Youth Justice Therapist - Psychotherapist

Position Summary

The Youth Justice Therapist / Psychotherapist will provide individual and family therapy, clinical case management, mental health consultations and crisis support to youth ages 12‑24 in the SEEDS of Change program and other Justice Division sites. This role collaborates closely with a multidisciplinary team and may provide services at the CARC, juvenile justice center, schools, and community partners.

• Provide individual and/or family therapy and clinical case management to young people ages 12‑24.
• Conduct assessments with youth, including the CANS and TESI, to link them to additional supportive services as needed.
• Use PCOMS to obtain youth feedback and administer surveys (SF County BHS & funders).
• Apply healing‑centered, trauma‑informed, restorative justice, harm‑reduction, holistic and youth‑development practices.
• Reduce barriers to mental health services, demonstrating flexibility in approach and location of delivery.
• Provide consultation and support to SEEDS staff in moments of crisis.
• Attend and participate in program‑specific and agency‑required meetings, events, and field trips (weekly, bi‑weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual).
• Maintain accurate, timely electronic documentation in EPIC and Salesforce.
• Assist with recruitment to support family/student engagement in therapy.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments, evaluate clinical risks, develop treatment/goal plans, and apply effective interventions.
• Build rapport, engagement, and retention of youth, considering sociocultural factors.
• Apply legal and ethical standards, maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Advance clinical skills through supervision, training, and knowledge sharing.
• Co‑facilitate behavioral health groups such as Parent’s Turn or directed presentations.
• Communicate with system and community partners (e.g., Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, Young Community Developers, Legal Services for Children, SFUSD, SF Juvenile Probation).
• Engage in professional development trainings on best practices (school‑to‑prison pipeline, diversion, therapeutic modalities).
• Support administrative duties as needed (reception, filing, organization, office cleaning).
• Perform other duties required for effective youth justice programming.

• Master’s degree in social work or counseling.
• Clinical license or registration with BBS in pursuit of license.
• At least 2 years of experience providing individual therapy and/or youth development services to youth ages 12‑18 and/or Transitional Age Youth & Adults.
• Excellent critical thinking, problem‑solving, oral and written communication skills.
• Preferred:
  Bilingual capability in Spanish, Cantonese, or other threshold languages; strong preference for bilingual therapists (stipend provided).
• Knowledge of community‑based organizations serving adolescents in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Ability to work in a mobile, crisis, fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, work independently and cohesively within a culturally diverse team.
• Experience with Medi‑Cal documentation and use of EPIC.
• Awareness of cultures of San Francisco youth and families; demonstration of cultural sensitivity and responsiveness.
• Experience with Telehealth and/or other non‑traditional modalities.

• Weekly individual clinical supervision.
• Group clinical supervision (3×/month + team meeting).
• BBS hours if needed.
• Ongoing training and support in a learning environment.
• Agency commitment to addressing compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
• Opportunity to work with a diverse client population.
• Full medical/dental/vision coverage, acupuncture and chiropractic benefits, and generous vacation time.

This position is based at 44 Gough St. in San Francisco and requires services at the Juvenile Justice Center, local schools, community organizations, and other HYP programs. The role includes driving and transporting youth and using standard office equipment. The office is located in the Hayes Valley/Civic Center neighborhoods and is accessible by public transportation with a parking lot for staff.

The role requires the ability to talk, hear, sit, drive personal…