Youth Therapist (MST-PSB)

Subsidiary

Joseph J. Peters Institute (JJPI)

PROGRAM: MST-PSB (Multisystemic Therapy for Youth with Problem Sexual Behavior)

Role type: Full-Time

Job overview

Joseph J. Peters Institute is a behavioral health provider serving children, adolescents, and adult survivors of trauma as well as perpetrators of sexual abuse and relational violence. The MST-PSB Therapist is responsible for providing intensive in-home assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy to adolescents and families referred for the treatment of sexually abusive behaviors. The Therapist is responsible for maintaining fidelity to the MST-PSB model and coordinating with all members of the treatment team to achieve targeted outcomes.

Working at jjpi

Responsibilities

• Provide MST-PSB services to a caseload of 3-5 individuals and families in community settings, including clients’ homes, schools, and neighborhoods.
• Actively work to ensure client, victim, and community safety through the development, implementation, monitoring, and ongoing revision of a comprehensive individualized safety plan for each client/family served.
• Engage the primary caregiver and other key participants in active change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement.
• Actively provide family therapy, parent training, cognitive behavioral therapy, skills building, school and other community system interventions, and clarification work to each client/family served with a high degree of intensity and frequency (i.e. often three or more sessions per week).
• Implement a problem conceptualization, treatment planning, intervention implementation, outcome review, and strategy revision procedure using the MST Analytic Process.
• Conduct MST assessment 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.
• Be available to provide services at times convenient to the family, including evenings and weekends.
• Maintain fidelity to MST-PSB guiding principles and fidelity standards.
• Actively participate in weekly group supervision and weekly phone consultation; participate in individual supervision as directed/requested.
• Be available to provide 24/7 crisis response services as directed.
• Actively coordinate services with all team members (including representatives from Juvenile Probation, Department of Human Services, Family Court, victim’s therapist/advocate, other providers, and community programs) to ensure their buy-in and cooperation throughout MST treatment.
• Appear/testify in court as directed for each client served.
• Participate in all model fidelity measures and practices as directed.
• Record video of family therapy sessions for model adherence and professional development as directed.
• 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. Complete and submit all paperwork, forms, reports, etc. within program-identified timeframes and according to professional standards.

• Partnerships & Collaborative Relationships
• Establish and maintain relationships with provider organizations, regulatory and licensing representatives, and referral sources, establishing effective and productive working relationships while promoting JJPI.
• Represent the organization before various stakeholder groups to maintain visibility.
• Manage regulatory and accreditation contracts.
• Serve on, participate in, and attend various committee meetings.

• Contributing to the MST Team
• Participate in regular meetings with staff to ensure priorities are clear, coordination is effective, and communications are open. Develop additional methods for ongoing effective communication.
• Cooperate and communicate as a multidisciplinary staff team member through formal meetings, informal consultations, and committee participation.
• Model traits of a responsible team member by executing job responsibilities, open communication, and good follow-through. Support team members to do the same.
• Respond promptly to the concerns and interests of the clients, parents, guardians, funding entities, and other PHMC staff.

• Exhibiting Trauma-Informed Values
• Demonstrate commitment to being trauma-informed and maintaining a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety and nonviolence as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.
• Demonstrate knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices, including emotional intelligence, effective communication, understanding of the impact of trauma on development, strengths-based and person-centered practice, resilience focus, and commitment to growth and change.

• Administrative Activities
• Ensure compliance with all of JJPI’s policies and procedures, including confidentiality and acting as a mandated reporter in accordance with the law, policies, and procedures.
• Implement all documentation requirements and ensure that reports are complete, thorough, timely, and written in the prescribed format. Ensure that staff members do the same.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILLS

• Knowledge and understanding of adolescent problem sexual behaviors, including systemic factors that contribute to problematic behaviors
• Strong safety management skills, including the ability to develop, implement, and monitor effective safety plans
• Ability to utilize a collaborative, team-oriented approach
• Social/ecological theory and application
• Family systems theory and application
• Cognitive-behavioral theory and clinical application
• Understanding of child and family development
• Crisis intervention and management
• Knowledge of DSM-V diagnoses
• Basic knowledge/understanding of common psychotropic medications
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Strong computer skills in all Microsoft Office applications

Qualifications

• Required
• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or another human services field required
• At least two years of verified experience in the mental health field
• Valid driver’s license, daily access to a reliable vehicle with current registration, and evidence of automotive insurance coverage required

• Preferred
• Prior experience providing family therapy and/or working with adolescents exhibiting problem sexual behavior
• Prior experience providing MST services
• Preference for individuals meeting the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) standard of having provided 2,000 hours of direct clinical services to persons with sexual offending behavior

Clearances

Valid child abuse, PA criminal record check, FBI, and medical clearances, as well as any other clearances required by contract or agency policy

Salary grade: 18

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.