Marriage and Family Therapist- Readjustment Counselor

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit the EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts (up to $200,000) and eligibility periods (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
• Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:
  • Hold a master’s degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE.
  • Hold a master’s degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Hold a master’s degree or doctoral degree in a comparable mental‑health field (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, or Psychiatry) that meets the current VA qualification standard for that profession.
• Licensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State, or qualify under the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard (applicable only to current VHA employees).

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria determine the grade of candidates:

• GS‑11 Marriage and Family Therapist (Full Performance Level):
  • Experience – Education and Licensure: Either
    • Completion of a minimum of one year of post‑master’s degree experience in marriage and family therapy (VA or non‑VA) and a state license at the independent practice level, or
    • A doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a comparable mental‑health degree may substitute for the required one year of experience and licensure.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members.
• Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy to individuals, groups, couples, and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing the client system.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Veterans, families, colleagues, and other professionals, collaborating on clinical, ethical, and legal issues.
• Knowledge of statutes, case law, ethical codes, regulations, and VA policies affecting marriage and family therapy practice, including informing Veterans and families about treatment decisions and confidentiality limits.
• Ability to provide orientation, training, and consultation to new MFTs, supervise graduate MFT students, and/or provide clinical supervision to pre‑licensure MFTs.
• Proficiency with computer software for drafting documents, data management, accurate clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements.

Preferred Experience

• Experience at the independent practice level (GS‑11) in assessing psychosocial functioning of individuals and families and providing counseling services to couples and families using family systems theory/therapy interventions.

Physical Requirements

The work does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodation.

Duties

• Ensure delivery of evidence‑based practices in suicide prevention and crisis intervention using the Engagement‑Assessment‑Planning‑Implementation‑Evaluation model.
• Provide crisis risk assessment and emergency crisis interventions to a complex, high‑risk population.
• Offer specialty consultation and collaboration with Veteran Crisis Lines, Suicide Prevention Coordinators, and other approved constituents (family, VA providers, caregivers, Veterans Service Officers, law enforcement, etc.) to coordinate expedited treatment, resources, and emergency services.
• Demonstrate a wide variety of crisis‑intervention skills through incoming and outgoing telephone calls.
• Navigate specialized software applications, utilize data to provide effective service, and accurately document work.
• Determine appropriate level of care for each client.
• Contact clients via telephone and conduct follow‑up interviews.
• Collaborate with members of the Readjustment Counseling Service Crisis Hotline Program to identify appropriate services for Veterans and their families.
• Assist clients and their families with mental‑health issues, referrals, benefits, and support groups.
• Provide customer service to callers from across the U.S. and overseas military installations.
• Assess potential harm to self or others and provide consistent, accurate information regarding policies, handling conflicts proactively.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Telework

Available on an ad‑hoc basis.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not authorized.

Contact Information

For EDRP questions or assistance, contact the EDRP Coordinator at VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov.