Childrens Therapist

Communicare; Oxford (MS); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPR/CPR trainings

Job summary

Communicare seeks a licensed behavioral health professional to provide evidence-based therapy for children and adolescents, integrating DSM-IV-TR criteria, crisis management, and collaborative care with families and schools.

The role balances clinical and administrative duties, requires maintaining documentation per DMH standards, and involves team-based care. You will conduct home visits when needed and actively participate in quality improvement efforts within Mississippi guidelines.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy or related behavioral health field preferred.
• Eligible for licensure or certification within 30 days if not currently licensed.
• Pass a Communicare background check and drug screen; Communicare is a drug‑free workplace.

Responsibilities

• Assess client symptoms using DSM-IV-TR criteria.
• Develop rapport and therapeutic alliance with clients and caregivers.
• Communicate with clients at a level appropriate to their age and development.
• Provide individual and family therapy; include group therapy and targeted case management as needed.
• Maintain an active caseload and complete clinical documentation per DMH and Communicare standards.
• Conduct home visits as needed and collaborate with school staff and other health professionals.
• Attend weekly treatment team meetings and interdisciplinary meetings as part of the care team.
• Enter data into the Electronic Health Record per state standards.

Skills

DSM-IV-TR criteria understanding

Rapport and therapeutic alliance

Cultural sensitivity

Age-appropriate communication

Organizational skills

Verbal and written communication

Education

Master's degree in behavioral health field

License or certification eligibility

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Demonstrate the ability to utilize DSM‑IV‑TR criteria to assess client symptomology.
• Develop rapport and a therapeutic alliance with clients and their caregivers, respecting individual cultural, ethnic, religious differences and belief systems.
• Communicate with clients consistently with their age and developmental level.
• Show an understanding of typical child and adolescent social, cognitive, behavioral, and moral development.
• Maintain strong organizational skills, including time management, and verbal and written communication.
• Complete and maintain CPR, CPI, and DMH trainings as required.
• Complete and maintain Department of Mental Health PCMHT credentialing within 60 days of hiring.
• Conduct psycho‑social assessments and assist in developing crisis management plans and other intake components.
• Complete clinical goals, objectives, and interventions for the Individual Service Plan.
• Review and update client crisis management plans monthly.
• Balance clinical and administrative responsibilities with 5 hours of therapeutic service delivery and 3 hours of non‑client direct care hours daily.
• Provide individual therapy to each client at least once per month; conduct family therapy in community settings (e.g., home) once per month; and provide additional therapeutic services as appropriate, including group therapy and targeted case management.
• Maintain an active caseload.
• Conduct home visits as needed.
• Attend weekly treatment team meetings and/or Communicare interdisciplinary meetings to provide information and clinical support as a member of the client’s care team.
• Collaborate directly with school staff and other members of the child’s team, including Community Support Specialists and medical staff, to address mental health needs.
• Accept and utilize clinical supervision to provide the highest quality mental health care possible.
• Maintain required clinical documentation and charting per DMH and Communicare standards, including treatment reviews and client progress evaluations.
• Collect and input data into the Electronic Health Record as directed by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health Manual of Uniform Data Standards.
• Complete other tasks as required by supervisor.

Clinical Competencies

• Utilize DSM‑IV‑TR criteria to assess client symptomology.
• Develop rapport and therapeutic alliance with clients and caregivers, understanding cultural and religious differences.
• Communicate with clients at a level appropriate to their age and developmental stage.
• Understand typical child and adolescent development across social, cognitive, behavioral, and moral domains.

Non‑Clinical Competencies

• Strong organizational, time‑management, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Complete and maintain CPR, CPI, and DMH trainings as required.
• Obtain and maintain Department of Mental Health PCMHT credentialing within 60 days of hiring.

Requirements

• Master's degree and license or certification in counseling, psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or another related behavioral health field preferred.
• If not already licensed or certified, be eligible for licensure or Department of Mental Health certification within thirty days.
• Pass a Communicare background check and drug screen; Commancire is a drug‑free workplace.
• Ability to perform the responsibilities of the position as described above.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to relate positively to individuals referred to Communicare, their families, other staff members, community members, and staff from other agencies.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout the catchment area and to trainings and meetings in other locations outside the catchment area as needed.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and an insurable driving record continuously throughout employment.