MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST

Southern Indian Health Council; Alpine (CA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Indian Health Council seeks a Mental Health Therapist to provide direct therapy to individuals, families and groups in Alpine, Campo, La Posta and Boulevard. You will work under supervision in a culturally respectful setting serving Native communities and collaborate across Behavioral Health and social services.

The role emphasizes trauma-focused treatment, crisis intervention, and outreach activities to connect clients with appropriate services while maintaining privacy and ethics

Qualifications

• Must be licensed or eligible to apply for a license with the California Board of Psychology or Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• Acceptable licensure includes Licensed Clinical Psychologist, MFT, LCSW, AMFT, or ASW.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; crisis intervention experience.
• Experience with Trauma Informed Care and familiarity with ACE Study; proficient with Microsoft Suite; able to work with multi-cultural communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct individual, couple, family, and group counseling for adults and youth.
• Collaborate with Behavioral Health staff and other departments; coordinate with referral sources.
• Assess referrals for stability, appropriateness, and eligibility; document case records timely.
• Offer prevention education outreach to the Indian community; support clients in legal and community settings.

Job description

Position Title: Mental Health Therapist
Department: Behavioral Health
Supervised By: Adult Behavioral Health Program Manager
Location: Alpine / Campo / La Posta / Boulevard
Status: Exempt / Salary
Posted: September 2026
Closing Date: Until Filled
Compensation: ASW $66,560-$88,541
LMFT $74,292-110,252.50
LCSW $91,504-$117,316.50 DOE
Grant: Yes
Clinic Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM

General Statement Of Responsibilities

The Mental Health Therapist is responsible for providing direct individual, couple, family, and group counseling for children, adolescents, teens and adults clients in the restricted service area of Southern Indian Health Council, Inc. (SIHC) that may be experiencing a crisis. Therapeutic services focus systemic issues contributing to the development of chemical dependency, domestic violence, abuse, mental health diagnoses, relationships, and other practical issues. The therapist will collaborate with Behavioral Health staff, Social Services staff, other SIHC departments, referral sources, and other collateral contacts as appropriate. The therapist may participate in organizing culturally relevant prevention education activities in the community and act as a bridge between the Indian community, SIHC, and other community organizations to facilitate access to appropriate services. The therapist shall assess all referrals made by outside agencies for stability, appropriateness, and eligibility. This position works under the direct supervision of the Behavioral Health Director.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient treatment and therapy to adults and youth in the areas of trauma, especially childhood abuse and neglect, domestic violence, sex trafficking, and sexual assault. Therapeutic services should focus on engaging the client in healthy strategies to reduce persistent behavioral health and alcohol and drug problems for Native youth, families, and the community.
• Offer services and referrals related to achieving wellness including alcohol and other drug education, assessment, treatment planning, relapse prevention, discharge/transitional planning, crisis assessment and intervention, and family support, as well as make referrals for a type or level of service outside the bounds of the practice of SIHC and its available providers when appropriate.
• Provide therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups with general knowledge in the areas of prevention, intervention, abuse and trauma, DSM-V-TR diagnoses, domestic violence dynamics, addictive behavior, and developmental issues.
• Offer a full spectrum of services related to mental wellness including education, assessment, crisis intervention, safety planning, family support, case management, and referral to services not provided by SIHC.
• Cooperate and collaborate with multidisciplinary treatment approaches as appropriate.
• Assist in the development and provision of outreach services to educate the Indian community regarding mental health and wellness. Outreach will include, but is not limited to, prevention education on reservation sites, in patients’ homes, work sites, schools, detention centers, inpatient units, jails, and prisons.
• Assist and support clients in their interactions with the court, legal proceedings, SARMS, probation and parole departments, CWS, drug and alcohol programs/counselors, and other professional organizations and entities.
• Systematically prioritize and manage caseload, taking into account schedule, acuity of the patients, and program requirements. etc.
• Professionally and respectfully represent Southern Indian Health Council in the tribal community, greater San Diego community as well as clinical and legal arenas.
• Document succinct and comprehensive case records in a timely and consistent manner in accordance with agency policies, ethical guidelines, and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Adhere strictly to the laws and ethics related to privacy and confidentiality at all times.
• Consistently make recommendations based on clinical information with consultation from supervisors.
• Allow for and encourage traditional cultural practices that are consistent with spiritual beliefs and serve as protective factors.
• Attend program, clinical, and administrative meetings and trainings as required.
• Participate in activities and trainings which enhance professional development.
• Provide statistical reports to the Program Director and Board of Directors as required
• Complies with all SIHC policies & procedures.
• Ability to work flexible schedule may be required based on need.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

