetings, and clinical supervision.
Applies a strong understanding of systemic barriers impacting LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and homeless communities.
Incorporates anti-oppressive frameworks into therapeutic work.
Provides affirming and inclusive care for queer, trans, and gender-expansive clients.
Effective verbal and written communication.
Ability to multitask and manage different priorities under pressure.
Ability to work independently and with others.
Experience working with adolescents/young adults.
Knowledge of psychosocial needs of LGBTQ/homeless population.
Knowledgeable in the skills of clinical assessment and therapeutic engagement.
Ability to use resources to problem solve.
Competence in conducting safety and risk assessments, including suicide and crisis intervention.
Experience providing trauma informed, antioppressive, and harm reduction care.
Knowledge of DSM-5 diagnoses is required.
Computer literacy, including knowledge of basic software applications (Google suite).
Familiarity with the internet and email communications.
Enters data and produces reports using agency systems with accuracy and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

LMSW or LCSW strongly preferred
preferably with queer and trans, homeless populations
Multilanguage speaking candidates are encouraged to apply (Spanish, French, etc.).
Transgender and gender non-conforming people are encouraged to apply.
People with lived experience of homelessness encouraged to apply.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Maintain a caseload of Ali Forney Center clients, offering weekly psychotherapy.
Conduct assessments for mental health and substance use disorders
Provide brief counseling or psychotherapy using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, motivational interviewing, or other relevant skills.
Provide or facilitate internal or external referrals to treatments as clinically indicated.
Conduct safety assessments for clients presenting with risk of self-harm, suicidality, self harm, or harm to others, and create/revise safety plans accordingly.
Meet with clients weekly (or as appropriate for the client), document the progress of their care.
Coordinate with clients’ care teams and staff to support client mental health.
Consult with clients and care teams to discuss mental health needs.
Provide psychoeducation about conditions and care instructions.
Assist care teams with assessing and developing mental health interventions.
Develop and facilitate mental health groups for clients.
Provide support to Treatment Teams across all AFC programs for clients with mental health needs.
Attend weekly treatment planning meetings and clinical supervision (provided by LCSW).
Assist with coordinating psychiatric services for clients.
Create and facilitate clinical trainings for staff including, but not limited to Harm Reduction, Mental Health First Aid, Strengths Based Care, etc.
Conduct agency intakes assessments.
Provide daily coverage in the Community Room and throughout drop-in, as needed.
Develop client treatment plans and reassess quarterly.
Communicate treatment plans with staff and client care team, and provide guidance on how to follow plan successfully
Create safety plans with clients utilizing harm reduction techniques and share with care team members.
Document psychotherapy and group work in progress notes.
Ensure client services are documented in a timely manner.
Maintain client confidentiality and quality care.
Attend weekly staff and treatment team meetings.
Attend ongoing training and courses to keep abreast of new developments in healthcare.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor.