Family Therapist

Job Announcement  

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, the Family Therapist provides crisis intervention and individual, family, and group therapy for families of minors of the Tri-Valley, and performs other duties as assigned. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Family Therapist is distinguished from the Youth Services Case Coordinator in that the latter is field community-oriented and does not require a professional California licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Clinical Psychologist. The Family Therapist is further distinguished from the Youth & Family Services Manager - Clinical in that the latter manager provides oversight and clinical supervision of staff and functions of the Horizons Youth and Family Services Program. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General supervision is provided by the Youth & Family Services Manager - Clinical.   

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May provide lead direction to professional, clerical, temporary employees, and volunteers.  May provide clinical supervision to student interns/trainees.

Clinical Functions

Performs individual, family, and group counseling to enhance mental and emotional health using a variety of therapeutic and counseling techniques; conducts intake assessments to determine type and severity of problems; determines counseling objectives; establishes diagnostic and treatment plans; conducts immediate crisis intervention as necessary for families in immediate distress; works with resistant 

families referred by police for law violations or school attendance review boards; receives and reviews request for services from police officers, school authorities, youth or their parents or other governmental agencies; coordinates with probation department for youth involved with the Alameda County Probation Department;; rotates assignments with other counselors; may participate on county and local multi-disciplinary teams such as school district School Attendance Review Board (SARB) meetings and mediation meetings with County of Alameda Probation Department; and participates in a team environment to develop/implement client case plans.

Administrative Functions

Maintains accurate, confidential client records; prepares oral and written studies, reports, and recommendations according to established policy and procedure as required by the responsible agency; documents monthly statistics; works cooperatively with other departments and agencies; and utilizes a computer and specialized software.

Demonstrated Knowledge of: 

General fields of psychology and sociology or social work; child and adult development; personality theory; psychopathology; theory and practice of counseling, including the family as an interactional system; causes and treatment of juvenile delinquency; law and organization of the juvenile justice system; effective communication techniques; operation of modern office equipment; and computer operating systems and software applications including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Demonstrated Skills to:  

Effectively counsel an entire family of ambivalent clients; facilitate making explicit underlying issues and involvement of all family members, starting with first contact; maintain clear boundaries of responsibility between counselor and family members; maintain good working relations with colleagues, supervisor, police administration, other City employees, and representatives of other community agencies; develop a close working relationship with law enforcement and the Crisis Receiving Home; work effectively with all family members, including those who display irrational behavior and express unreasonable demands without taking responsibility for the actions of others or the consequences thereof; formulate systemic interactional hypotheses and treatment plans; present cases orally and in writing for clinical supervision and group consultation;; minimize both the use of crisis shelter care and requests for petitions under Section 601 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful and effective customer service attitude with those contacted in the course of work.

Ability to:

Work with local police and school organizations; learn and refer clients to local resources and services; learn the appropriate use of county shelter care; learn provisions and implementation of Comprehensive Youth Services; learn juvenile justice diversion and status offender services; and comply with the Police Department’s General Orders, the City’s rules and regulations and other policies.

Experience, Education, and Training Guidelines:

Any combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the best qualified candidates.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience:  One year of experience counseling families of youth, including crisis intervention and family therapy.

Education:  Equivalent to a Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.

Training:  Any recent training, such as academic courses and certification programs, which are relevant to this job classification.

Certification:  Current licensure or eligibility for state professional licensing required (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT.), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW.) or Clinical Psychologist), as confirmed by state registration.

License:   May require the possession of a valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City of Livermore.

Other Requirements:  Willingness and ability to work scheduled and emergency overtime; work evening hours, holidays, and weekends; be available on stand-by and call back, as required; travel out of town and attend meetings, conferences, and seminars during work and non-work hours. 

Special Requirements:   Essential duties may require the mental and/or physical ability to work in a standard office environment; utilize a computer; converse and listen to clients by telephone and in person; speak to large groups and be clearly understood; safely lift and maneuver office supplies weighing up to 10 pounds; ability to sit for hours at a time; and take notes and fill in report forms.