Mental Health Group Facilitator - Youth Services Full Time

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Mental Health Group Facilitator provides psychoeducational, therapeutic, and skills-based group interventions to adolescents (typically ages 12–18) experiencing emotional, behavioral, mental health, and/or substance use concerns. The facilitator conducts evidence-based groups designed to improve emotional regulation, coping skills, interpersonal effectiveness, problem-solving, communication, healthy decision-making, and overall psychological well-being.

The facilitator works collaboratively with licensed mental health clinicians, case managers, nursing staff, education staff, probation/custody personnel (when applicable), and other multidisciplinary team members to ensure coordinated, trauma-informed care. The Mental Health Group Facilitator will be required to run two to three groups per day to various youth. The schedule will include nights and some weekend work.

Shift : Full-Time, 11:00am-7:30pm, includes weekends

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate daily and weekly psychoeducational and therapeutic groups for youth.
• Utilize evidence-based interventions including:
• • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Trauma-Informed Care principles
  • Strength-Based interventions
  • Social Skills Training
• Develop and maintain structured lesson plans and group curricula, groups will be 6-12 weeks long and certificate will be provided upon youth’s completion.
• Foster a safe, respectful, and therapeutic group environment.
• Encourage participation while maintaining appropriate group boundaries.
• Monitor youth behavior during groups and utilize verbal de-escalation techniques as needed.
• Document attendance, participation, progress, and behavioral observations in the electronic health record.
• Notify licensed clinicians of any significant behavioral or mental health concerns observed during groups.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Assist with implementation of individualized treatment goals established by licensed clinicians.
• Promote positive coping skills, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and healthy communication.
• Reinforce prosocial behaviors using positive behavioral supports and incentive systems.
• Assist in crisis situations under the direction of licensed clinical staff.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, state regulations, and agency policies.
• Maintain professional boundaries with youth at all times.
• Complete all required documentation accurately and within required timeframes.
• Attend required trainings, supervision, and staff meetings.

Group Topics May Include

• Emotional Regulation
• Anger Management
• Anxiety Management
• Depression Education
• Healthy Relationships
• Communication Skills
• Conflict Resolution
• Decision Making
• Problem Solving
• Stress Management
• Self-Esteem
• Mindfulness
• Coping Skills
• Grief and Loss
• Substance Use Education
• Relapse Prevention
• Life Skills
• Social Skills
• Goal Setting
• Accountability
• Trauma Recovery Skills
• Resilience Building

Minimum Qualifications

One of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Counseling, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Child Development, or closely related field.

Preferred:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree with experience facilitating youth groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with adolescents.
• Experience facilitating psychoeducational or therapeutic groups.
• Knowledge of adolescent development.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care.
• Experience working with justice-involved youth, foster youth, or high-risk adolescents.
• Familiarity with behavioral management strategies.
• CPR and First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain).
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or equivalent certification preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to engage resistant adolescents.
• Group facilitation skills.
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Professional boundaries and ethics.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Cultural competence.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Computer proficiency and electronic documentation skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the workday.
• Ability to respond quickly during behavioral emergencies.
• Ability to safely supervise youth in classroom and treatment settings.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Working Conditions

• Juvenile detention facility
• Exposure to emotionally distressed or behaviorally challenging youth.
• Fast-paced environment requires flexibility and professionalism.
• Will include some evening and/or weekend hours based on program needs.

Core Competencies

• Trauma-Informed Care
• Professionalism
• Ethical Practice
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Accountability
• Emotional Intelligence
• Cultural Humility
• Youth Engagement
• Conflict Resolution
• Safety Awareness
• Adaptability

Performance Expectations

• Facilitate assigned groups consistently and on schedule, this will be 2 to 3 groups per day which will include evenings and weekends.
• Maintain documentation compliance of 100%.
• Demonstrate effective engagement of youth.
• Utilize evidence-based practices during group facilitation.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment.
• Collaborate effectively with treatment team members.
• Complete required trainings annually.
• Maintain compliance with agency policies, state regulations, and accreditation standards.

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) (preferred)
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certification
• Mental Health First Aid
• CPR/First Aid
• Trauma-Informed Care Training

Reports To

Mental Health Director