Family Therapist

Family Therapist

Under general supervision, the Family Therapist provides crisis intervention and individual, family, and group therapy for families of minors of the Tri-Valley, and performs other duties as assigned.

The Family Therapist is distinguished from the Youth Services Case Coordinator in that the latter is field community-oriented and does not require a professional California licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Clinical Psychologist. The Family Therapist is further distinguished from the Youth & Family Services Manager - Clinical in that the latter manager provides oversight and clinical supervision of staff and functions of the Horizons Youth and Family Services Program.

General supervision is provided by the Youth & Family Services Manager - Clinical. May provide lead direction to professional, clerical, temporary employees, and volunteers. May provide clinical supervision to student interns/trainees.

Performs individual, family, and group counseling to enhance mental and emotional health using a variety of therapeutic and counseling techniques; conducts intake assessments to determine type and severity of problems; determines counseling objectives; establishes diagnostic and treatment plans; conducts immediate crisis intervention as necessary for families in immediate distress; works with resistant families referred by police for law violations or school attendance review boards; receives and reviews request for services from police officers, school authorities, youth or their parents or other governmental agencies; coordinates with probation department for youth involved with the Alameda County Probation Department; rotates assignments with other counselors; may participate on county and local multi-disciplinary teams such as school district School Attendance Review Board (SARB) meetings and mediation meetings with County of Alameda Probation Department; and participates in a team environment to develop/implement client case plans.

Maintains accurate, confidential client records; prepares oral and written studies, reports, and recommendations according to established policy and procedure as required by the responsible agency; documents monthly statistics; works cooperatively with other departments and agencies; and utilizes a computer and specialized software.

Demonstrated knowledge of general fields of psychology and sociology or social work; child and adult development; personality theory; psychopathology; theory and practice of counseling, including the family as an interactional system; causes and treatment of juvenile delinquency; law and organization of the juvenile justice system; effective communication techniques; operation of modern office equipment; and computer operating systems and software applications including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Demonstrated skills to effectively counsel an entire family of ambivalent clients; facilitate making explicit underlying issues and involvement of all family members, starting with first contact; maintain clear boundaries of responsibility between counselor and family members; maintain good working relations with colleagues, supervisor, police administration, other City employees, and representatives of other community agencies; develop a close working relationship with law enforcement and the Crisis Receiving Home; work effectively with all family members, including those who display irrational behavior and express unreasonable demands without taking responsibility for the actions of others or the consequences thereof; formulate systemic interactional hypotheses and treatment plans; present cases orally and in writing for clinical supervision and group consultation; minimize both the use of crisis shelter care and requests for petitions under Section 601 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful and effective customer service attitude with those contacted in the course of work.

Ability to work with local police and school organizations; learn and refer clients to local resources and services; learn the appropriate use of county shelter care; learn provisions and implementation of Comprehensive Youth Services; learn juvenile justice diversion and status offender services; and comply with the Police Department's General Orders, the City's rules and regulations and other policies.

Experience: One year of experience counseling families of youth, including crisis intervention and family therapy.

Education: Equivalent to a Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.

Training: Any recent training, such as academic courses and certification programs, which are relevant to this job classification.

Certification: Current licensure or eligibility for state professional licensing required (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Clinical Psychologist), as confirmed by state registration.

License: May require the possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City of Livermore.

Other Requirements: Willingness and ability to work scheduled and emergency overtime; work evening hours, holidays, and weekends; be available on stand-by and call back, as required; travel out of town and attend meetings, conferences, and seminars during work and non-work hours.

Special Requirements: Essential duties may require the mental and/or physical ability to work in a standard office environment; utilize a computer; converse and listen to clients by telephone and in person; speak to large groups and be clearly understood; safely lift and maneuver office supplies weighing up to 10 pounds; ability to sit for hours at a time; and take notes and fill in report forms.