DVSA Therapist

Haven Oakland; Pontiac (MI); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization is seeking an IPV/Sexual Assault Therapist in Pontiac, MI. This role involves providing trauma-informed counseling to adult and child survivors, conducting assessments, and collaborating with other professionals. Candidates should have an LLMSW or LMSW in Social Work or LLPC or LPC in Counseling. The position offers a supportive environment for healing and empowerment while adhering to a hybrid work model, requiring three days onsite per week.

Qualifications

• Experience with adult, teen, and child survivors of IPV and sexual assault.
• Ability to work with diverse backgrounds.
• Training in trauma-informed approaches preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake assessments for counseling needs.
• Provide individual and group therapy.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Interpersonal awareness

Empathy

Therapeutic skills

Excellent oral and written skills

Education

LLMSW or LMSW in Social Work

LLPC or LPC in Counseling

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Description

Position Summary

The Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) / Sexual Assault Therapist is a valued member of the Counseling Program and supports HAVEN’s mission by providing trauma‑informed counseling services to adult survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as children and adolescents who have witnessed or experienced abuse. Services are delivered through face‑to‑face, telephone, and virtual appointments to ensure accessibility and support for survivors. This position plays a critical role in promoting healing, safety, empowerment, and long‑term stability for survivors and their children. The therapist provides individual and group counseling services and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to support comprehensive care. This role also contributes to the development of future professionals by assisting in the training and mentorship of counseling interns and volunteers. The therapist maintains ethical, culturally responsive, and survivor‑centered practices in all aspects of their work. This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite per week and 2–3 evenings of availability to ensure services are accessible to survivors based on their scheduling needs.

Essential Duties

• Conduct trauma‑informed intake assessments to identify the counseling needs of adult and child survivors within the Counseling Program.
• Provide individual and group therapeutic services to adult survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
• Provide individual and group therapeutic services to children and adolescents who have witnessed domestic violence or experienced sexual abuse.
• Provide therapeutic services individual and group therapy to adult survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault
• Provide therapeutic services individual and group therapy to children and adolescents who have witnessed domestic violence or experienced sexual abuse
• Conduct trauma‑informed and supportive individualized plans
• Utilize trauma‑informed evidence‑based practices and interventions
• Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation
• Conduct risk safety planning with survivors
• Provide crisis intervention as needed
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and community partners to ensure coordinated support for survivors.
• Participate in weekly supervision and team meetings. Assists in training and evaluation of student interns and volunteers as assigned by Counseling Program Director
• Support agency initiatives related to prevention, outreach, and education when applicable
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and agency policies
• Assists with the development distribution and collection of outcome evaluation tools
• Maintains and tracks open and closed client records, facilitates data entry, and maintains co‑worker communication in order to maintain compliance and smooth agency operation.
• Assists with conducting focus groups to obtain client input into programming
• Presents specialty group overviews to referral sources including shelter, as assigned
• Processes “walk ins” or “high risk” clients immediately as needed
• Responds to client calls within 48 hours during the work week
• Responds to subpoenas when required
• Works with development and community education teams to promote programming; Contributes to written curriculum updates as needed.
• Stays up to date on community resources relevant populations served
• All other duties as assigned

Requirements

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates strong interpersonal awareness, empathy, and the ability to build trusting, supportive relationships with survivors.
• Works collaboratively and contributes positively to a team‑oriented environment while supporting a multidisciplinary approach to survivor care.
• Responds to crisis situations calmly and effectively using trauma‑informed and survivor‑centered practices.
• Demonstrates compassion, empathy, and a strong commitment to working with survivors through a client‑centered, empowerment‑based approach.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively while actively engaging in supervision and ongoing professional development.
• Utilizes therapeutic skills and evidence‑informed modalities to provide individual and group counseling services for both adults and children.
• Brings creativity and flexibility to therapeutic work, including developing and adapting curriculum and group content to meet the evolving needs of survivors.
• Demonstrates excellent oral, written, active listening, and organizational skills.

Education and Experience

• LLMSW or LMSW in Social Work, or LLPC or LPC in Counseling, required.
• Education, training, or experience working with adult, teen, and child survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault/abuse, and children who have witnessed domestic violence.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and compliance with all agency policies, ethical standards, and procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and general electronic documentation systems.
• Training or experience in trauma‑informed therapeutic approaches, such as CBT, CPT, Somatic‑based interventions, or Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), preferred.
• Knowledge of the dynamics of intimate partner violence and sexual assault and experience providing trauma‑informed therapy to survivors.

Mission Statement

To empower survivors to heal, and engage all individuals and communities to address and prevent sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

HAVEN is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status or any other characteristic protected by state and/or federal law.