GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The contract play therapist position will report to the Director of Family Support/Mental Health Services and the Lead Mental Health Therapist collectively.  The individual will work collaboratively with the Center Team Directors, social work team, classroom teachers, parents, and referred children in carrying out our mental health program for children and families. The focus of this position is to provide a resource for assessment and therapeutic support for children that may have challenging behaviors.  The support will include play therapy services for children between the ages 2-5 that are enrolled in our early childhood education program.  This position may also work with children that are between the ages of 6-10 who are the siblings of our early childhood students and/or who are enrolled in our Summer Camp Program.

 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct assessments of children in order to lead to recommendations for the development of a parent/child mental health intervention plan.
• Provide trauma specific interventions for children affected by homelessness in the childcare
• Meet with children for weekly sessions in a therapeutic
• Work collaboratively with all team members to integrate assessments and interventions into the comprehensive plan for the child/family.
• Refer out for mental health consultation for further assessment or community resources, if
• Provide crisis intervention in the classroom as
• Work with parents individually and in group to teach parents proactive behavioral prevention Provide education, guidance, and support for families.
• Prepare and deliver oral and written case presentations to the team and
• Provide timely documentation for all clinical assessments, individual, family, and group sessions, treatment goal development, progress, and discharge summaries.
• Maintain records as required by organization policies and regulatory and accrediting
• Maintain compliance with organizational
• Participate in program, committee and other staff meetings as
• Perform other duties as

 SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Effective counseling
• Excellent clinical skills in developing strategic plans of care to address specific
• Compassion and patience to work with children who can sometimes present with challenging behaviors.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, especially the ability to relate to
• Ability to listen and truly understand the child’s feelings and emotions.
• Ability to serve as a calm and efficient
• Ability to work between the hours of 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM to schedule meetings with children and/or parents as

 EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in counseling, education, social work or related field with experience working with parents and children impacted by trauma.
• Licensed in one of the following:
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Certification as a Play Therapist or working towards certification.
• A minimum of two years of experience in providing trauma informed clinical services to young children and their families.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking a

Vogel Alcove offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, a generous benefits plan for regular full-time and regular part-time employees and a great working environment. Qualified candidates should submit resume and cover letter with salary history to HR@vogelalcove.org.