Associate Therapist

Center for Discovery

At Discovery, we offer career opportunities nationwide in residential, day treatment, and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment. Discovery is currently seeking Program Directors, Primary Therapists, Facility Managers, Counselors/Mental Health Specialists, Dietitians, Diet Techs, and Nurses. Discovery is specifically seeking individuals who consistently strive to provide exemplary care and are passionate about transforming the lives of others.


If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career in the behavioral health field, the first step is to look for Open job positions that match your skills, qualifications and interest. Each posting includes a description and minimum required qualifications.


When we review candidate information, we are looking for the best matches for the position based on the qualifications listed in the job posting. If your skills and experience appear to match an open position, a recruitment services professional or hiring manager may contact you to further discuss your qualifications.


Position Summary:

The Associate Therapist works in a dynamic multidisciplinary team providing treatment services according to the Center for Discovery Clinical Model. Therapist responsibilities include ensuring patient safety, providing milieu interventions, leading psychoeducational and process-oriented therapy groups, facilitate clinical assessments, conducting therapy sessions, and other case management tasks, as assigned.


Essential Job Functions:

• Ensure clinical documentation is completed timely throughout the course of treatment.
• Establish therapeutic rapport with patients and families/loved ones.
• Facilitates admission assessments and the admission process for new patients with professionalism
• Participates in weekly treatment team and communicates weekly treatment goals with all team members.
• Completes appropriate number of therapy sessions weekly for patients, including family/support system sessions aligned with the patients' level of care.
  • RTC: two individual sessions and one family/support system session
  • PHP: one individual session and one family/support system session
  • IOP: one therapeutic session - individual or family/support system, as clinically indicated
• Facilitates the process orientated and psychoeducation groups one to two times, daily.
• Required to sit at a meal and/or snack a minimum of once per week.
• Facilitates multi-family groups, family program, and/or family weekend.
• Provides utilization reviews to insurance companies, providing appropriate clinical information to obtain initial authorization and continuing stay authorization, as necessary.
• Assesses patients for suicidality and possibility of danger to self or others.
• May provide additional clinical support for other members of the clinical team in their absence.
• Communicates with the Utilization Review Department and Business Department regarding authorization and payment.
• Begins discharge planning on day of admission for all patients.
• Completes discharge session with patient to ensure coping skills, transition plan, and resources are understood and intact.
• Ensures discharge appointments are confirmed with patient and loved ones prior to discharge.
• Communicates with referral sources and outpatient providers for continuity of care upon admission, midpoint, and discharge.
• Facilitates patient transfers to a higher level of care, as needed.
• Actively participates in clinical outreach and program tours, as needed.
• Effectively manages crises in sessions and the milieu.
• Provides support to milieu staff in their interactions with patients and their loved ones.
• Works collaboratively with the entire treatment team and milieu staff to ensure the highest level of clinical quality at all times.
• Completes other tasks, as requested or assigned.
• RTC Only: Provides on-call support to facility at least 1x per month and returns all program phone calls within 20 minutes, while on call. Communicates appropriately with On Call Administrator or Regional Director regarding pertinent facility issues, while on call.

Knowledge, Education, and Experience:

• Master's or Doctorate degree in relevant field, required
• Completion of state requirements to conduct therapeutic interventions, required
• Operates under supervision and is not licensed
• Obtain CPI certification within 90 days of hire
• Obtain CPR, AED, and First Aid certification within 90 days of hire
• Obtain ServSafe certification within 90 days of hire
• Must possess a current driver's license and be in good standing

Employment Status: Full-time

Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Work Location: On-site - Fairfax, VA

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Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce.


We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.