Primary Therapist

Position Summary

The Primary Therapist provides a full range of psychotherapy, counseling, and case management services for individuals, families, and groups within the scope of licensure and registration. This role conducts psychosocial screenings and assessments, develops individualized treatment plans, and delivers evidence-based clinical care for clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The Primary Therapist collaborates closely with the Clinical Director and interdisciplinary treatment team to ensure continuity of care from admission through discharge. This position supports ABC Recovery Center’s mission by delivering clinically sound, ethical, and compliant behavioral health treatment.

Position Accountability

Duties:

• Conduct initial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans; complete treatment plan updates with clinical team collaboration.
• Provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy, including psycho-educational groups.
• Assist clients in developing measurable treatment and discharge goals.
• Perform crisis interventions and apply evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Provide liaison support between clients and families.
• Maintain consistent communication with the Clinical Director or Designee about client progress and concerns.
• Ensure timely and thorough responses to Utilization Reviews and Concurrent Review documentation requests.
• Complete all CARF and state-required clinical documentation.
• Document all services and progress notes in the EMR following each therapy session (individual and group).
• Track clinical progress and coordinate client care across the continuum of services.
• Participate in weekly clinical and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Support the treatment team in planning and coordinating client movement through levels of care.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Federal, State, and County regulations, including HIPAA.
• Adhere to ethical and professional boundaries as required by ABC Recovery Center.
• Maintain licensure or registration in good standing, including required CEUs.
• Observe conflict-of-interest policies and notify supervisor of any outside employment.
• Provide supportive counseling and therapeutic interventions as aligned with treatment goals.
• Respond to client requests for individual sessions as appropriate.
• Support clients in developing support systems for long-term recovery and wellbeing.
• Collaborate closely with clinical, medical, administrative, and support staff.
• Contribute to an environment of respect, professionalism, and trauma-informed care.

Qualifications

• Level I: Must maintain a valid and current registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an AMFT, ACSW, or APCC.
• Level II: Must meet Level I qualifications and hold a current California license as an LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or PsyD.
• Level III: Must meet Level II qualifications; licensed at the independent level with extensive clinical experience.
• Level II-III: Licensed or Registered Associate (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or PsyD) with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences or applicable licensing board
• Level I: Minimum 1 year of professional experience in a behavioral health setting (substance abuse preferred).
• Level II: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience working with mental health and substance use disorders
• Level III: Minimum of 10 years of professional experience working with mental health and/or substance use disorders
• All Levels: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or Professional Counseling.
• Preferred: Coursework or advanced education in behavioral health, addiction studies, or co-occurring disorders.
• All Levels: Must hold current CPR and First Aid certification or obtain certification within 30 days of hire (training provided by employer)
• Preferred: Crisis intervention training
• All Levels: Valid California Driver’s License (required)
• All Levels: Bilingual in Spanish (preferred)
• All Levels: Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends as needed
• All Levels: Familiarity with treatment program structure and facility policies
• All Levels: Proficiency in clinical documentation and electronic health records (EHR)
• All Levels: Skilled in crisis de-escalation, safety planning, and behavioral interventions
• All Levels: Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• All Levels: Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• All Levels: Must be able to perform CPR and respond to medical emergencies as needed

Physical Demands

Work functions of this position are performed in a behavioral healthcare environment. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity

ABC Recovery Center, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EE) to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. It is our policy to abide by all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on a person's race (including hair texture and hairstyles), color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status, veteran status (including protected veterans), marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related), genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.