Family Link SNAP Therapist

Position Overview 

Provides short term counseling and case management services to children, adolescents, and families with an emphasis on prevention, family strengthening, and behavioral health support. Services are provided in the office, community, and schools. The therapist works with individuals, families, and groups to address concerns including family dynamics, parenting, communication, behavioral issues, truancy and school related concerns, emotional regulation, anger management, self-esteem, grief and loss, and mental health needs. In addition to therapeutic services, the therapist assists with facilitation of evening SNAP (Stop Now and Plan) groups, an evidence-based program designed to improve emotional regulation, problem solving, self-control, and prosocial skills in children and families.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities are listed for Therapists.

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological or social work research methods; and the assessment and counseling modalities of behavioral and affective disorders. 
• Knowledge of principles, theories, models, methods, and procedures for counseling of physical/mental/emotional/behavioral dysfunctions in the capacity of individual, family, and group therapy. 
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 
• Knowledge of principles and methods for psycho-educational instruction for group counseling and the measurement of training effects. 
• Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins. 
• Knowledge of counseling rules and ethics.

Skills: 

• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. 
• Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. 
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. 
• Actively looking for ways to help people. 
• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. 

Abilities: 

• The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. 
• The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. 
• The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.  It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. 
• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. 
• The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). 

Position Duties and Responsibilities 

• Conduct comprehensive assessments, including NIRVANA and other agency-approved assessment tools, through interviews, observation, and input from youth, families, caregivers, and collateral contacts.
• Develop individualized service plans with measurable goals and objectives designed to address identified needs and promote positive outcomes for youth and families.
• Provide individual, family, and group counseling services utilizing evidence-based and trauma-informed practices to address behavioral, emotional, family, school, and community-related concerns.
• Deliver case management services, including service coordination, referrals, advocacy, linkage to community resources, and collaboration with schools, courts, healthcare providers, and other community partners.
• Monitor client progress, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and adjust interventions and service plans as needed to support successful outcomes and timely case closure.
• Maintain an assigned caseload and meet productivity expectations established by the agency and supervisor.
• Conduct outreach and engagement efforts to connect youth and families with services and improve participation and retention.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate SNAP (Stop Now and Plan) group sessions utilizing the approved curriculum and evidence-based interventions.
• Support youth and caregivers in developing emotional regulation, problem solving, communication, conflict resolution, and prosocial skills through SNAP programming.
• Coordinate with schools, families, and community partners to support participant engagement and successful completion of SNAP services.
• Assist with SNAP outreach, enrollment, retention, graduation activities, and other program-related functions as assigned.
• Complete all required documentation, case notes, assessments, service plans, attendance records, outcome measures, discharge summaries, and other client records accurately and within established timeframes.
• Enter and maintain data in agency and funder-required databases in accordance with quality improvement, contractual, accreditation, and agency standards.
• Prepare, maintain, and close client files in accordance with agency policies, clinical standards, and funding requirements.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, sound clinical judgment, creativity, and flexibility when addressing client needs and program challenges.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with clients, families, coworkers, referral sources, and community stakeholders through effective verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills through timely completion of assignments, documentation, emails, deadlines, and other job responsibilities.
• Participate in required supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience 

Education and Experience: Master's degree in social work, mental health counseling, or related area of study from an accredited college or university recognized by the Florida Department of Education and two years of related experience in social work or counseling with at-risk youth and families; licensed-eligible in the State of Florida preferred. A valid Florida driver’s license and safe driving record is required.

Mathematical Skills and Reasoning Ability

Basic and/or advanced computational skills may be necessary.

Physical Demands 

This is a sedentary position, and the incumbent will be required to sit approximately 70 per cent of the time.  Little to moderate lifting of less than 25 lbs. may be required.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.