BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

Description

· Plans and provides behavioral health therapy and care coordination services to Primary Care patients who are identified by universal screening or physician referral as able to benefit from behavioral health services, meet medical necessity and agree to treatment.

· Works as part of a team of primary care providers to assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans that address mild and moderate behavioral health disorders.

· Works with the primary care team and patient to enhance behavior-based responses to medical disorders, where behavior change can significantly improve outcomes (such as with pain management, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other diet and exercise related conditions).

· Along with the Substance Use Disorder counselor addresses the behavioral needs of participants struggling with impairments from problematic use of alcohol or other drugs.

• Conducts      initial screening interviews for those patients who present as at-risk of      Depressive, Anxiety and/or Substance Use Disorders, as determined by      self-administered universal patient screening measures (e.g. PHQ-9, GAD-7,      AUDIT C). 
• Assists      participants, as part of the integrated behavioral health primary care      team to address the whole person care needs of the Primary Care treatment      plan, by establishing a plan to address social, cultural, familial and      personal patterns that contribute to whole health outcomes. 
• Leads      individual, family and group brief therapy for patient participants, whose      treatment plans including goals to change behavior, and/or reduce symptoms      of a mental health disorder, including alcohol and other substance use.
• Monitors      and timely documents progress in the patients’ electronic medical record,      (within 24 hours of service). 
• Consults      with medical providers and behaviorists, including collaborative exam room      visits and warm hand-offs.

· Provides brief psychoeducation and behavior interventions to supplement patient adherence with prescribed medical and behavioral health interventions.

· Diagnose DSM-5 mental health disorders

· Provide trauma informed and evidenced based models of treatment intervention.

· Complete biopsychosocial assessments for those patients participating in adjunct therapy and/or psychiatry services. 

Requirements

• Completion      of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university, with a      major in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field; AND 
• Licensure      with the State of California as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage      and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Psychologist

California Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) or Licensed Psychologists must maintain current and valid licensure with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Department of Psychology.