Therapist (Nassau County, NY)

This position involves frequent travel in and around Nassau County, NY.

The Vera Institute of Justice is a private, non-profit organization that combines expertise in research, demonstration projects, and technical assistance to help leaders in government and civil society improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety. Vera is dedicated to making government policies and practices more fair, humane, and efficient. Adolescent Portable Therapy (APT) is an innovative substance abuse and mental health treatment program for juvenile justice and child welfare involved adolescents and their families that was created by Vera and is now in its 9th year of operation.

APT addresses adolescent substance abuse and mental health problems using a family-centered, strengths-based approach to treatment, combining elements of cognitive-behavioral and family therapy. APT works closely with the multiple government systems involved with adolescents in order to ensure continuity of care.

The current project is a new partnership with the Nassau County Juvenile Treatment Court and Probation Department. The therapist will have time divided between the APT office, in lower Manhattan, for supervision and paperwork, and Nassau County (NY). Office space will be provided in the Nassau County Probation Department office in Westbury, and therapy services take place in client homes through Nassau County.

Responsibilities
Therapists conduct intensive family and individual therapy sessions, focused on substance use and family functioning. In some cases sessions will be conducted in Spanish, as per the family’s needs. These sessions take place in the community, not in the APT office. Therapists employ a treatment model developed at APT, and also provide crisis intervention and case management. Therapists also collaborate with various agencies regarding service delivery to individual participants and advocate for families facing service delivery problems with schools, foster care, and the courts. Therapists receive close supervision and training in family work. Therapists must be flexible and resourceful.

Qualifications
• Masters in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field
• Interest in and commitment to family therapy necessary
• Experience providing substance abuse, health, mental health or counseling services to families and adolescents preferred
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred, as is ability to work with a culturally diverse population
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Frequent travel in and around Nassau County area required
• Position contingent upon clearance by the NY Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment

Salary
$40,000+ (depending on education and experience) and excellent benefits.

How To Apply
Please submit cover letter and resume.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
Online submission is preferred.

However, if necessary, materials may be mailed or faxed to
ATTN: Human Resources / APT Therapist Nassau Recruitment
Vera Institute of Justice
233 Broadway, 12th Flr.
New York, NY 10004
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.

The Vera Institute of Justice values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.