Provide individual, group, and family therapy to clients in a residential substance use disorder treatment facility. Responsible for clinical assessments, treatment planning, and crisis intervention within a multidisciplinary team.
The Mental Health Therapist provides individual, group, and family therapy to clients receiving residential treatment for substance use disorders, often in conjunction with co-occurring mental health conditions. The Therapist is a core member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, responsible for clinical assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and discharge/aftercare planning within a 24-hour residential care setting. This role requires close collaboration with medical staff, case managers, and program leadership to deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed, and client-centered care. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments for clients upon admission, including substance use history, mental health history, risk assessment, and treatment needs.
Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients, the multidisciplinary team, and (where applicable) family members.
Provide individual therapy sessions using evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed care.
Facilitate process and psychoeducational group therapy sessions on topics including relapse prevention, coping skills, emotional regulation, and co-occurring disorders.
Conduct family therapy sessions and family education as clinically appropriate and consistent with client treatment goals.
Perform ongoing risk assessments for suicidality, self-harm, and danger to others, and respond promptly to clinical emergencies and crises in accordance with facility protocol.
Participate in daily clinical team meetings, treatment team staffing, and case consultations to coordinate care across medical, clinical, and case management staff.
Maintain timely, accurate, and clinically sound documentation in the electronic health record, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries, in compliance with facility policy, licensing regulations, and payer requirements.
Develop comprehensive discharge and aftercare plans, including referrals to outpatient treatment, sober living, psychiatric care, and community resources.
Coordinate with utilization review and insurance/payer representatives to support continued stay authorizations and level-of-care determinations, as needed.
Maintain compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, including 42 CFR Part 2 (confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records), HIPAA, and California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) licensing and certification standards.
Respond to clinical needs of clients across the milieu, supporting a therapeutic and safe environment in collaboration with behavioral health technicians and nursing staff.
Participate in on-call rotation, as applicable, to support clinical coverage outside of standard business hours.
Engage in regular clinical supervision (required for Associate-level clinicians) and ongoing professional development. Perform other clinical duties as assigned by the Clinical Director.
Market context
In California, mental health therapist roles are often competitive because employers look for clinicians who can work with severe mental illness, use evidence-based care, and function well in collaborative medical settings. This role stands out for requiring an active California license and experience with CBT or DBT, while the listed benefits include medical, dental, vision, parental leave, and well-being programs. Before applying, confirm your license status and prepare examples of treating complex cases; the job requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original posting, which can save you time reviewing the source description.
