Primary Therapist

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.