Family Preservation Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Status: Regular, Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Family Preservation Manager 

Location: South Bend, IN

Position summary: The Family Preservation Therapist provides professional, evidence-based therapeutic services to children and families with the primary goal of strengthening family functioning and preserving the family unit whenever safely possible. This role conducts comprehensive assessments, develops, implements, and supports the achievement of individualized treatment plans, and delivers clinical interventions tailored to the unique needs of each family. The therapist functions as a key member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, exercising sound clinical judgment while collaborating with internal staff, referral sources, and community providers. 

Qualifications:

• An individual with strong convictions who is also in agreement with Josiah White’s mission statement, Statement of Faith, and Code of Conduct. 

• Must be 21 years of age or older.

• A master’s degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, or a related human services field is required.

• Must possess a current license issued by the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board, or is able to obtain one upon hire. All candidates must be license eligible and hold full clinical licensure (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT), associate licensure (LSW, LMHCA, LMFTA), or a temporary permit to practice in Indiana by their date of hire.

• At least one year of previous experience in child welfare is preferred.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance.

Essential job functions:

• Provide family preservation therapy services by using evidence-based individual, family, and couples counseling to strengthen family functioning and promote child safety, stability, and permanency.

• Conduct comprehensive family assessments by utilizing standardized tools and clinical interviews to evaluate dynamics, risks, strengths, and treatment needs.

• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans in collaboration with community providers, informal supports, internal teams, and families to advance treatment outcomes and ensure continuity of care within established time frames.

• Manage and respond to client crises and participate in family safety assessments and safety plan development as clinically indicated.

• Maintain timely, accurate, and thorough clinical documentation in compliance with accreditation standards and Department of Child Services requirements.

• Participate in case management activities including child and family team meetings, court hearings, and treatment team case reviews, providing objective clinical input and recommendations.

• Advocate for the best interests of children and families by identifying service gaps, connecting clients to appropriate community resources, and communicating progress to placing agencies.

• Serve as a positive liaison in the community by maintaining professional relationships and representing the agency with referral sources, community partners, and public committees as assigned.

• Engage in ongoing professional development through clinical supervision, training activities, field observations, and performance feedback processes to ensure high-quality service delivery.

Work Schedule: This position requires, on average, 40 hours per week. Normal work hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. We anticipate that travel, therapy sessions and other tasks will often extend beyond these hours, but employees may flex their time when this occurs. This position will require participation in an on-call rotation. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment: The employee in this role will work in an office setting, client homes, and/or community settings as appropriate to service delivery. Frequent local travel is required for service provisions, court hearings, etc. This position often requires the use of a personal vehicle for agency business, with mileage reimbursed in accordance with company policy. The employee must be able to drive and sit for extended periods of time; manage stairs/steps to enter client homes; communicate effectively by speaking clearly and listening to client and team conversations; perform frequent typing, writing, and handling of paperwork and electronic devices; lift, carry, or push materials weighing up to 25 pounds; appropriately respond to complex family dynamics, emotionally charged situations, safety concerns, and crisis situations; and successfully complete Mindset, our crisis and de-escalation curriculum, and CPR/First Aid training, which requires the ability to get on the floor, on knees, and back up. 

Principles of Teaching Family Model will be incorporated into the culture. We are committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals–staff, children, and families–are treated with compassion, respect, and dignity. Our ministry seeks to serve each child and family with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and grace.