Equine Assisted Outpatient Therapist

About the role

Bethany Christian Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring children are safe, loved, and connected through family. We strengthen families, support foster care and adoption, and walk alongside refugees with compassion.

Responsibilities

• Meet pre-defined and stipulated billable hours of minimum hour requirements per week in the office as defined by supervisor and program expectations;
• Complete and report on client intakes, closing summaries, and psychosocial documentations in a timely manner and in accordance with agency standards;
• Responsible for coordinating scheduling horse and Equine Professional if applicable;
• Apply trauma-informed and attachment-based modalities into the equine relationship;
• Views and treats psychological and behavioral disorders through a trauma lens by intentionally using horse physiology to assist with regulation;
• Provide reports and testimony in court, as requested;
• Present cases to the peer supervision group and receive feedback and suggested treatment modifications;
• Provide clinical supervision and instruction to student interns, as requested;
• Develop groups that provide innovative services to the agency and community;
• Participate in professional networking and public relations to further promote the Counseling Department;
• Attend weekly meetings with supervisor to consult on cases, to review case plan and direction, and to evaluate client participation and progress;
• Maintain clear and concise documentation of treatment efforts;
• Effectively utilize appropriate systems for data gathering, submission, and tracking client services rendered in accordance with time-bound expectations based on contract requirements, agency expectations, and program policy;
• Conduct weekly sessions with clients and/or families or as outlined in the therapeutic treatment plan;
• Establish and maintain referral and community resources;
• Participate in on-call system as dictated by program needs, if required;
• Stay abreast of all agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements related to social services;
• Stay up-to-date on treatment modalities and complete trainings as required by funding sources, by attending conferences, seminars and journal reading;
• Essential job responsibilities may vary based on the specific needs of each program/department;
• May be required or asked to participate in a Bethany sponsored event;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or related field of study from an accredited college;
• At least two (2) years of post-master’s program experience in child and family services or counseling;
• Superior comfort with horses and horse-handling abilities;
• Understanding equine temperament and how this ever-changing reality can be used to invite therapy clients into a better understanding of their own needs and skills;
• Prior work experience with co-occurring disorder treatment, preferred;
• Must have a broad knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methodology of Counseling/Therapy as acquired through a master’s level degree;
• Active professional licensure in the state of the work location;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated experience working with children and families from diverse cultures with sensitivity to cultural differences and norms;
• Demonstrated ability with providing excellent clinical, therapeutic, and crisis intervention skills;
• Capacity to engage, respect, and serve a wide range of clients with a nonjudgmental attitude, while empowering the clients served;
• Natural Lifemanship certification, preferred;
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Possess an ability to successfully pass Bethany Christian Services Counseling credentialing process;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver's license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany;
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.