MST Community Therapist

Do you have a passion for working with children and families? We are looking for compassionate, Licensed Clinical Family Therapist in Denton County who want to empower youth and families by creating strength-based behavior change that will be sustained long after treatment ends.

You will receive ongoing training in the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) model as you work with families, youth, their communities, and other key members of their ecology to implement MST as designed. Extensive research has proven the effectiveness of MST. MST therapists do whatever it takes, via close collaboration with all involved, to address the needs of juveniles with criminal offenses, including, in some cases, substance abuse. You will empower families to address challenging and/or problematic behavior and to help youth aged 12 - 17 make life-transforming changes. Treatment progress is made through intensive interventions such as skill building, changing unhelpful family interactions, and increasing social support, to name a few. For more information on Multisystemic Therapy, please watch this video: How Does MST Work?

General Description

Under direction of the MST Clinical Supervisor and within federal, state and local guidelines, the MST Therapist performs advanced therapeutic work. Work involves providing evidence-based, Multisystemic therapeutic (MST) interventions, with a team approach, for at-risk youth and their families. Sign-on bonus upon completion of required new employee training. Retention bonus after 6 months of consistent employment as a therapist with the MST program.

This position is funded by a Performance Contract Grant from the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), with an expected renewal date of August 31, 2026.

As an MST Therapist, outside clinical employment is not allowed, and MST must be the only form of clinical employment. Non-clinical employment is allowed in addition to being an MST Therapist.

Education, Training, and Experience

-Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, sociology, social work, or other human services field that meets the requirements of an LMSW, LPC-Associate, LMFT-A and who is under the supervision of a Licensed Professional of Healing Arts (LPHA) Supervisor, as recognized by state of Texas. Supervision by an LPHA can be provided by the Center at no cost.
-One year of counseling experience preferred. Requires current licensing from the state of Texas. Upon hire, individuals are required to attend an MST orientation training as well as quarterly booster trainings.
-Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
-Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.
-Individuals with an out-of-state driver’s license must be able to obtain a driver’s license in the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.
-Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of family systemic approaches and interventions.
• Therapy with children and adults using cognitive behavioral techniques
• Couples therapy using behavioral-based approaches
• Behavioral therapy targeting school behavior and academic performance
• Implementation of interventions within or between systems in the youth’s natural ecology that affect or influence the behavior of the youth (i.e., family, peer, school, and neighborhood)
• Collaboration and partnership with community agencies
• Previous work providing in-home or community-based therapy services
• Knowledge of community and government service delivery systems and case management delivery systems; of case guidelines, regulations, and policies; of interviewing techniques; of mental illness and the emotional components of physical illness; of rehabilitation methods; of individual needs associated with disabilities; and of community welfare resources.
• Skill in interviewing and in conducting individual and family needs assessments.
• Ability to convey instructions and explanations to clients, families, community stakeholders, and other interested parties, to negotiate available services, and to train others. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to display regular and reliable in-person attendance.
• Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.

Essential Duties

The following list outlines key responsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does not encompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

1. Conduct MST assessments including review of referral information, identifying, and engaging key participants, identifying systemic strengths and weaknesses, and developing an analysis of the fit of problem behaviors within the ecological context.
2. Engage primary caregivers and other key participants in active change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement.
3. Implement a problem conceptualization, treatment planning, intervention implementation, outcomes review and strategy revision procedure using the MST Analytic Process.
4. Maintain clear and concise documentation of treatment efforts that promote peer and supervisory review and feedback, and that demonstrate compliance with the nine MST Principles and the MST Analytic Process.
5. Ability to engage and collaborate with all relevant systems and key participants within each system, to maintain alignment throughout MST treatment.
6. Provide direct clinical treatment using methods compatible with MST principles and practices.
7. Participate in all MST training, supervision, consultation, and MST Therapist development activities.
8. Conduct a minimum of 2 face-to-face contacts per week with individual clients and their families within a variety of settings, which include client homes, schools, and other community locations as needed.
9. Provide therapeutic services using Multisystemic Therapy.
10. Have face-to-face, (and/or video) contact with client's Legally Authorized Representative, if required and applicable.
11. Develops individual treatment plans; and assesses and reassesses clients’ support systems and available community resources, schools, and/or facilities per the MST guidelines.
12. Ensures that all documentation for services rendered is submitted to the Center within (2) business days.
13. Collaborates on discharges for clients by collaborating with the client, family, interdisciplinary treatment team, and community resources.
    • Clinical therapists within the MST program will comply with all grant and Authority guidelines and regulations for all services rendered to clients.
14. Therapists will record, report and evaluate client progress on Authority's Progress Notes through Electronic Health Record (EHR).
15. All MST Therapists must attend 3 hours of professional development per calendar year that is specific to MST or related to working with adolescents and families. The cost of trainings will be covered by the program.
16. Participates in the Center’s Zero Suicide Initiative.

Supports individuals experiencing a crisis by promptly connecting them with appropriate Center programs, such as the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Psychiatric Triage, Crisis Prevention services, and/or other applicable resources. Ensure seamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.

Remains with individuals, when deemed safe, to provide support and maintain a calm environment until specialized crisis staff or emergency personnel arrive to take over intervention efforts. Adheres to safety protocols to prevent escalation of the crisis situation.

Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated staff following a crisis event. Collaborate with the team to review the incident, identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSC guidelines and Center policies are followed.

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