Psychology Associate

About the role

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services supports individuals by promoting recovery, self‑determination, and wellness in all aspects of life. DBHDS operates 12 facilities, including 8 adult behavioral health facilities, a training center, a psychiatric facility for children and adolescents, a medical center, and a center for behavioral rehabilitation. State facilities provide highly structured, intensive services for individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability, or substance use disorder needs. This position is located at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute, a 72‑bed Joint Commission accredited State Mental Health Facility in Danville, VA. The incumbent will provide a full range of psychological services for individuals diagnosed with serious, persistent mental illnesses served by SVMHI, in compliance with hospital policies, DBHDS policies, and pertinent sections of the Code of Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive psychological services, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for individuals with serious, persistent mental illness.
• Conduct individual and group therapy sessions using evidence‑based psychotherapeutic approaches.
• Administer and score basic psychological testing instruments.
• Develop behavioral assistance plans based on analysis of behavior patterns.
• Collaborate effectively within a multi‑disciplinary treatment team.
• Apply strong crisis management skills to address urgent situations.
• Maintain accurate records and utilize basic computer applications (word processing, computerized test scoring, etc.).

Requirements

• Master’s degree in clinical or counseling psychology or equivalent.
• Knowledge and experience providing individual and group therapy.
• Experience working in an inpatient setting with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.
• Proficiency in the administration and scoring of basic psychological testing instruments.
• Strong psychotherapeutic skills.
• Proficiency in assessing and treating individuals with a variety of clinical presentations.
• Familiarity with psychosocial rehabilitation and the recovery model.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze behavior patterns and develop behavioral assistance plans.
• Ability to work effectively within a multi‑disciplinary treatment team.
• Strong crisis management skills.
• Basic computer skills (word processing, computerized test scoring, etc.).

Qualifications

• Licensed through the Virginia Department of Health Professions as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for independent clinical services, or eligible for licensure (LPC‑A, resident in counseling) to provide supervised clinical services.

Skills

• Psychotherapeutic intervention and counseling.
• Crisis assessment and management.
• Psychological testing administration and scoring.
• Behavioral analysis and plan development.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Team‑based multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Basic computer proficiency (word processing, test scoring software).

Pay

Hiring range: $70,701 – $97,567; Pay Band: 5.

Schedule

Five 8‑hour days per week, including Sunday through Thursday.