Program Therapist FFAST

and the job listing Expires on January 31, 2026

By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day – are you ready to make an impact?

Join us – and work with purpose!

Monday and Friday: (9AM-5PM) Tuesday-Thursday: (11AM-7PM), FT-40 hours per week

• Team-oriented, multidisciplinary approach
• Ongoing, high-level learning and development opportunities
• Culturally diverse environment
• Joint Commission Accredited Organization
• Retirement savings plan: 403(b) – with employer match up to 3%
• Generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
• Wellness programs
• EAP – Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts for those pursuing a higher education
• Employee recognition program
• Opportunities for career advancement
• May be eligible for state or federal loan forgiveness programs for work with underserved populations
• All offsite programs have a bonus structure

Therapists will provide youth residing on the San Pasqual Campus (Group Home and Resource Family/FFA homes), and their families, an array of culturally competent and trauma-informed therapeutic services, and work in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. In addition to therapeutic interventions, Therapists must provide case management, ongoing collaboration with external professionals, discharge planning for the children/families and maintain collaborative partnerships with the youth and families they serve.

Services will be provided onsite at the San Pasqual Campus and in the community as needed.

(Other duties may be assigned)

• Maintains productivity expectations for full-time therapists, currently baseline of 140 hours per quarter. Caseload varies depending on program and client needs with average caseload typically 10-12
• Provides general orientation of youth and family to the SPOT Program and treatment options
• Completes comprehensive intake assessment that includes mental health, physical health, risk, trauma, etc.
• Formulates, monitors, and revises problem list and care plan, which addresses specific short-term and long-term goals, for the child and family based on assessments and input from the multi-disciplinary treatment team
• Assists families in creating crisis/safety plans as needed to prevent/respond to unsafe behaviors
• Facilitates a wide array of therapeutic interventions within individual/family therapy based on relevant evidence based and evidence informed modalities (e.g., TF-CBT, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, Positive Discipline, CBT, DBT, Solution Focused, Narrative Therapy, etc.)
• Provides group therapy to increase youth’s self-sufficiency, independence, resiliency, hope, and sense of self-worth
• Maintains accurate, complete, and timely records per applicable regulations and requirements (e.g., EPSDT, PWB)
• Maintains strong commitment to CYFSOC principles in the treatment provided to youth and families
• Utilizes supervision, consultation, and training to provide high quality services in an effective manner

• Maintains regular communication with FFAST direct service and administration staff, group home/FFA staff, and other service providers to coordinate treatment efforts and connect youth to community resources as needed
• Maintains regular communication with Social Workers, Probation Officers, and other important team members (biological parents, teachers, CASA’s, psychiatrist, etc.) to coordinate treatment efforts and connect youth to community resources as needed
• Completes training as directed to meet the specialized needs of youth residing at the San Pasqual Campus (i.e., CSEC, SUD, etc.)
• Displays a commitment to anti-racism and engages in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within clinical work, the program, and the organization
• Fulfills all contractual and organizational training requirements

Ability to read, analyze, and…