JYF - Community Based Therapist

About the Role

The Justice for Youth & Families Community Based Therapist team at Rising Ground supports youth ages 12–17.5 across NYC through intensive in-home, family, and community-based treatment as they transition from placement back into their communities.

Community Based Therapists work closely with youth, families, schools, and community partners to promote positive behavioral change, strengthen family relationships, and support long-term success. This role provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working directly within the communities we serve.

• What you’ll do
• Conduct assessments, review referrals, identify strengths and challenges, and develop treatment plans within the youth’s ecological context.
• Engage caregivers, families, and placement staff in active, change-oriented treatment.
• Identify and address barriers to family engagement and participation.
• Provide direct clinical treatment using evidence-based and community-focused practices.
• Collaborate with schools, ACS, placement providers, and community partners to support treatment goals.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and concise documentation in CONNECTIONS within 5 days of contact.
• Participate in training, supervision, consultation, and weekly team meetings.
• Connect families to housing, health, mental health, and preventive services as needed.
• Participate in release conferences, post-discharge meetings, Elevated Risk conferences, and case update meetings.
• Stay informed on developments in the juvenile justice system, participate in a rotating on-call schedule, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Your qualifications
• Master’s Degree in a NYS licensable field preferred (LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, PsyD, PhD).
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Experience with DBT, CBT, family systems, behavioral therapies, child development, and social ecological approaches preferred.
• MST certification preferred; training provided upon hire.
• Flexible availability, including evenings and occasional weekends.

Position Type/Expected

This is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week position. Schedules vary based on the needs of families and the team, including daytime, evening, and occasional weekend sessions. Therapists are expected to be available by phone and attend weekly in-office supervision and consultation meetings.