Mental Health Counselor

Kindezi Black Perinatal Wellness is a perinatal behavioral health program at Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS) focused on increasing racially and culturally-congruent practices and interventions for Black/African American birthing families in San Francisco. We are seeking a behavioral health clinician to join our team. Kindezi works in collaboration with UCSF EMBRACE, Homeless Children’s Network’s Black Birthing Health Initiative, Rafiki Coalition for Health & Wellness, Black Infant Health, and other community birthworkers to reduce inequitable care and Black maternal and infant birthing disparities.

We seek mission-driven, passionate candidates who have perinatal and/or maternal mental health experience and demonstrated commitment to fostering anti-racist practice, racial justice, and equity in behavioral health care access and service delivery. We aim to foster an environment of inclusion and belonging, and to create a team from backgrounds that reflect and represent the diversity of families served in our new innovative program.

Summary of Responsibilities

The RAMS Kindezi Mental Health Counselor is a critical member of the team. This role works in tandem with the Program Coordinator to implement new outreach and engagement practices for Black birthing individuals and families in San Francisco, and is responsible for offering culturally relevant perinatal mental health care that promotes client satisfaction and retention. Services are offered virtually and in-person, and include home visits.

Essential Duties include, but not limited to

• Provide direct services including behavioral health assessment, counseling, and case management to Black birthing families
• Consult as needed with prenatal care team members, including medical providers, midwives, doulas, lactation educators/consultants, etc. for comprehensive and quality integrated care
• Co-facilitate childbirth education and/or postpartum peer support groups with a birth worker
• Design, facilitate, and/or participate in community engagement activities to promote holistic wellness and village-building among birthing individuals and families
• Actively engage in clinical consultation and other multidisciplinary co-learning spaces
• Complete all required clinical documentation
• Support outreach efforts including attending select weekend community events
• Perform other related duties as assigned/required

Educational Level, Experience, and Other Requirements

• MS/MA in Psychology, MFT, Clinical or Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, or related field, from an accredited university
• Current BBS or Board of Psychology licensure
• Three years of direct services experience providing behavioral counseling to underserved/unserved adults, children & families
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interface professionally with diverse, multi-cultural, and interdisciplinary staff at all levels
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently, and to ask for help when needed

• Other Preferred Qualifications
• Familiarity with the diverse mental health needs of Black/African American individuals and communities and the historic social, political, economic influences and obstacles to wellness
• Previous experience working with Black/African American individuals and/or families
• Knowledge and previous experience related to perinatal, maternal, and/or infant and early childhood mental health, particularly best practices and supportive interventions for those exposed to traumatic events
• Group facilitation skills
• Familiarity and experience with virtual meeting and social media platforms and messaging applications