Associate Therapist - IOP Program

Job Description

Job Description

Associate Therapist – RISE DBT IOP Program

Location: Palo Alto, California 94304

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Schedule: Monday–Thursday, with afternoon and evening availability up to 7:00 PM

About Children's Health Council

At Children's Health Council (CHC), we believe in the promise and potential of every child, teen, and young adult. Our mission is to transform young lives by providing culturally responsive, best-in-class learning and mental health services to families from diverse backgrounds—regardless of language, location, or ability to pay. We specialize in ADHD, Learning Differences, Anxiety & Depression, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

About the RISE DBT IOP Program

RISE DBT IOP is a Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for suicidal and self-harming adolescents (8th-12th grade) within the Clinical Services Division at CHC. RISE DBT IOP is a collaborative program designed by Children’s Health Council (CHC) and Stanford Children’s Health- two premier organizations meeting the mental health needs of kids, adolescents, and families on the mid-peninsula. RISE DBT IOP is the only comprehensive DBT IOP in Northern California that addresses the most acutely suicidal and self-injurious adolescents. 

The Opportunity

We are seeking an associate level clinician with an interest in working in our IOP setting providing Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to work with clients and their families as a primary clinician, conducting individual therapy and parent coaching within the DBT framework. In addition, you will co-lead DBT skills groups and conduct intake assessments. 

You want your next step to be the right one. You've worked hard to get where you are today. And now you're ready to use your unique skills, talents and personality to achieve great things.  CHC is a place where you are valued as an individual, mentored as a future clinician and recognized for your accomplishments and potential. 

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments with adolescents and parents, develop case formulations, and synthesize/disseminate clinical information to RISE DBT IOP team members
• Provide individual therapy and parent coaching within the DBT framework to support skill development and treatment adherence
• Co-lead DBT skills groups with other clinicians to teach evidence-based coping strategies
• Develop and deliver individualized treatment plans for clients and families, coordinating discharge planning as needed
• Coordinate clinical care with multidisciplinary team members including Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, educators, psychologists, and psychiatrists
• Participate in clinical staff meetings and team consultations to ensure coordinated, high-quality care
• Engage in RISE DBT IOP training programs to support ongoing skills development and treatment fidelity, including potential offsite trainings
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation, billing records, and reports in compliance with all legal and ethical standards
• Adhere to all professional, ethical, legal, and confidentiality requirements outlined by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, AAMFT, NASW, and state/federal laws including HIPAA
• Provide 24/7 phone coaching support as part of our adherent DBT program to help clients generalize skills outside of program time
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Manager and Division Director

Required Qualifications

• APCC, AMFT, or ACSW credential from an accredited graduate program
• Valid California associate-level license to practice in a mental health field
• Minimum 1 year of clinical experience in a pediatric clinic and/or school-based setting (preferred)
• Demonstrated commitment to professional, ethical, legal, and confidentiality standards as outlined by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, AAMFT, NASW, and applicable state and federal laws
• Ability to work with high-risk populations (active suicidality, self-harm) with prior training in risk assessment
• Proficiency with computers and Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
• Availability to work Monday–Thursday with afternoon and evening hours up to 7:00 PM
• Willingness to participate in 24/7 phone coaching rotation as part of DBT program requirements

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Bilingual proficiency in English, Spanish, and/or Mandarin
• Prior training, certification, or clinical exposure to DBT
• Knowledge and understanding of ADHD, Learning Differences, Anxiety & Depression, and Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Demonstrated expertise in adolescent individual and family therapies, case formulation, and treatment planning
• Passion and enthusiasm for working with children, teens, and young adults
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Strong ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
• Growth-oriented mindset with desire for continuous learning and professional development
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills with clients and colleagues
• Flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing circumstances and program priorities

Physical Requirements

This position may occasionally require lifting, moving, and setting up materials such as training binders, laptops, projectors, flip charts, and other training materials needed for program sessions.

Why Join CHC?

You've worked hard to get where you are today. Now it's time to use your unique skills, talents, and personality to achieve great things. At CHC, you'll find:

• A workplace where you are valued as an individual and recognized for your potential
• Mentorship and support as a developing clinician in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable youth and their families
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• A mission-driven organization committed to removing barriers to mental health care

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're passionate about working with adolescents in crisis and committed to evidence-based mental health treatment, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now to join the RISE DBT IOP team at Children's Health Council.