Therapist

Title : Therapist

Division : Project 180

Pay Scale :  $36.93-$40.62 / hour

Program : AB109

The Organization

SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Program

Project 180’s DMH programs provide intensive, wraparound behavioral health treatment and services to justice-involved individuals with significant mental health problems.  Clients receive outpatient care and are served through co-occurring services provided by a multidisciplinary treatment team. Services include, but are not limited to, psychotherapy, case management, medication management, substance counseling, employment, and housing navigation services. Services are provided in partnership with LA County Probation, LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), and LA Superior Court.

The AB109 program provides intensive, wraparound behavioral health treatment to a forensic population. Through Assembly Bill 109, individuals convicted of a felony crime serve a portion of their sentence in jail or prison and are released early with 1 year of community supervision. If appropriate, participants are mandated to behavioral health treatment by LA County Probation.

The Outpatient Care Services (OCS) program provides community and clinic-based mental health services that are recovery-focused and evidence-based, tailored to meet each client’s needs in the most appropriate setting.

The Position

Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor, the therapist is responsible for providing intensive, wraparound, clinical services to include psychotherapy, rehabilitation, clinical case management and crisis intervention. The therapist is a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and provides clinical recommendations to support the client's treatment objectives and goal of  reducing recidivism. A successful therapist will actively engage this population in services, supporting their clients in making progress towards meaningful recovery goals.

Essential Functions :

Provide intensive, wraparound, clinical services

• Actively engage clients in services through the development of strong rapport, consistent contact and use of motivational interviewing skills. Provide inreach and outreach services as needed, meeting clients “where they are at” (service location, client’s point of view).
• Complete initial assessment, OCS phone screenings, formulate a diagnosis and engage clients in treatment planning. Services to target symptom reduction and cornerstones of recovery oriented care (instilling hope, empowerment, self-responsibility and engaging in meaningful roles).
• Provide individual and group psychotherapy, rehabilitation, clinical case management and crisis intervention services.
• Engage and collaborate with collaterals (DMH, DPH-SAPC, probation, hospitals, court, etc.). Provide psychoeducation related to mental health recovery to better support clients' treatment plan and engage in client advocacy.
• Assist clients with linkages to a higher level of care, as needed.
• Service delivery is consistent with ethical standards and a harm reduction, strength based, trauma informed framework.

Collaborate with a multidisciplinary treatment team to coordinate client care

Documentation and Reporting

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations

Skills and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in social work or mental health field from an accredited college or university, and valid license or registration with licensing body (i.e. the BBS).

Experience working with the forensic and / or dual diagnosed populations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings, including Project 180’s interim housing sites. Shifts to be scheduled during evenings and or weekends.

Physical Requirements

The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.

Mental Requirements

The employee must be able to do any / all of the following : perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities / work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.