Primary Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Primary Therapist Job Description

Position Summary

The Primary Therapist provides individual, group, and family therapy services to patients in residential and outpatient treatment settings. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Primary Therapist is responsible for clinical assessments, treatment planning, case management, discharge planning, crisis intervention, documentation, and coordination of care to ensure patients receive high-quality, evidence-based treatment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.

· Maintain an assigned caseload and provide individual, group, and family therapy sessions.

· Facilitate psychoeducational and process-oriented groups.

· Participate in treatment team meetings and communicate patient progress and treatment goals.

· Assess and intervene in situations involving suicide risk, self-harm, relapse, or other behavioral health crises.

· Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, behavioral health technicians, families, referral sources, and community providers.

· Coordinate care, discharge planning, and post care services beginning at admission.

· Complete all clinical documentation, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries in a timely manner and in accordance with all regulatory, accreditation, and payer requirements.

· Support utilization review activities and provide clinical information necessary for insurance authorizations and continued stay reviews.

· Maintain compliance with HIPAA, regulatory agencies, and company policies.

· Provide support and clinical guidance to direct care staff as needed.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

· Master's or Doctoral degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.

· Licensed or registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (AMFT, ACSW, APCC, LMFT, LCSW, LPCC) or licensed Psychologist preferred.

· Experience working with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders.

· Knowledge of ASAM Criteria, DSM-5 diagnoses, and evidence-based treatment practices.

· Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.

· Valid California Driver's License and acceptable driving record.

Education

· Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field required.

· Registration or licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) or California Board of Psychology preferred.

Experience

· Minimum one (1) year of experience providing behavioral health, mental health, or substance use disorder treatment services.

· Experience working with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders preferred.

· Experience in residential treatment, outpatient treatment, or other behavioral healthcare settings preferred.

· Experience with utilization review, insurance authorizations, and discharge planning preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Working knowledge of ASAM Criteria, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based treatment modalities.

· Strong clinical assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and case management skills.

· Strong ability to build therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and referral sources.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced treatment environment.

· Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) and clinical documentation systems.

· Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team.