LGBTQ Therapist - Lakewood

ROLE SUMMARY Reports directly to the Vice President of Affirming Care or designated supervisor. Provides direct therapy services to young people, aged 14-17, and their families, within agency policies, including home visits, transportation of young people in agency or personal vehicle, etc. The LGBTQ Therapist caries a caseload of 6 or more LGBTQ identified youth residing in or transitioning from the Lakewood Group Home.

Utilization of good verbal and written communication with employees, referring agencies, community resources and young people/families. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values:
Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position.  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & CORE RESPONSIBILITIESCarries a selected load of young people, aged 14-17, and families as assigned from the Lakewood-LGBTQ Group Home, focusing on the use of individual, group or family treatment modalities, including the YAP model to support family reunification.

Engage youth, offering creative approach to encourage youth participation in therapy

Formulates and frequently reviews treatment plans with supervisor

Develops and implements treatment plans

Collaborates with LGBTQ Site Coordinator to ensure delivery of services

Participates in evaluation and planning of conferences/staffing

Provides data, information and the treatment goals to treatment team. Works with treatment team, collaterals, and families in completing assessments and developing the treatment plan Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms. Requires knowledge of minority stress models, providing therapeutic support to children and young people who are coming out, gender exploration and identity, sexual orientation, and relationship dynamics.

Demonstrates an understanding of the intersectional identities and experiences of LGBTQIA+ young people, including those related to race, disability, and neurodivergence

Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization

Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants

Interprets agency's services to assigned young people

Attends Agency and other professional seminars and conferences to increase professional knowledge and skills

When necessary, liaison to DCFS or other agency (courts, school districts, etc.), communicating goals and progress toward their accomplishment

Works with the team on meeting needs of young people for community programs (schools, recreation, jobs, vocational opportunities, medical, etc.)Documents contact with young people and family (clinical documentation requirements)
Participates in psychotropic medication reviews

Handles psychiatric hospitalization and attending all required staffing meetings

Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect

Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences

Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve-month period

Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery

Performs the above tasks under close weekly support, supervision, training, and direction of the supervisor

Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned

Maintains electronic calendar to provide accounting for daily activities and provides permissions for viewing to the appropriate individuals

Gathers assessment data and enters it into the DCFS Outcomes Module on an ongoing basis

Completes clinical documentation in accordance with Medicaid…