Child And Family Therapist

Voices for Children Advocacy Center; Flint (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Voices for Children Advocacy Center in Michigan seeks a Child and Family Therapist to provide direct therapy to child victims of abuse and their families. You will use evidence-based, trauma-focused models and administer bio-psycho-social assessments in crisis and ongoing care.

Responsibilities include individual and family therapy, group sessions, crisis counseling, and collaboration with MDT partners. A Master’s level clinician with trauma training is required, and background clearances are

Qualifications

• Masters in Social Work (LLMSW or LMSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor.
• Trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
• Knowledgeable about child development, trauma, and evidence-based interventions for children.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual & family mental health therapy for children and non-offending caregivers using evidence-based models.
• Provide structured group and support therapy programs for children and caregivers.
• Conduct comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments for child victims of trauma and maltreatment.
• Provide crisis counseling and coordinate with MDT partners as needed.
• Ensure services are client-centered, culturally competent, and trauma-informed.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Evidence-based therapy

Cultural competency

Strong communication

Independent work

Education

Master's in Social Work (LLMSW or LMSW)

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

TF-CBT training

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Child and Family Therapist is responsible for providing direct

therapeutic services to victims of child abuse, trauma, and other Adverse Childhood

Experiences (ACEs) and their families in crisis and on an ongoing basis. The Child and Family

Therapist is trained in evidence-based—NCA approved models to address the trauma, mental

health, and other clinical issues that clients and their non-offending caregivers may present.

This position is required to provide ongoing therapy, court prep, and support group treatment to

clients and their non-offending caregivers. The Child and Family Therapist position is for

developing and maintaining a client-focused, children’s advocacy-based mental health practice

that supports the mission of VCAC and adheres to the NCA Standards of Mental Health

practices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

● Provide individual & family mental health therapy for children and their non-offending

families in crisis and on an ongoing basis using an evidence- based and NCA

approved therapy model

● Provide structured group and support therapy program for children and caregivers

● Provide comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments for child victims of trauma

and maltreatment

● Provide individual parenting education, to include the effects of abuse, violence and

trauma on children

● Introduce and support coping skills necessary to help the child deal with the impact

of trauma when at home and in other settings

● Assist with crisis counseling of new clients as needed

● Attend and participate in meetings, trainings and supervision as requested

● Follow and adhere to the NCA accreditation standards for mental providers and use

the best practices

● Assist in developing and conducting applicable trainings relative to VCAC’s mission

and its Mental Health program for multidisciplinary team member organizations and

other partner organizations

● Responsible for ensuring service is client-focused, culturally competent and

sensitive, strength based, and built on a foundation of sound clinical theory and

trauma informed best practices

● Ensure the collection and integrity of client/service data and report findings monthly

and timely

● Offer feedback for service adaptation based on best practices established by

research in the field

● Schedule of therapeutic appointments within established timeframes

● Communicate effectively with clients, caregivers, and MDT partners

● Represent the program and agency with area service providers

● Other duties as assigned

Qualification, Skills, Knowledge

● Educational Requirement: Masters in Social Worker (LLMSW or LMSW) or

Licensed Professional Counselor. Preferred Trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive

Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Trained in Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

● Knowledgeable about child development and family systems, diagnosis, and

evidence based therapeutic interventions for children who have experienced trauma

● Knowledgeable about the dynamics of sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect

● Knowledgeable about the dynamics of intimate partner violence

● Demonstrates ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and

collaboratively with peers and community partners

● Good written and verbal communication skills

● Ability to work independently

Additional Relevant Skills and Qualities:

● Ability to work cooperatively with victims, families, MDT team and other community

partners

● Organized and relevant

● Use good interpersonal relations skills with community partners and MDT members

● Social media, Microsoft Office, and general database proficient

● Ability to sit at a desk, complete computer work, light lifting

● Ability to deal with sensitive confidential information

● Nonjudgmental approach that reflects cultural competency and sensitivity to the

unique needs and diverse experiences of families with young children and the ability

to relate well with people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

The physical environment is an office building. Ability to sit at a desk, complete computer

work, and light lifting.

Other Requirements:

In accordance with policies stated in the agency Personnel Policies and

Recruitment, Hiring, Onboarding, and Separation policies, Voices for Children must conduct

a thorough background clearance on all employees and contractors who interact with

minors at their hire but no more than six (6) months prior to their first day of work with

minors and on a periodic ongoing basis.

Background Clearances include, at a minimum:

● Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (www.nsopw.gov)

● Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry

● Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)

● MDHHS Central Registry Clearance (via email to your local DHHS office)

● National Criminal Background check

Any person working with minors who has lived, worked, or gone to school in a state or

states other than Michigan any time in the past five (5) years is required to submit sufficient

historical information to allow Voices for Children to conduct similar background

clearances in all states of residence during the prior five (5) year period.

Statement Regarding Background Checks and Discrimination: Information discovered

through the background check process is used solely for the purpose of evaluating a

candidate’s suitability for employment and will not be used to discriminate against a

candidate on the basis of race, color, religion/creed, sex/gender, age, sexual orientation,

gender identity/expression, national origin, genetic information, marital/familial status,

disability, military, veteran status, or any other protected status.

The above job description is intended to summarize the essential functions of and

requirements for the performance of this job. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of

miscellaneous duties and responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of

this job.

Employees are occasionally required to participate in activities outside of normal

business hours.

All employment relationships with VCAC are of an at-will nature, may be terminated at any time,

with or without cause, and with or without notice. Nothing in any job description, employment

agreement, personnel policy or future evaluation shall alter the at-will nature of this employment

nature.

The VCAC is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with

respect to all employees and applicants for employment. All personnel actions, such as

recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, layoff, recall, compensation and benefits,

discipline, termination, and education, recreational, and social programs are administered

without regard to sexual orientation, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship status,

age, disability status, opposition or participation activity protected by applicable law, or

membership or application for membership in a uniformed service. Employment decisions,

subject to legitimate business requirements of VCAC, are based solely on an individual’s

qualifications, merit and performance.

• Travel: This position requires some travel for meetings, trainings, and conference