Mental Health Therapist

Reports to:

Director of Special Services

General

Summary:

To assist students with disabilities in overcoming their emotional problems or learning appropriate coping techniques, so they can function in a regular educational setting. To assist the families of these students in supporting their student’s efforts.

• Participate, as assigned, in multidisciplinary team evaluations of students referred for possible emotional handicaps.
• Provide individual therapeutic services to students with emotional disabilities in accordance with their IEPs, and others as requested by supervisor.
• Consult with and provide in-service to teachers regarding therapeutic strategies to use with individuals, small groups and classes.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the therapist’s role as a related service provider within the scope of special education programming and participate in case conferences, as requested, on specific students.
• Collaborate in the development of IEP goals and objectives for specific students, as well as the determination of how, and by whom, the goals will be addressed.
• Collaborate in the development of Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans as a member of the multidisciplinary IEP team for a student, and/or as a support to general education and special education teachers in this process.
• Act as a contact person for students in crisis and as a resource to building level staff, including conducting crisis assessments and participating in crisis intervention with specific students, as requested by the administration.
• Provide family counseling per case conference decision.
• Provide parenting classes as needed, and at the request of the supervisor.
• Provide group therapy sessions as needs arise.
• Implements a variety of psychiatric interventions, therapeutic techniques, and assessments in working with children, youth and their families.
• Be involved in community liaison/public-relation activities with agency partners such as mental health, welfare and probation, as appropriate.
• Facilitate the coordination of Wraparound services, local alternative service plans and applications for residential services.
• Facilitate in the counseling components needed after a death/community crisis.

• Masters in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or equivalent
• Indiana Teaching License preferred
• Experience Working with children and families
• Therapeutic Focus
• Knowledgeable about Special Education rules and regulations