Therapist (MST-CAN)

Salary: $64,350-$66,300/yr

Position Summary:

MST-CAN Therapists are responsible for providing model adherent, culturally competent, clinically oriented, short-term treatment to Families on our Specialized Teen Multi Systemic Therapy- Child Abuse and Neglect (MST- CAN) program in Manhattan. MST-CAN therapists report to the MST-CAN supervisor.
MST- CAN is a clinical, evidence-based intensive family therapy model of approximately 6-9-months duration. This program works with the whole family with a focus on the parent and working with them to improve family functioning utilizing such tools as TF-CBT, prolonged exposure, drug treatment and family therapy techniques. Our MST-CAN program is exclusively home-based and works with the whole family unit.

Children's Aid Mission:

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children's Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children's Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children's health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.
We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.
We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.
We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties:

General responsibilities for the position of an MST- CAN Therapist will include, but are not limited to:

* Carry caseload of approximately 4-5 MST-CAN cases
* Fulfill all OCFS, and ACS accountability requirements including timely completion of FASPs, Progress Notes and Plan Amendments
* Comply with all ACS timelines for outreach on new cases.
* Complete all home-based contacts and seek to maintain 10-12 case work contacts per month per family as specified by the model.
* Attend all MST-CAN trainings as required as well as all mandated ACS trainings.
* Participate in all weekly Group Supervision and Consultation sessions with MST-CAN Supervisor and MST-CAN consultant
* Complete all MST-CAN documentation in a timely manner.

* 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
* Engage primary caregiver and other key participants in active change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement
* Implement a problem conceptualization, treatment planning, intervention implementation, outcome review and strategy revision procedure using the MST Analytic Process
* 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
* Collaborate with all relevant systems and key participants within each system to ensure their buy-in and cooperation throughout MST-CAN treatment
* Provide direct clinical treatment using methods compatible with MST principles and practices.
* Build a relationship with community stakeholders (i.e., child protection services, Guardians, judges, schools, etc.) to ensure cooperation among service providers.
* Be available by phone 24/7 or as needed to respond to client crises. This includes ability to conduct sessions on weekends as needed, to accommodate client availability
* Ability to work flexible hour, including working remotely in the field, community or various CA offices to meet the needs of families and improve efficiency and management of time and resources
* Participate in all FTC's as prescribed by ACS.
* Accept other tasks as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

* Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or a related subject area.
* Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred but not required.
* Ability and willingness to work with families and teens in the home, school and other appropriate settings in the community.
* Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed.
* Ability to work independently, as well as contribute to a team.
* Strong clinical skills and ability to work under pressure with high risk, crisis oriented cases
* Very good interpersonal/communication skills, including ability to write well and meet copious amount of documentation in a timely manner.
* Computer literate.

Key Competencies:

* Direct use of pragmatic (i.e., structural, strategic and functional) family therapies
* Individual therapy with children and adults using cognitive behavioral techniques
* Marital therapy using behaviorally-based approaches
* Substance abuse treatment for adults and children using behaviorally-based approaches
* Behavioral therapy targeting behavioral change in children at home and school
* Trauma treatment for adults and children using exposure, cognitive therapies, and stress inoculation training
* Implementation of interventions within or between systems in the youth's natural ecology that affect or influence the behavior of youth (i.e., family, peer, school, and neighborhood)

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not to tolerate discrimination, harassment or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.