Reach Therapist
Summary
At Pace we transform girls’ lives through academic and counseling programs based on a gender-responsive, strength-based and trauma-informed framework. Team members create a safe place for girls to learn, grow, and heal. The Therapist role provides community-based prevention, diversion, and early intervention services to girls ages 11-17. This position is aimed at helping girls build resiliency and decrease risk-related behaviors through the application of a holistic clinical framework.
Required Qualifications and Education Requirements
Master’s degree required with a major in Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy or related field required
Minimum three to five years’ experience required, preferably working with at-risk youth
Current driver’s license required
Licensed as a Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist or Clinical Social Worker or meet licensing eligibility as a registered intern
Understand culturally relevant needs of diverse populations
Knowledge of case management and community behavioral health practices
Youth development knowledge
Experience using personal computers and basic office equipment required
Knowledge of laws relating to youth and families
Roles and Responsibilities
Increase girls’ resiliency by building protective factors at the individual, family and community levels
Address risk factors using holistic assessment, goal setting, and care plan development, and through provision of targeted clinical interventions
Empower girls and families by improving relationships, increasing self-efficacy, and encouraging self-advocacy, and to make decisions that will lead to productive, fulfilling, and healthy lives
Utilize the Transtheoretical Model of Change and Cultural-Relational Theory, considering any history of trauma and leveraging girls’ strengths
Provide weekly therapy services to girls in a variety of settings (school/home/community/center) using evidenced-based and research-informed therapeutic interventions
Family support/counseling with caregivers to encourage girl progression in the change process and to work with girls’ natural support systems
Provide solution-focused counseling approaches toward the resolution of risk factors for substance abuse following the standards of the Florida Administrative Codes Chapter 65D-30
Crisis intervention as warranted, including risk assessments and family support
Provide psycho-educational and therapy groups that are girl-centered, focusing on social-emotional and life skill development
Provide wrap-around care (case) management services, including transportation services when needed, collaborate with outside entities and community providers involved in girls’ care, make referrals as appropriate, and advocate for needed resources
Non-Direct Care Services, Care Planning, and Monitoring
Engage in clinical supervision for girls served and contribute clinical knowledge to the care planning team
Advocate within the community by attending conferences and public speaking events
Review eligibility requirements for girls entering the program, complete enrollment paperwork, biopsychosocial assessments, clinical documentation, screening tools, care plans and transition plans
Collaborate with schools and community agencies to support the change process of girls, infusing Gender-Responsive, Trauma-Informed, and Strength-based programming
Contribute positively toward programmatic outcomes and the collection of data
Additional Qualifications and Requirements
Ensures the integration of the Six Developmental Domains and Gender Responsive programming in daily practices
Must adhere to the Pace Center for Girls Values and Guiding Principles and upholds the ethical standards of the Agency
Follows mission, values and principles, policies and procedures of the Pace Center for Girls
Availability to work evenings and weekends as required to fulfill workload requirements
Must be able to travel by automobile, plane, train, etc.; occasional overnight travel may be required
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics can be stressful, is fast-paced and requires alertness and flexibility. The noise level is usually quiet; however, noise can accelerate to moderate and high levels. This position requires a Level II pre-employment background screening pursuant to Chapters 435, 984, 985 and 943, Florida Statutes, and the Department of Juvenile Justice policy and procedures. Additional information is available through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website: https://info.flclearinghouse.com.