Therapist – Children, Youth, Families

Reporting to the Manager of Intensive Services, the Intensive Therapist works collaboratively to provide consistent, high quality, in-home mental health interventions to “high need” children, youth and families. The Intensive Therapist fosters positive outcomes and provides nurturing relationships for children, parents, and caregivers based on current research and best practices. The Intensive Therapist brings passion for providing assessment psycho-education, skill development, and therapeutic intervention through individual, family, and group treatment services. The ideal candidate values a collaborative, dynamic, and interdisciplinary environment where effective service coordination and community partnerships are keys to building supports around our clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide support, consultation, assessment, and treatment services to children 6–18 years of age and their families using family, individual, parent-child, and group modalities, as required.

Provide outreach services and support to youth and families in a variety of settings, including but not limited to home, school, and office, as directed by the manager. Coordinate assigned cases, as appropriate.

Provide a therapeutic perspective within an interdisciplinary team and be aware of the importance of contributions from other disciplines in recognizing and treating disorders of children and their families.

Liaise and advocate on behalf of the child and family to staff members, professionals, and programs in the community. Be aware of and provide information on community needs to assist in planning for services and programs.

Work within a team to develop a coordinated treatment program to meet child and family needs.

Maintain documentation for cases as outlined in the case management system. Act as a case manager to ensure that assigned cases for “high need” families requiring intensive supports are provided expedient access within their home and/or community.

Provide services that are sensitive to the cultural, linguistic, and social diversity of families within the home, school, and/or community.

Provide flexible, responsive, and accessible services that are delivered in the home, schools, and the local community.

Use a variety of therapeutic intervention strategies, including instruction, modeling, parent support, individual, family, and group counseling.

Provide in-home assistance to families requiring child management techniques, parenting skills, life skills, and behavioural management programming.

Act as both an advocate and liaison for families with community agencies, schools, law enforcement, the medical community, and other local service providers. Provide opportunities for children and families to develop and maintain social relationships and community linkages. Consult with other staff members, as well as significant professionals and programs in the community, regarding the direction of intensive services and/or appropriate service referrals.

Assist in the preparation of monthly statistics and year-end reports. Complete all administrative tasks, including inputting data into the client database in a timely fashion, as required for both client and organizational purposes.

Operationalize client safety through adhering to established policies and guidelines that ensure consistency in the delivery of quality and safe care, and by identifying and reporting any client safety incidents.

Abide by the specific requirements of Section 28 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as any further health and safety responsibilities outlined in the agency’s policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education : A Master of Social Work degree or equivalent from a recognized university. Eligibility for registration with the OCSWSSW and/or CRPO is required.

Experience : A minimum of three years’ clinical experience in family, individual, and parent-child therapy, as well as some experience leading groups. It is expected that this experience will have included appropriate supervision. Evidence of a theoretical framework which guides the candidate’s clinical work, is compatible with the agency’s approach, and reflects an understanding of crisis theory.

Skills : Strong interpersonal and interviewing skills. Strong case management, administrative, and organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to apply relevant knowledge and training to the assessment and treatment of children and their families. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Sound decision making and problem-solving skills. A proven ability to work independently.

Additional Requirements : A current (within three months) criminal reference check with vulnerable sector search. Access to reliable transportation in alignment with program needs. Competency in working from a virtual platform and in a virtual environment. Proficient in the use of technology as required of the position. MAC OS operating systems experience preferred.