Mental Health Therapist-Texas Juvenile Justice Department

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• $2000.00 sign‑on‑bonus, payable at the 6‑month mark.

The Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Illness (TCOOMMI) LPHA, under the supervision of Diversion Services Supervisor, performs complex therapeutic and psychosocial intake services including counseling, screening, CANS, diagnoses, skills training, routine case management, and other clinical tasks for a caseload of juvenile individuals involved in the Texas criminal justice system who have severe and persistent mental illness.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Providing intakes and conducting psychosocial and diagnostic assessments, including the CANS.
• Connecting individuals to medication providers and coordinating outside services prior to release from jail.
• Collaborating with jail, probation, community, and natural support staff to assist clients as they navigate the criminal justice system.
• Developing individual recovery plans with clients and families to determine appropriate routes of services and levels of care.
• Stabilizing mental‑health symptoms, reducing recidivism risk, increasing community engagement, and supporting independent mental‑health care participation.
• Ensuring services comply with TCOOMMI Program Guidelines and ICM processes.
• Providing person‑directed skills training and psychosocial rehabilitation to promote coping and community success.
• Initiating and completing uniform assessments, documenting service plans, and coordinating interventions to achieve outcomes.
• Maintaining timely and thorough documentation, effective scheduling, crisis‑procedure compliance, and coverage as needed.
• Practicing stewardship of resources, completing required background checks and training, and maintaining issued equipment.
• Adhering to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Administrative Code, contract, grant, and Lifepath Systems policies.
• Building positive relationships with local courts, jail staff, juvenile justice probation, and mental‑health professionals to increase referrals and coordinate care.

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or related field (required).
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) – required.
• Knowledge of CCBHC and trauma‑informed care practices (preferred).
• CBT, CPT, TF‑CBT, Play Therapy, and/or PCIT certification preferred.
• At least two years of related experience and/or training in mental‑health, jail diversion, or juvenile justice (preferred).
• Experience in jail diversion services, psychotherapy, case management, skills training, and symptom management for individuals with mental illness.
• Effective independent and collaborative work, strong communication, crisis‑intervention skills.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge of DSM‑5.
• Able to assess needs, coordinate services, and communicate effectively.
• Strong documentation, time‑management, organizational, and scheduling skills.
• Strong empathy, patience, and ability to manage potentially dangerous emotional situations.
• Computer‑proficient and organized.
• Strong multicultural competency.
• Ability to think clearly, logically, and use de‑escalation techniques.

Entry level

Full‑time

Other

Mental Health Care