DELAWARE GUIDANCE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN is hiring: Community Services Therapist

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware. We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and we are the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO. In 2020, we were honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma-informed approach.

Through DGS, clients and families have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school-based services. Our community-based service lines serve youth and families who require a more intense therapeutic protocol. DGS’ 24-hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatches skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises. Therapeutic options are available for a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress-related disorders, and suicidal ideation. In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware. Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and therapeutic benefits derived from trauma-informed care extend to clients’ siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers.

Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. Many of our clients present with significant treatment challenges including learning impacts due to missed school and negative economic impact due to parental missed work. We provide care to anyone in need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay for care. DGS also provides services specifically tailored to meet the unique behavioral health care needs of child welfare-involved families and foster youth

Summary/objective

The Intensive Community Services Clinician is responsible for providing clinical behavioral health services in the community to DGS Clients. Therapists in this program will provide mental and behavioral health support to clients and their families, assisting them in being able to step-down to a less intense level of care.

Essential Functions:

Clinical

• Attends and actively engages in weekly individual supervision and monthly group supervision
• Provide evaluative, diagnostic, and psychotherapeutic services to children, adolescents, and their families; and collaborate with DPBHS and other area providers as needed
• Conceptualize course of treatment inclusive of appropriate modalities, interventions, frequency and duration of clinical services
• Assess clients needs and risks by utilizing crisis intervention skills and/or services

• Apply knowledge related to developmental factors, family and community systems in order to develop and implement treatment planning
• Maintains an assigned caseload in compliance with agency standards related to direct clinical care
• Demonstrate comprehensive skills in providing evaluation, diagnosis, and therapeutic services to build resilience in children, adolescents, and families

Administrative & Clinical Documentation

• Engages and collaborates with community resources, make appropriate referrals, and consult with other agencies on behalf of clients

• Collaborates with school staff regarding behavioral health services for students

• Complete required documentation for clinical records within established timeframes.

General

• Interpersonal skills/relationships/teamwork

• Participates in relevant professional development and learning activities

• Adheres to professional code of ethics and conduct
• Communicates effectively and professionally with all stakeholders
• Demonstrates continuous commitment to DGS’ core values
• Hold a valid Driver’s License

Competencies/ Capabilities:

• Knowledge and application of therapeutic interventions
• Clinical Judgment/decision making/problem solving
• Crisis intervention skills
• Effective Practice Management
• Adaptability/continuous improvement

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Work environment: Community settings as assigned, ability to utilize office locations as needed, partial telecommuting

Physical demands:

• Prolonged periods of driving possible, sitting and working on a computer for documentation and possible telehealth
• May be requested to lift up to 15 pounds at times
• May need to engage in physical activities with clients as part of increasing their skill building in the community settings

Travel required: Daily travel based on seeing clients in their homes and schools, taking them into the community, etc.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree which qualifies for licensure in the state of Delaware as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), License Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Psychologist.
• Provide a minimum of 10 hours of service per week

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years relevant full-time post graduate experience working with children and families
• Bilingual

EEO:

Delaware Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other responsibilities:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, tasks, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, tasks, or responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.