Mental Health Therapist

Position Title MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST Program / Location ADULT FULL SERVICE PARTNERSHIP (FSP) PROGRAM – SAN LUIS OBISPO Position Summary The Full Service Partnership (FSP) Program provides intensive, community-based support to adults living with serious mental illness who are at risk of acute hospitalization or long-term institutional care. The primary objective of the program is to help clients achieve and maintain stability in the community through structured, individualized support. FSP serves individuals facing complex challenges, including co‑occurring substance use disorders, significant trauma histories, and substantial functional impairments. Services are provided in the community—where clients live and feel most comfortable—rather than in clinical or hospital settings. This approach emphasizes hope, resiliency, and recovery, grounded in principles of cultural humility, professional integrity, and a commitment to ongoing self‑reflection and personal growth for both clients and staff. The FSP Mental Health Therapist provides a comprehensive range of trauma‑informed clinical services, including diagnostic assessments, individualized treatment planning, therapy, care coordination, psychosocial rehabilitation, co‑occurring disorder treatment, medication support, social and daily living skills development, supported housing and employment services, and linkage to educational and 24/7 crisis support resources. Therapists will be based at the San Luis Obispo TMHA office but are expected to meet with clients throughout the county in diverse, client‑centered settings such as homes, parks, libraries, coffee shops, and community agencies. Under the direction of the FSP Clinical Team Leader, the Mental Health Therapist provides clinical oversight, consultation, and expertise to the multidisciplinary team, integrating observations from all team members into individualized treatment plans and ensuring high‑quality, holistic care. Hours / Salary Full‑time, non‑exempt position. 40 hours per week. Anticipated hiring range: $33.50‑$48.00 for an unlicensed registered intern or licensed. Anticipated range for a Mental Health Student Intern: $28.50‑$31.50. Includes a generous individual benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life, 403b retirement (with up to a 5% employer match), paid vacation/holiday time, paid sick time, and a variety of helpful employee perks as well. (*Full Salary Schedule $28.50‑$51.00 per hour). Employee Perks / Work Culture A few selected employee benefits include membership discounts to local fitness centers. Years of service gift cards to chosen businesses. Gift cards for walking, biking, or carpooling to work and a 20% discount for shopping at our Growing Grounds Downtown Store/Nursey/Farm. Two employee appreciation events yearly for employees and their families. Practice Trauma Informed Care Principles, Guidelines for Collaborative Conversations, and encourage the use of pronouns. Promote equality, respect, and diversity of race, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all characteristics that make us different. TMHA is also a pet‑friendly workplace (upon approval). Mission Statement Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community, and family support services. Organization Description Transitions – Mental Health Association is a leading non‑profit agency committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals and families by inspiring hope, growth, recovery, and wellness in our communities. TMHA has decades of experience with teams of compassionate staff and is a driving force in improving mental health and wellness in our communities while fostering an inclusive work environment that values diversity and individual contributions. Responsibilities and Duties Provide a wellness and recovery approach to service delivery for all clients, fostering and maintaining a collaborative team approach with the FSP team members. Model a client‑centered approach to service delivery, bringing a “whatever it takes” approach to meeting the needs of clients in all aspects of their treatment (e.g., “doing alongside” clients, recreational/art/music therapy, attending wellness groups with clients). Provide and participate in trainings on best practices and evidence‑based approaches, including Assertive Community Treatment, integrated treatment of co‑occurring disorders, Dialectic Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, and Trauma Informed Care. Medi‑Cal billing provides a critical portion of funding for this program. Reach documentation and billing goals as set by Team Leader and Director. All direct service staff are expected to spend 50% of their work time in direct service and support of clients unless otherwise assigned by your supervisor. Work with and train team members, clients, and family members on mental health services and/or drug or alcohol abuse prevention strategies as part of developing a holistic wellness and recovery plan for the clients. Participate in daily case review and coordination meetings with teammates. Assess and interview potential clients to determine if admission into FSP Program services is appropriate, or if referral elsewhere is most suitable. Collaborate with County Behavioral Health on assessments and referrals for admission into FSP services and stepping down of services back to the County BH Clinic. Provide therapy, education, and rehabilitation services for individuals, couples, or members of a family. Assist clients in achieving productive social adjustments, reducing the impact of disabling disorders, and facilitating the achievement of family, vocational, recreational, legal, and interpersonal goals. Document clinical activity in a timely manner, meeting program outcomes, using an electronic medical records system. Provide diagnostic and interview findings, clinical evaluations, and recommendations as a member of an interdisciplinary team; function as the Single