Clinical Therapist

Job Title: Therapist Department & Division: Family Preservation Services

Reports To: Family Preservation Services Supervisor

Position Summary: The Therapist provides comprehensive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive mental health services to children, youth, and families across home, school, clinic, and community-based settings. Grounded in a strengths-based and relationship-centered approach, this role supports individuals with diverse emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs while promoting resilience, stability, and overall well-being. Therapists deliver a continuum of care that may include assessment, diagnosis, individual, family, and group therapy, and case coordination. Services are tailored to meet the unique needs, identities, and lived experiences of each child and family, incorporating evidence-based practices and developmentally appropriate interventions. Depending on program assignment, services may include school-based mental health support, outpatient therapy, home-based intervention, early childhood attachment-focused care, and/or enhanced foster care services. This role emphasizes strong partnerships with caregivers, educators, childcare providers, and community systems to ensure coordinated and holistic care. Therapists work collaboratively across disciplines to reduce barriers to access, advocate for equitable outcomes, and support children and families within their natural environments. Therapists are committed to advancing equity and practicing anti-racism by recognizing and addressing systemic disparities that impact children and families. Services are delivered with cultural humility and inclusivity, ensuring all individuals-regardless of race, ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, ability, gender identity, or family structure-feel valued, respected, and supported. The Therapist utilizes a trauma-informed framework that prioritizes safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment, recognizing the widespread impact of trauma on development and functioning. In early childhood settings, this may include caregiver-child attachment work and developmental guidance, while school-based roles may involve collaboration with educational teams to support student success and engagement. Across all settings, the Therapist maintains timely documentation, meets productivity and program expectations, participates in supervision and professional development, and upholds ethical and regulatory standards. The role requires flexibility, strong clinical judgment, and the ability to engage effectively with diverse populations in dynamic environments.

Essential Responsibilities: Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health services to children, youth, and families, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic intervention Deliver individual, family, and/or group therapy using evidence-based and developmentally appropriate practices. Conduct intake assessments, ongoing evaluations, and crisis intervention while prioritizing client safety and stability. Utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities tailored to the strengths, identities, and needs of each child and family. Collaborate with families, schools, childcare providers, and community partners to coordinate care and support positive outcomes. Advocate for equitable access to services and resources, addressing barriers impacting children and families. Participate in case-related meetings, interdisciplinary teams, and agency activities. Engage families as partners in treatment through education, coaching, and strengths-based support. Provide services in flexible, community-based settings (home, school, clinic, or other environments) to increase accessibility and engagement. Participate in supervision, team meetings, and ongoing professional development, including required training hours. Adhere to professional ethical standards and agency policies. Support agency initiatives, committees, and cross-functional collaboration efforts. Site Team Clinician: Provide school-based mental health services aligned with KSSN goals, including supporting student success and reducing barriers to learning. Maintain consistent presence within assigned school(s), including required non-billable engagement hours. Collaborate closely with school personnel (e.g., Attendance Teams, Community School Leadership Teams) Coordinate care across school, home, and community systems to support student outcomes. Maintain regular communication with parents/guardians of all assigned students. Serve as a Network 180 Access point and facilitate referrals to additional behavioral health services Behavioral Health Services: Manage a mixed caseload that may include outpatient, home-based, and case management services. Provide clinical case management and support for Enhanced Foster Care cases when applicable Participate in court hearings, school meetings, and other external case-related obligations. Rotate participation in a 24/7 on-call system to respond to client crises. Provide services in non-traditional/community settings to meet client needs. Early Childhood Attachment: Provide infant and early childhood mental health services focused on caregiver-child attachment. Deliver parent-child psychotherapy and relationship-based, play-based interventions. Monitor developmental progress using standardized screening and assessment tools. Provide consultation to childcare providers to support inclusion and prevent suspension/expulsion. Apply Infant Mental Health (IMH) principles and pursue/maintain IMH endorsement. Participate in reflective supervision specific to early childhood and attachment-focused work. Supervision Received: Specific Direction - Follows established work procedures. Receives periodic checks for performance. Refers unique questions/conditions to immediate supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications: Education requirements are a Master's degree in Social Work or a related field Licensed to practice therapy in the state of Michigan or actively working towards licensure. Must possess a strong knowledge of the common diagnoses and treatments for children and possess the skills necessary to facilitate positive change. The ability to provide effective individual, family, and group therapy skills, possess a strong knowledge of community resources and support for children and families, and the skills necessary to facilitate and encourage positive change. Valid driver's license, good driving record and adequate insurance with a car available. Experience working with children and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds preferred Must possess a strong knowledge of early child development and the common diagnoses and treatments for children. Knowledge of clinical issues related to foster and adopted children and families is preferred. Early Childhood Attachment: Candidates should have or be willing to work toward a level II MI-AIMH Endorsement by starting on an IMH Waiver.

