Licensed Mental Health Therapist - School Based

YMCA of San Diego County; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of San Diego County is seeking a Licensed Mental Health Therapist to deliver direct services at school sites and the North Park office. The role includes assessments, individual/family/group therapy, crisis counseling, and coordination with Medi-Cal funded TIDES and Healthy Start Building Bridges programs.

You will ensure documentation, track outcomes, and participate in staff trainings. In-person duties require travel within San Diego County and a flexible schedule to meet program needs.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a behavioral science or related field required.
• Licensed by the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences; LMFT/LPCC/LCSW required.
• 3–5 years’ experience with children, adolescents, and families in mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health services, consultation and advocacy to participants and families.
• Conduct clinical assessments, service plan development, case management, crisis intervention and data collection.
• Educate staff on mental health topics and facilitate treatment planning and case management goals.
• Maintain paper and electronic client records and ensure proper documentation.

Skills

Counseling skills

Crisis intervention

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in behavioral science or related field

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

Overview

The Licensed Mental Health Therapist provides direct therapeutic services including assessments, individual, family, group and crisis counseling to current and past participants. This position assists in program development and operations while ensuring client eligibility and program outcomes. The Licensed Mental Health Therapist is responsible for program documentation, paperwork and maintenance of clinical charts.

SCHEDULE:

• 8:30a.m. - 5p.m
  • Depending on business need; one day a week a later shift going into early evening hours may be needed

WORK DESIGNATION:

• In-Person - Central San Diego school sites, and North Park office
  • Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The TIDES program: Medi-Cal funded, school-based mental health service designed for youth ages 5–21 who are Medi-Cal eligible, uninsured, or underinsured. The program provides comprehensive services including individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluation and medication management, and case management.By working closely with schools, TIDES aims to support youth and their caregivers through consistent collaboration and coordinated care.

Healthy Start Building Bridges program : Provides free, school-based mental health support through individual, family, and group counseling, case management, and parent education.By partnering with schools and families, the program helps address emotional and behavioral challenges, strengthen resilience, and promote overall well-being. Program coordinators work closely with the community to bridge gaps in support, ensuring students can reach their fullest potential.Services are offered within our contracted school sites, at our North Park office, and within the community for eligible clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health services, consultation and advocacy services to participants and their families
• Provide clinical assessment, evaluation, service plan development, case management, crisis intervention, collateral services, collect pre and post program data on program participants regarding satisfaction and progress, and other duties as necessary
• Engages in marketing and program outreach to increase client participation in program
• Maintain paper and electronic client and program records and reports; Review participant files as needed in order to ensure accuracy and proper documentation
• Educate service staff on mental health topics and facilitate treatment planning and case management goals; Provide mental health trainings to staff and participants
• Provide information and referrals regarding other transitional program services, mental health, medication management and substance abuse to participants
• Develop curriculum for partners through face to face meeting, presentation, phone call, email and participate in community resource fair
• Responsible for overseeing the collection of payments
• Work independently and as a team member to create innovative ways to meet contract goals and provide a high level of service that is engaging and meets the needs of the participants
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage and auditing
• Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a behavioral science or related field required
• Licensed by the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences; Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and/or adults and their families providing mental health services, including individual, family therapy, risk management, crisis intervention, and case management required
• Experience providing mental health services for children and youth to access various services including, education and social services
• Intermediate computer knowledge and skills

JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to see the big picture, risk-management capabilities and a can-do attitude
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Must be self-aware, flexible, adaptable, and teachable
• Ability to work in a very diverse setting with people of all backgrounds, culture and orientation
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with excellent follow through
• Must have demonstrated leadership, training, and public speaking skills
• Strong organization skills with the ability to work in an environment of rapidly changing deadlines
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency situation
• Ability to adequately observe participants' activities, enforce safety regulations and apply appropriate policies and procedures
• Must possess the ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills
• Ability to work effectively with others in alignment with the YMCA 4 Core Values; Models the 4 Core Values in all aspects of position responsibilities

PRE-HIRE CONTINGENCIES:

• Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
• CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute
• Position may require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:
  • Negative TB assessment or test results obtained within the past 60 days, prior to start, and every four (4) years thereafter
  • Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego CountyOffice of Labor Standards and Enforcement.

Pay Range

USD $36.00 - USD $41.32 /Hr.