Accountable Individual (SAI) for client caseload. Must document and provide at least one contact with each client per week. Provide crisis intervention in the field and in the office for individuals experiencing acute episodes; evaluate clients and arrange for voluntary or involuntary admission to facilities for observation and treatment. Become trained and designated to conduct evaluations and write applications for 5150 holds (training provided). Confer with and advise clients’ families to promote their understanding of and cooperation in treatment and rehabilitation programs. Participate in a rotating on‑call schedule during weekday after‑hours and all weekend hours, responding sometimes in person as required by the on‑call policy. When necessary, perform the duties of a case manager by coordinating services for a caseload of 15‑20 clients to assure continuity of care. Provide transportation to clients as determined by the daily schedule and client needs, using agency vehicle or own automobile (reimbursed for mileage). Promote, encourage, and maintain trauma‑informed practices in all services and activities. Practice and promote, both individually and in team meetings, TMHA’s Collaborative Communication Guidelines to facilitate clear, empathetic, and person‑centered communication. Cooperate and work with other agencies and practitioners. Educate clients and their families regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and the rehabilitation process. Assist clients to obtain stable housing, physical health care, benefits and entitlements, and to learn basic living skills. Participate in ongoing quality assurance and program evaluations. Assist with interviewing, hiring, and training of new staff as needed. All other duties as assigned by the FSP Clinical Team Leader and Clinical Director. Job Environment Daily and frequent documentation of client services on the computer. Services may be delivered to clients during a Monday‑through‑Sunday workweek; schedules will be developed in collaboration with teammates and management to ensure maximum support for clients. Moderate physical activity and frequent driving, including transporting clients; may include moving or lifting up to 50 lbs. Involves moderate risks requiring safety precautions and risk of exposure to potentially intense situations. Position involves working within residential environments. Possible intense situations related to confrontational or oppositional adults. Minimum Requirements Possession of a valid license as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT); registered associate progressing toward licensure. Working knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, psychotherapeutic treatment of marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions; methods of developing and implementing a treatment plan; human service delivery system; current trends in mental health; and applicable laws and regulations. Ability to perform effective counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; develop and maintain cooperative relationships with clients’ families, other professionals, social service agencies, and co‑workers; relate professionally with persons with serious mental disorders; identify and utilize community resources; prepare and present concise oral and written reports. Experience working with persons with severe and persistent mental illness, co‑occurring disorders, personality disorders/complex trauma; comfortable treating acute and complex presentations/history (multiple hospitalizations, forensic backgrounds). Experience working with professionally or personally persons who are chronically homeless, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. Participation in the on‑call rotation schedule for after‑hours and weekend services. Strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with severe and persistent mental illness to live in a safe environment, develop a meaningful role in the community, and have access to competent and continuous supports. Strong commitment to clients’ rights to self‑govern and to create their own choices and goals. Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style, and excellent oral/written communication skills. Well‑defined organizational and time‑management skills. Ability to work independently and flexibly. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision‑making skills, and remain calm and clear‑headed under pressure. Ability to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or socioeconomic level. Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health. Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace. Willingness to work with supervisor oversight and direction. Attendance is an essential function requiring face‑to‑face interaction with clients and/or employees. Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and other characteristics that make us different. Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services. Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race, and ethnicity. Use reasonable precautions in the performance of duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while ensuring maximum safety to self, fellow employees, clients, and others contacted through TMHA business. Conditions of employment: must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience, and a DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s vehicle insurance requirements (may need to use reliable personal vehicle with auto insurance). Must comply with a TB assessment (including TB test if needed to confirm negative result) and receive a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting. Must successfully complete First Aid and CPR training. Physical Demands Seeing Hearing Speaking Stooping/Bending Moving around office Moving between offices/clients Driving Climbing Lifting/Carrying heavy items Computer use Pushing/Pulling/Dragging items Standing for long periods Working outside Using hands/fingers #J-18808-Ljbffr