VAC Clinician

Vista Del Mar; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services is seeking a VAC Clinician to provide psychodynamic psychotherapy to children, teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. You will assess, diagnose, plan treatment, and deliver high-quality, neurodiversity-affirming care within the Vista Autism Center program.

In this role you will collaborate with program leadership, participate in supervision, and engage in ongoing training while supporting client care, program development, and clinical

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a field eligible for CA behavioral health licensure.
• Licensed eligible by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• Interest in specialized autism-affirming psychotherapy approaches.
• Comfort engaging with families and caregivers as part of treatment.
• Experience in community outreach, training, or clinical education (preferred).
• Ability to work in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and young adults with ASD using the DAPP method.
• Caseload up to 7 individual clients (monthly family consultations) and up to 3 groups.
• Provide clinical assessments of children and young adults and complete reports for local Regional Centers and schools.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans with clients and families.
• Utilize evidence-based approaches tailored to neurodivergent clients.
• Maintain ethical, culturally responsive, trauma-informed practice and documentation.
• Log sessions and maintain client records in Simple Practice per policies.
• Communicate progress to program leadership and coordinate care.
• Attend weekly supervision with the Program Clinical Director and bi-weekly group supervision.
• Engage in specialized clinical training within six months of employment.
• Participate in Vista Del Mar and Vista Village meetings and ongoing development.
• Collaborate with VAC Program Manager on client management and scheduling.

Skills

Autism-focused psychotherapy

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field

Licensed eligible by California Board of Behavioral Sciences

Job description

For more than a century, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services (VDM) has been dedicated to supporting children and families across Los Angeles County through high-quality programs and compassionate care. Our goal is to help children and families build strong foundations that support growth, stability, and meaningful opportunities throughout their lives. Many of the individuals we serve have faced long-standing challenges, and we are committed to meeting families where they are with respect and understanding. Vista Del Mar is guided by values centered on growth, opportunity, fairness, and excellence in service.

OUR CULTURE

At Vista Del Mar, our work is strengthened by the people we serve and the dedicated staff who support them. We strive to create an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, care, and respect. We recognize that personal experiences and life circumstances shape how individuals engage within their communities, and we actively work to reduce barriers while improving access and outcomes for families. Vista Del Mar is committed to fostering a workplace rooted in care, collaboration, professional growth, and mutual support, where each individual feels welcomed and valued. We believe meaningful action is the foundation of lasting trust.We welcome qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. Relevant professional and lived experience that supports effective service delivery to children and families is valued. All employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, experience, and organizational needs.

MISSION:

Vista Del Mar provides a trauma-responsive continuum of services to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California to lead fulfilling lives.

The VAC Clinician provides psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for the Vista Autism Center (VAC) program. This role exercises professional discretion and independent judgment in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and provision of psychotherapy to clients, consistent with applicable professional standards and licensure requirements, and involves delivering high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and neurodiversity-affirming psychodynamic psychotherapy while collaborating closely with program leadership to support client care, program development, and overall clinical excellence. Supports the missions of Vista Village and Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.

Essential Job Duties (other duties may be assigned):

• 1. Provide individual, family, and group psychodynamic psychotherapy to children, teens, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder using the Durban Autism Psychoanalytic Protocol (DAPP) method.
• 2. Caseload will consist of up to 7 individual clients (with monthly family consultations) and up to 3 groups.
• 3. Provide clinical assessments of children and young adults. Complete associated reports suitable for use with local Regional Centers and schools.
• 4. Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients and families.
• 5. Utilize evidence-based and program-specific therapeutic approaches tailored to neurodivergent clients.
• 6. Maintain ethical, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed clinical practice.
• 7. Complete timely and accurate clinical documentation, including session notes, treatment plans, and required program records.
• 8. Log sessions and maintain client records in the Simple Practice Platform in compliance with organizational policies, licensing standards, and confidentiality requirements.
• 9. Communicate effectively with program leadership regarding client progress, scheduling, and care coordination.
• 10. Attend weekly individual clinical supervision with the Program Clinical Director.
• 11. Participate in bi-weekly group clinical supervision with the full program clinical team.
• 12. Complete specialized clinical training led by the Vista Autism Center Clinical Director within the first six months of employment, as required to work with program clients and families.
• 13. Engage in Vista Del Mar and Vista Village meetings, ongoing professional development and clinical learning.
• 14. Work closely with the VAC Program Manager on client management, scheduling considerations, and program development initiatives.
• 15. Work closely with the Vista Village administrative team for client billing.
• 16. Contribute to a collaborative, supportive, and mission-driven team culture.

Secondary Duties:

• 1. Represent the program and the agency at community events, outreach opportunities, or informational sessions, as needed.
• 2. Lead or co-lead internal continuing education lectures or clinical workshops.
• 3. Support and/or eventually lead trainings in the VAC Clinical Director’s specialized psychotherapy methods.
• 4. Assist with program development initiatives as aligned with clinical expertise and organizational needs.

Qualifications Required:

• 1. Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field appropriate to the applicable California behavioral health license.
• 2. Licensed eligible though the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• 4. Interest in specialized autism-affirming psychotherapy approaches.
• 5. Comfort engaging with families and caregivers as part of treatment.
• 6. Experience in community outreach, training, or clinical education (preferred).

Vista Del Mar’s Credentials:

Our nationally recognized clinical programs have been awarded a Gold Seal by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation possible. In addition, our educational facilities are fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and our graduate degree program is recognized worldwide for its high quality of instructions.

Equal Employment Statement

Vista Del Mar is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Vista Del Mar will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as part of this commitment.