DELAWARE GUIDANCE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN·Lewes, Delaware
Provide clinical behavioral health services, including individual, group, and family therapy, for youth in a Crisis Bed Program. Responsible for conducting risk assessments, developing discharge plans, and providing clinical consultation to the care team.
Under the supervision of the Crisis Program Manager, the Crisis Bed Therapist is responsible for providing clinical behavioral health services to clients in the Crisis Bed Program and will carry a small outpatient caseload.
This position will provide individual, group, and family therapy for youth admitted to the Crisis Bed Program with a wide variety of psychological and emotional problems (ie. aggressive and defiant behavior due to problems with emotion regulation, suicidal/homicidal ideation, plans, or attempts, family conflicts, etc.) to ensure the safety and wellbeing of clients in a Crisis Bed setting.
The incumbent is responsible for clinical consultation to Mental Health Technicians, Crisis Bed Shift Supervisors and Crisis Bed Coordinator.
They are dedicated and committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and therapeutic client care.
In addition, the incumbent is responsible for documentation of clinical and case management services provided from intake through discharge.
Collaborate closely with Crisis Bed Coordinator to ensure highest clinical standards are maintained
Conduct psychosocial assessments to document client history and identify preliminary issues for treatment focus by interviewing the client and their family members.
Provide individual, group, and family therapy in addition to crisis intervention using various treatment modalities
Develop and coordinate an individualized discharge plan for the client by utilizing the treatment team, determine aftercare needs, identify and assess family and community resources, and provide referrals as needed
Conduct risk assessments to determine appropriate level of care
Apply knowledge related to developmental factors, family, and community systems to participate in the development and implementation of a person-centered treatment plan
Deliver solution-focused and trauma-informed clinical interventions to maintain safety, build skills, and address problem solving, communication, and relationship conflicts
Use critical thinking and risk management skills when connecting with clients in Crisis Bed
Understand warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide risk and risk of harm to others
Maintain professional, trauma-informed, and empathetic interactions during interactions with children, families, and stakeholders
Develop comprehensive skills providing support for children and youth in Crisis Bed
Review and sign clinical documentation from Mental Health Technicians, Crisis Bed Shift Supervisors and Crisis Bed Coordinator
Supervisory responsibilities: none
Work environment: Lewes, DE
Travel required: Travel for specific tasks
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware. We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and we are the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO. In 2020, we were honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma-informed approach.
Through DGS, clients and families have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school-based services.
Our community-based service lines serve youth and families who require a more intense therapeutic protocol.
DGS’ 24-hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatches skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises.
Therapeutic options are available for a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress-related disorders, and suicidal ideation.
In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware.
Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and therapeutic benefits derived from trauma-informed care extend to clients’ siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers.
Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. Many of our clients present with significant treatment challenges including learning impacts due to missed school and negative economic impact due to parental missed work. We provide care to anyone in need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay for care. DGS also provides services specifically tailored to meet the unique behavioral health care needs of child welfare-involved families and foster youth
Why Work at Delaware Guidance Services?
Requires a Master's degree and active clinical licensure in Delaware (LCSW, LPCMH, LMFT, or Psychologist). A minimum of two years of relevant full-time post-graduate experience is required.
Market context
In Delaware, behavioral-health openings for psychiatric nurse practitioners are often shaped by steady demand for access to mental health care, especially in settings that use telepsychiatry to reach more patients. This role is competitive because it requires board certification, an active unrestricted license, 4+ years of post-graduate experience, and comfort with EMRs; the listed pay and benefits reflect that level of specialization. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your telepsychiatry and documentation experience before applying.
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