Shelter and Community Therapist

The Therapist is responsible for providing trauma-informed, crisis-focused individual and family therapy services to youth residing in the Runaway & Teen Crisis Program shelter, as well as youth and families receiving short-term community-based behavioral health services.

This position provides crisis assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, advocacy, referral, and care coordination while working collaboratively with shelter staff to ensure youth receive comprehensive, individualized support. The Therapist serves all youth residing in the shelter who require therapeutic services while maintaining an active community-based caseload of crisis clients.

The Therapist is an essential member of the Crisis Services team and participates in the agency’s rotating on-call schedule to provide after-hours consultation and crisis response as needed.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Shelter Therapy Services

Provide trauma-informed individual and family therapy to youth residing in the Runaway & Teen Crisis Program shelter and, when appropriate, their families.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and crisis assessments.
• Develop individualized treatment plans and measurable therapeutic goals.
• Provide crisis intervention, stabilization, and safety planning.
• Utilize evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions.
• Engage youth and families in the therapeutic process.
• Coordinate treatment goals with Youth & Family Specialists, Case Managers, House Manager, and Director of Crisis Services.
• Advocate for youth and families while connecting them with appropriate community resources.
• Participate in discharge planning and continuity of care.
• Complete follow-up and aftercare planning as appropriate.

The Therapist is expected to provide therapeutic services to shelter residents throughout their stay to support stabilization, emotional wellness, and successful transition from shelter.

2. Community-Based Crisis Therapy Services

Provide short-term crisis therapy services to youth and families who are not residing in the shelter.

Services include:

• Crisis assessments and treatment planning.
• Individual and family counseling.
• Crisis stabilization and safety planning.
• Care coordination and referrals.
• Connection to community resources.
• Discharge planning and transition to ongoing behavioral health providers when clinically indicated.

Community therapy services are designed as short-term crisis intervention and are generally limited to a maximum of three (3) months. When ongoing behavioral health treatment is needed beyond the crisis stabilization period, the Therapist will coordinate referrals and facilitate successful linkage to appropriate long-term community providers.

The Therapist is expected to maintain an active caseload of no fewer than ten (10) community-based clients at all times, while continuing to provide therapeutic services to youth residing in the shelter.

3. Crisis Response and On-Call Responsibilities

• Participate in the agency’s rotating on-call schedule as assigned.
• Respond to after-hours crisis consultations in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Provide clinical guidance and consultation to staff during crisis situations.
• Assist with emergency behavioral health needs and safety planning as necessary.
• Document all on-call activities in accordance with agency standards.

4. Consultation and Collaboration

• Provide consultation to agency staff regarding behavioral health concerns, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and treatment planning.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Crisis Services, House Manager, Youth & Family Specialists, Case Manager, Volunteer and Intern Coordinator, and other agency staff to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Participate in multidisciplinary staffing meetings and case reviews.
• Communicate effectively with community providers, schools, healthcare professionals, and partner agencies.

5. Shelter Support

Assist with maintaining a safe, therapeutic, and supportive shelter environment by:

• Supporting youth experiencing emotional or behavioral crises.
• Assisting staff with de-escalation techniques and behavioral interventions.
• Providing clinical recommendations to improve youth outcomes.
• Modeling trauma-informed and youth-centered practices.
• Supporting positive communication among youth, families, and staff

6. Master’s-Level Clinical Intern Supervision

• Provide supervision and mentorship to Master’s-level counseling and social work interns in accordance with educational program requirements.
• Assist interns in developing clinical competencies and professional ethics.
• Review documentation and provide ongoing feedback.
• Complete required intern evaluations.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer and Intern Coordinator regarding intern recruitment, placement, orientation, and performance.

7. Outreach and Community Education

• Represent Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center within the community.
• Participate in outreach events and community partnerships.
• Provide educational presentations regarding youth mental health, crisis intervention, homelessness, trauma, and available agency services.
• Promote agency programs through collaborative partnerships.

8. Documentation and Record Management

Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation including:

• Clinical assessments
• Treatment plans
• Progress notes
• Safety plans
• Discharge summaries
• Referrals
• Outcome measures
• Required program documentation

Maintain records in accordance with agency policies, licensing regulations, HIPAA requirements, and professional ethical standards.

9. Professional Development

• • Participate in individual supervision and team meetings.
  • Attend agency trainings and clinical consultations.

• Complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education or professional development annually.

• Maintain all required professional licensure and continuing education requirements.

10. Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement

• Participate in program evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist with data collection and reporting.
• Support accreditation, grant reporting, and outcome measurement activities.

11. Other Duties

Perform additional duties as assigned to support agency operations and ensure quality services for youth and families.

Position Requirements

Education

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Professional Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
• Current Wisconsin licensure or eligibility for licensure preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience providing therapy and crisis intervention services to adolescents and families preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, family systems, motivational interviewing, and crisis intervention.
• Experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, family conflict, abuse, neglect, behavioral health challenges, or trauma preferred.
• Strong assessment, clinical documentation, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards.

Additional Requirements

• • Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.
  • Reliable transportation with proof of automobile insurance.
  • Ability to travel locally for home visits, meetings, and community appointments.
  • Ability to climb stairs and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends when necessary.

• Participation in the agency’s rotating on-call schedule is required.

Salary: $60,000–$63,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and licensure.

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm