Job Details

Mental Health Therapist

  2025-05-29     Transitions-Mental Health Association     San Luis Obispo,CA  
Description:

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Position Title : Mental Health Therapist

Program : Veteran's Wellness Program (VetWell)

Position Summary

The Veteran's Wellness Program engages Veterans, their families, and support persons to provide treatment and ancillary supports to those managing mental health issues, relationship concerns, co-occurring disorders, and trauma. Clients are offered services in a manner that encourages hope while promoting resiliency, growth and recovery. The VetWell team values professional and cultural humility, as well as self-reflection and personal growth/recovery, in an effort to provide high quality client care and promote wellness within the team. The VetWell Mental Health Therapist will provide a full range of trauma informed services including assessment, individualized treatment planning, therapeutic services, personal service coordination, rehabilitation services, integrated co-occurring mental health treatment, social skills development, integrated vocational services, supported education and access to support services. Under direction of the Vet Well Team Clinical Program Administrator, the Mental Health Therapist provides clinical consultation and subject expertise for the team and ensures that each team member's observations and interactions with the clients are considered for individual treatment planning. The Mental Health Therapist works as a member of the VetWell Program multi-disciplinary team, and performs related duties as required.

Hours/ Salary

Full-time, non-exempt position. 40 hours per week. Anticipated hiring range is $33.50-$35.00. Includes a generous individual benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life, 403b retirement (with up to a 5% employer match) paid vacation/holiday time, paid sick time and a variety of helpful employee perks as well. (*Full Salary Schedule $33.50-$48.00 per hour).

Employee Perks/ Work Culture

A few of our helpful employee benefits include membership discounts to various local fitness centers, as well as a voucher to Sycamore Mineral Springs for discounts. We offer years of service gift cards to businesses of your choice. We offer gift cards for walking, biking, or carpooling to work as well as 20% discount for shopping at our Growing Grounds Downtown Store/Nursey/ Farm. We host two employee appreciation events for employees and their families yearly. We practice Trauma Informed Care Principles, Guidelines for Collaborative Conversations, and encourage the use of pronouns. We mindfully promote equality, respect and diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the fascinating characteristics that make us different! TMHA is also a pet friendly workplace (upon approval)!

Mission Statement:

Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community and family support services.

Organization Description

Transitions - Mental Health Association is a leading non-profit agency committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals and families by inspiring hope, growth, recovery and wellness in our communities. TMHA has decades of experience with teams of compassionate staff. TMHA is a driving force in improving mental health and wellness in our communities and a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and individual contributions.

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Provide a wellness and recovery approach to service delivery for all clients. Foster and maintain a collaborative team approach with the VetWell team members. Model a client centered, trauma-informed approach to service delivery.

2. Provide and participate in trainings on best practices and evidenced based approaches to service delivery including: integrated treatment of co-occurring disorders, Dialectic Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, Trauma Informed Care (trainings provided, as needed, and approved by Vet Well Team Clinical Manager).

3. Work with and train team members, clients and family members on mental health services and/or drug or alcohol abuse prevention strategies as part of developing a holistic wellness and recovery plan for the clients.

4. Participate in case review and coordination meetings with teammates. Assess and interview potential clients to determine if requirements for admission into VetWell Program services are met, or if referral elsewhere is most appropriate. Collaborate with other community providers for coordination of care and additional services.

5. Provide therapy, education and rehabilitation services for individuals, couples, or members of a family. Assist clients in achieving productive social adjustments reducing the impact of disabling disorders, and facilitate the achievement of family, vocational, recreational, legal and interpersonal goals.

6. Document clinical activity in a timely manner, meeting program outcomes, in an electronic medical records system, presenting diagnostic and interview findings, clinical evaluations, and recommendations as a member of an interdisciplinary team; Must document and provide at least one contact with each client per week.

7. Provide crisis counseling in the field and in the office for individuals experiencing acute episodes; evaluate clients and arrange for voluntary or involuntary admission to facilities for observation and treatment.

8. Confer with and advise clients' families to promote their understanding of and cooperation in treatment and rehabilitation programs.

9. Maintain a caseload of 15-20 therapy clients to assure continuity of care and assure that clients receive appropriate types of service; co-facilitate assigned groups.

10. Promote, encourage and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities. Practice and promote, both individually and in team meetings, TMHA's Collaborative Communication Guidelines in order to facilitate clear, empathetic and person-centered communication.

11. Cooperate and work with other agencies and practitioners.

12. Educate clients, and their families regarding their diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and the rehabilitation process.

13. Assist clients to obtain stable housing, physical health care, benefits and entitlements, and to learn basic living skills.

14. Participate in ongoing quality assurance and program evaluations.

15. Assist with interviewing, hiring, and training of new staff, as needed.

16. All other duties as assigned by the VetWell Team Clinical Program Administrator.

Job Environment:

  1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit.
  2. Frequent driving required.
  3. Daily and frequent documentation of client services on the computer.
  4. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
  5. Involves moderate risks that require safety precautions and the risk of exposure to potentially intense situations.
  6. Typical workweek is daytime, Monday to Friday.
Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Possession of a valid license as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT); a registered associate progressing toward licensure or a MFT trainee. Working knowledge of: assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions; methods of developing and implementing a treatment plan; human service delivery system; current trends in the field of mental health; and laws and regulations applicable to mental health. Ability to: perform effective counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; develop and maintain cooperative relationships with clients' families, members of other professional disciplines, social service agencies, and co-workers; relate professionally with persons with serious mental disorders; identify and utilize community resources; prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports.Must have experience working with persons with severe and persistent mental illness, co-occurring disorders, personality disorders/complex trauma and be comfortable treating those with acute and complex presentations/histories (multiple hospitalizations for mental health issues, forensic backgrounds). Must have a strong commitment to the right and ability of each person to live in a safe living environment, develop a meaningful role in the community, and have access to competent and continuous supports and services. Must have a strong commitment in clients' rights to self-govern and create their own choices and goals. Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral, written, and communication skills. Well defined organizational and time management skills. Ability to work independently and flexibly. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure. Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level. Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health. Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace. Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction. Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees. Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different. Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services. Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity. Must use reasonable precaution in the performance of one's duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one's self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business. Conditions of employment include: Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver's License, at least 2 years driving experience and DMV driving record that meets TMHA's current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to utilize reliable personal vehicle and auto insurance. Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting. Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

Preferred Experience:

The ideal candidate is a Veteran or a family member of a Veteran and has some understanding of the unique needs and challenges that may arise when working with a Veteran population.

Physical Demands:
  1. Seeing
  2. Hearing
  3. Speaking
  4. Stooping/Bending
  5. Moving around office
  6. Moving between offices/clients
  7. Driving
  8. Climbing
  9. Lifting/carrying heavy items
  10. Computer use
  11. Pushing/pulling/dragging items
  12. Standing for long periods
  13. Working outside
  14. Using hands/fingers


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