Applicant must be licensed or eligible to apply for a license with the California Board of Psychology or Board of Behavioral Sciences. Acceptable licensure includes Licensed Clinical Psychologist, MFT, LCSW, AMFT, or ASW. Applicant must maintain that license in good standing throughout employment. Individuals who hold degrees in a counseling field (MA, Ph.D., or Psy.D.) may apply. Applicant must have excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Applicant must be experienced in crisis intervention. Must have experience in Trauma Informed Care and is familiar with the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Study. Applicant must be familiar and comfortable using computer programs including Microsoft Suite components or equivalent. Past success working with multi-cultural communities, preferably Native American/Alaska Natives, should be demonstrated. Applicant shall be able and/or willing to work with all ages. Must possess the ability to work with tribal officials, county agencies, tribal community members, funding agencies, and SIHC departments. Applicate must have the ability to maintain and foster collaborative relationships with other service providers such as PERT (Psychiatric Emergency Response Team), San Diego Sherriff Department, and other providers, to offer support and resources, to offer a multi-disciplinary, client centered approach in providing excellent care. Possess abilities to: work flexible hours as required to meet department needs; facilitate and negotiate and resolve issues professionally; work collaboratively in a team approach; effectively communicate with confidence and knowledge to staff and clients; maintain up-to-date files for documentation of case activity; complete and submit reports and documentation in a timely fashion; and work semi-independently while being responsive to supervision. Applicant must be able to adapt to changing situations and circumstances and handle pressure with dignity, in all circumstances maintaining confidentiality. Possess an ability to act professionally at all times in the workplace and the community.

Licenses/Certifications

A valid driver’s license is required and must be maintained throughout employment. Applicant must be able to travel throughout the organization’s service area including all SIHC site locations. Current certifications and/or licenses appropriate to the positions required education and profession.

Character

Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Must be responsible and able to exercise good judgment, accept administrative supervision, pay attention to detail, follow instructions, including the ability to interact effectively and communicate with people in a professional and courteous manner. Must be highly confidential and work as a team with other staff. Applicants should be sensitive to client’s needs.

Skills

Strong team building, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective peer relationships with coworkers within the Department, clinic-wide, and the public. Must be able to express ideas clearly, concisely, address audiences effectively, and exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions. Willing to be part of a team and cooperate in accomplishing department goals and objectives. Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, take initiative, be proactive, and function in a rapidly changing environment. Ability to work with people of all social and ethnic backgrounds, resolves conflicts, negotiates situations, and facilitates consensus.

Physical and Personal Requirements

Normal clinic/office environment. Sit or stand for long periods of time. Reach, bend, climb, stoop, lift up to 25 lbs. repetitive hand movement; use and view PC. Reliable transportation and car insurance as required by the state. Travel as needed.

Compliance

Each employee plays a key role in creating a compliance culture at SIHC. Employees are expected to learn and comply with all SIHC policies and procedures. One must have the ability to understand the implications and complexities of all compliance policies. Participation in all compliance training is mandatory, and generally has a heightened awareness of policies and regulations that are specific to one’s department and position. All SIHC employees are expected to report violations or suspected violations of compliance policies or regulations.

Other

Applicants must successfully pass a pre-screening tuberculin skin test or x-ray and a blood/urine drug screening test. Health must be adequate to perform all duties of the position. Applicants must complete SIHC Application and Authorization Form, both must be submitted to Human Resources prior to the close date indicated.

Indian Preference

In the filling of any SIHC job vacancy, preference may be given to qualified Native American Indians, pursuant to the Indian Preference Hiring Act, 25 USC 472, unless other laws require the filling of a vacancy without regard to Indian preference (e.g. Public Law (P.L.) 94-437, “Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). To receive Indian Tribe ore for any SIHC position, the applicant must be enrolled, or be eligible for enrollment, as an American Indian with their Tribe, or must be certified as an American Indian from the designated Tribal Representative. Applicants claiming Indian preference must attach verification of their claim to the SIHC application, including Certification of form BIA-4432, which is available from the SIHC Human Resources Department. If verification is not or cannot be verified, the applicant will not receive Indian preference for purposes of the interview.