Sister Circle Mental Health Community Therapist

Description

The Women’s Initiative (TWI) provides vital mental health services to women and members of the gender-expansive community free of charge. Our services are based on the Resilience Model of Care, which is a holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach to mental health services. We deliver compassionate high-quality counseling, social support, and education programs that serve thousands of people in Charlottesville and surrounding areas annually. The Sister Circle program aims to meet the mental health and wellness needs of Black and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) women and communities. TWI partners with a variety of nonprofit organizations such as the Shelter for Help in Emergency, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, the Free Clinic, the International Rescue Committee, and many others to provide collaborative care and services.

What We Do

The Women’s Initiative provides free trauma-informed, culturally responsive counseling services and resilience programs that meet the unique needs of women, and Black, BIPOC, Latiné, and LGBTQIA+ communities. We develop partnerships with organizations to increase access to mental health services for all people in our community with barriers to care.

Mission

The mission of The Women’s Initiative is to provide women with effective counseling, social support, and education so they can transform challenges into positive change and growth.

Vision

All people in our community will have access to innovative, effective, evidence-based mental health care.

Values

We believe everyone has a capacity for healing. We are committed to identifying and supporting each person’s needs and strengths and providing compassionate care that maintains the highest standards of excellence in an environment that is welcoming, safe, and supportive.

Location

Our main office is located at 1101 East High Street.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries and benefits packages for employees including substantial paid time off, self-care hours, clinical supervision, continuing education and professional development, retirement savings plan, and excellent health insurance.

Position Description

Job Summary

The Women’s Initiative values team resilience, morale, and performance, and credits our success to the individual efforts of our dedicated staff to execute our organizational goals. The Sister Circle Mental Health Community Therapist position is responsible for providing individual counseling and support for the Sister Circle program as well as individual counseling to counseling participants across Public Housing locations including: Sixth Street, Kindlewood, Michie Drive, Madison Avenue, and Riverside Drive.

This position will also provide back-up support for South 1st Street, Westhaven, and Crescent Hall (currently supported by Sister Circle Staff). Community needs will consist of workshops, presentations, surveying, outreach, train-the-trainer, wellness consults, group therapy, and reoccurring counseling appointments.

Therapist will fulfill prescheduled community appointments, conduct mental health services for 2-3 hours across the five offsite locations during the work week. Then report back to the Sister Circle Director about community trends, requests, needs, and referrals.

Job Duties

Essential Functions

Provide effective mental health therapy to participants in compliance with appropriate ethics and regulations, primarily utilizing a brief therapy model.

Provide individual psychotherapy, (including walk-in and call-in clinics) and maintain a caseload comprised primarily of Sister Circle counseling participants.

Maintain current documentation in Electronic Medical Records (EMR)/digital participant charts and handle paper participant files in compliance with HIPAA standards and agency policy.

Participate in weekly supervision with clinical supervisor depending on number of hours of work and experience.

Provide effective referrals to community organizations and facilitate applicable follow-up processes to support a continuum of care for participants.

Engage in continuing education and professional development to remain up to date on best practices and licensure.

Attend weekly clinical team meetings and in-house consultation and training.

Adhere to the code of ethics and HIPAA requirements.

Additional Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Sister Circle Program team to deliver high quality compassionate culturally responsive care to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) counseling and program participants.

Engage in community outreach and education on behalf of the agency and Sister Circle program team.

Adhere to all documentation requirements of the counseling program and the staff.

Contribute to a workplace culture that empowers and supports staff members and centers individual and collective wellness.

Occasionally, staff are required to attend agency sponsored events.

Coordination with Property Managers, Resident Services Coordinators and Staff.

Support initiatives destigmatizing therapy for BIPOC communities.

Consistent presence at Public Housing events

Skills Required

Competencies

Knowledgeable about the particular needs and mental health concerns related to housing insecurity, health impacts of living in public housing, and attunement to the social determinants of health.

Knowledgeable and passionate about the Black and BIPOC communities

Experience offering individual and group psychotherapy

Knowledgeable and passionate about integration of mind-body approaches in psychotherapy

Team oriented with a strength-based approach to services

Basic computer skills including Microsoft office, and Telehealth platforms (Zoom)

Understanding of trauma-informed care approaches and integration of Resilience skills

Education and Experience

Master’s Degree required.

Post-graduate counseling experience preferred but not required.

1-3 years of experience (can included practicum and/or graduate internship)

Work Schedule

M,T,W,Th,F 9am-5pm; One day per week,12pm-8pm

Additional Info

Cultural Humility Statement

The Women’s Initiative defines cultural humility as an ongoing process of critical self-reflection, recognizing and mitigating power imbalances, and holding ourselves accountable at the institutional level. It is an integral component of our mission. Our staff participates in cultural humility learning opportunities to deepen our awareness of ways we can contribute to a more just workplace and community.

Outreach and Events

All staff are required to attend certain events including community outreach, fundraising, professional development, retreats, and other activities as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary that will be offered for this position will be based on the candidate’s number of years of experience with similar responsibilities, related education and certifications, and highly beneficial skills and talents relevant to the role including clinical licensure.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Women’s Initiative is committed to providing a non-discriminatory and inclusive environment for its employees. We actively promote diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, and disability status. The Women’s Initiative is a trauma-informed and culturally responsive organization that promotes a healthy work-life balance for all staff.

For more information about The Women’s Initiative, please visit www.thewomensinitiative.org

To Apply

A resume and cover letter are required in order to be considered for this position.

Send resume and cover letter to:

hr@thewomensinitiative.org

Please write: Sister Circle Mental Health Therapist in the email subject line.