Core Competencies: Working under Pressure: Ability to maintain composure and use healthy coping strategies when exposed to stress, while promoting a supportive environment that reduces unnecessary pressure and encourages collective problem-solving. Communication: Ability to express and receive ideas clearly and respectfully using inclusive, accessible, and culturally aware communication methods; demonstrating active listening and adapting communication for diverse audiences and group sizes. Planning and Organizing: Ability to set priorities and allocate resources equitably, using inclusive planning methods to effectively achieve responsibilities and objectives while accommodating diverse work styles and needs. Integrity: Ability to adhere to organizational policies and procedures consistently and equitably, acting in a fair, transparent, and just manner while maintaining confidentiality and respecting individual dignity. Reliability: Ability to be dependable, trustworthy, and committed to high-quality work by meeting expectations consistently while communicating proactively and honoring diverse needs and circumstances. Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing work environments, priorities, or organizational needs with openness and flexibility, while supporting others through change and considering the varied impacts on individuals. Decision Making: Ability to select and commit to an effective and equitable course of action by understanding issues, comparing solutions transparently, considering impacts on all stakeholders, and drawing fair and informed conclusions. Cultural Responsiveness: Ability to recognize, respect, and adapt to cultural differences, promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of care. Physical/Environmental Requirements: Mobility and Movement: Frequent ability to move between office, community locations, homes, schools, and court settings; includes walking, standing, sitting for extended periods, and navigating varied environments. Lifting & Physical Handling: Occasional lifting or carrying of items such as case files, required technology, or supplies (typically 10-25 lbs), and assisting children with basic physical support when appropriate. Technology & Documentation: Frequent use of computers, mobile devices, and case management systems; ability to complete documentation in a timely manner across varied environments. Communication: Regular clear verbal and written respectful communication in diverse environments; ability to hear and respond to children, caregivers, and colleagues; ability to observe nonverbal cues and environmental safety indicators. Driving & Transportation: Regular travel using a personal; ability to safely transport children and travel in varying weather and traffic conditions when appropriate. Maintain a valid driver's license to meet agency driving eligibility requirements, including an acceptable driving record. Emotional and Psychological: Frequent exposure to sensitive, traumatic, or emotionally charged situations involving children and families; ability to maintain professionalism and emotional regulation. Safety Awareness & Crisis Response: Occasional ability to recognize safety risks, de-escalate situations, follow safety protocols, and respond appropriately during emergencies or high stress interactions. Environmental Conditions: Occasional entering diverse home environments that may include clutter, pets, smoke, allergens, or unpredictable conditions. Work Hours & Scheduling Flexibility: Frequent ability to have flexible scheduling required to meet family needs, which may include early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends. Confidentiality & Professional Boundaries: Consistent adherence to confidentiality laws, ethical standards, and professional boundaries while working in homes, community settings, and agency offices. DABSJ strives to be a fully inclusive organization as we support a diverse group of children and families. We are building a diverse team that represents our customers and our community and recognize that each of us brings a unique perspective to the organization. We welcome differing thoughts, faiths, beliefs, groups, and lived experiences. The diversity and differences of each team member, foster parent, adoptive parent, child, and family make us #DABSJstrongertogether for children and families. DABSJ is an equal opportunity, at-will employer, and will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment. DABSJ does not discriminate on the basis of race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists; culture, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, socio-economic status, disability, or other legally-protected characteristics as required by law. This job description does not list all duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties as needed. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and does not infringe upon the Company's at will employment status.