Therapist

Project180la; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Project 180 is seeking a licensed therapist to provide intensive clinical services at an Interim Housing site in Los Angeles. Under supervision, you will engage justice-involved clients, conduct assessments, and develop treatment plans to support recovery goals.

Required: Master’s degree in social work or mental health field with a valid CA license, driver’s license, and ability to transport clients. Bilingual Spanish is a plus.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or mental health field from an accredited program.
• Must hold a valid California clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LMFT) and a valid driver's license.
• Spanish speaking preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct clinical care with empathetic engagement and motivational interviewing.
• Complete initial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Provide individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and case management.
• Link clients to community resources and monitor participation and progress.
• Develop comprehensive discharge plans and document in the electronic health record.

Skills

Clinical therapy

Rapport building

Education

Master’s degree in social work or mental health field

CA driver’s license

Spanish speaking (preferred)

Job description

Title: Therapist

Division: Project 180

Pay Scale: $36.93-$40.62/hour

Location: Kohler House

Project 180 Overview

Mission: SSG-Project 180 provides practical and clinical behavioral health, re-entry, and diversion solutions that empower justice-involved Angelenos to achieve lasting personal transformation and reclaim their lives.

Org. Summary:

Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD). Annually, we serve over 1,500 justice-involved individuals.

At the heart of our organization are our core values - our fundamental, non-negotiable beliefs that guide how we make decisions and work with one another in service of our mission:

Humanity: We lead with a people-centered focus, seeking to understand and value the lived experience of others and centering their human dignity.

Integrity: We honor the trust placed in us by doing what is right while fulfilling our commitments - even when no one is watching.

Adaptability: We embrace the pivot, evolving to meet the complex needs of our community.

Empowerment: We cultivate the tools, confidence, resilience, optimism, and agency within every individual to lead their own transformation.

Equity: We honor everyone’s unique journey, meet them where they are and commit to providing the targeted support and resources that allow each individual to contribute and thrive.

Interdependence: We move as a unified team, trading silos for collective strength, recognizing that our greatest impact is achieved together.

The Program

Interim Housing is a county-funded Department of Mental Health (DMH) program for unhoused individuals with severe mental health problems. The Interim Housing program provides temporary housing and connects individuals to important resources in the community, with the ultimate goal of linking individuals to permanent housing in their community.

The Position

Under the supervision of the Interim Housing Program Senior Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor, the therapist is responsible for providing intensive clinical services to clients at an Interim Housing site. Therapists also serve as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team. A successful therapist will actively engage this population in services, supporting their clients in making progress towards meaningful recovery goals.

Essential Functions

Provide direct clinical care to ensure high-quality service delivery and outcomes:

• Actively engage clients in services through the development of strong rapport, consistent contact and use of motivational interviewing. Provide outreach services as needed, meeting clients “where they are at” (service location, client’s point of view).
• Complete initial assessment, formulate a diagnosis and engage clients in treatment planning. Services to target symptom reduction and cornerstones of recovery oriented care (instilling hope, empowerment, self-responsibility and engaging in meaningful roles).
• Provide individual and group psychotherapy, rehabilitation, clinical case management and crisis intervention services.
• Link clients to community resources. Monitor ongoing participation in services/use of resources and facilitate problem solving to target barriers. Accompany clients to linkage appointments when appropriate.

• Develop comprehensive discharge plans to support clients in transitioning from interim housing treatment environment.

Collaborate with a multidisciplinary treatment team to coordinate client care:

• Actively contributes to planning and execution of clinical interventions in collaboration with the treatment team. Leverage unique skills and abilities of team members in service delivery.
• Participate in outreach and engagement efforts with the treatment team.

• Coordinate services with various public and private community health, mental health, and social service agencies to ensure appropriate services for clients

Support clients in successfully adhering to court requirements:

• Support clients in understanding the court process, appropriate court conduct, and their specific court orders.
• Write and submit court reports per program guidelines.
• Assist clients in attending scheduled court appearances, providing transportation and accompanying them as necessary.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines
• Maintain and submit billing records per program guidelines
• Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations.

• Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable (i.e. BBS, CCAPP)

Skills and Abilities

• Clinical Expertise: Provides clinical care with a focus on high-quality service delivery.
• Empathetic and able to develop strong relationships with clients
• Collaborative: Able to work in diverse teams to solve complex issues
• Adaptive to changing circumstances and client needs in a dynamic environment
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, remains calm under pressure.
• Organized: Strong organization systems and attention to detail
• Communication skills: Clearly conveys information, builds rapport, and effectively engages with clients.

Minimum Qualification

Required:

• Master’s degree in social work or mental health field from an accredited college or university, and valid license or registration with licensing body (i.e. the BBS).
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required. Ability to transport clients in personal vehicle as needed.
• Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
• Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check
• Basic computer skills

Preferred:

• Spanish speaking
• Experience working with the forensic and/or dual diagnosed populations.
• Experience working on an interdisciplinary team in a mental health or hospital setting.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings.

Physical Requirements

The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.

Mental Requirements

The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.