Mental Health Therapist - Serious Mental Illness

About Valle del Sol

Join Valle del Sol in our commitment to providing quality, culturally sensitive integrated primary care and behavioral health services to adults, children, and adolescents in need. Valle del Sol offers a diverse work environment, competitive pay and benefits, and the opportunity for training and advancement.

Job Description:

The Mental Health Therapist provides therapeutic services and care coordination using individual, group, family, and evidence-based treatment approaches based on patient needs. Mental Health Therapists conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, provide clinical interventions, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support whole-person wellness and recovery.

Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented, and patient-centered approach, the Mental Health Therapist promotes patient engagement, symptom reduction, improved functioning, and positive health outcomes through integrated behavioral health services.

Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

• Provide therapy and recovery-oriented services to individuals designated as Seriously Mentally Ill.
• Coordinate care with psychiatric providers, hospitals, RBHA representatives, and community partners.
• Support transitions following hospitalization, crisis episodes, residential treatment, or incarceration.
• Assist patients with housing, benefits, transportation, employment, and community resource needs.
• Participate in ART meetings and recovery-focused service planning.

Clinical Assessment & Treatment Planning

• Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, reassessments, screenings, and evaluations to identify patient needs and determine appropriate levels of care.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments, annual reassessments, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized service plans, safety plans, crisis plans, and treatment interventions.
• Assign diagnoses and formulate clinical recommendations consistent with licensure, credentialing, and organizational standards.
• Monitor patient progress, acuity, and treatment outcomes, adjusting interventions as clinically indicated.

Therapeutic Service Delivery

• Provide individual, family, and group therapy utilizing evidence-based and trauma-informed treatment approaches.
• Deliver specialty interventions and services based on program assignment and clinical competency.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, stabilization, and care coordination.
• Provide psychoeducation, skill development, crisis intervention, stabilization, and therapeutic support to patients and families.
• Maintain a clinically appropriate caseload while meeting quality, productivity, and service expectations.

Care Coordination & Collaboration

• Coordinate care with patients, families, medical providers, psychiatric providers, schools, community agencies, and other stakeholders to support integrated, whole-person care.
• Participate in Child and Family Team (CFT), Adult Recovery Team (ART), interdisciplinary staffing, and treatment planning meetings.
• Facilitate continuity of care through referrals, transitions, discharge planning, and coordination of services.
• Assess and address social determinants of health and barriers impacting patient wellness and treatment engagement.

Documentation, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation in accordance with agency, payer, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
• Complete required assessments, screenings, treatment updates, and outcome measures within established timelines.
• Adhere to documentation standards, productivity expectations, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with Arizona Vision, the 12 Principles, and applicable behavioral health regulations.

Patient & Family Engagement

• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships that support patient engagement, recovery, and treatment participation.
• Utilize culturally responsive, person-centered, and trauma-informed approaches in all patient interactions.
• Engage caregivers, family members, and natural supports in treatment planning and service delivery as clinically appropriate.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in supervision, training, credentialing, and professional development activities.
• Contribute to quality improvement, committee work, program development, and organizational initiatives.
• Demonstrate ethical, professional conduct consistent with Valle del Sol’s mission, values, policies, and standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

Education

Required:

• Master's degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Addiction Counseling, or a related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.

Preferred

• Specialized coursework or training in trauma-informed care, integrated healthcare, child and family services, substance use treatment, or evidence-based practices.

Experience

• Experience providing behavioral health services in community behavioral health, substance use treatment, or early childhood settings.
• Experience facilitating individual, family, and group therapy.
• Experience working with diverse and underserved populations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Active Associate-Level or Independent-Level license in good standing through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (LAC, LMSW, LAMFT, LAAC, LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LIAC, or equivalent).
• Must meet eligibility requirements for Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) designation.
• Must meet the licensure, certification, or credentialing requirements applicable to the position in accordance with Arizona law and applicable regulatory authorities.
• Must practice within the scope of applicable licensure and credentialing requirements.
• BLS certification, or ability to obtain within 5 days of start date.
• Arizona Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card, or ability to obtain within 5 days of start date.

Preferred:

• Independent licensure (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LIAC).
• Specialized certifications or advanced training in DBT, EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Substance Use Treatment, or other evidence-based practices.

Other Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be able to pass pre- and continued employment screenings successfully.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of behavioral health regulations, documentation standards, and community behavioral health systems.
• Knowledge of evidence-based treatment practices, behavioral health interventions, and recovery-oriented care principles.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, culturally responsive practices, and integrated service delivery models.
• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic formulation, treatment planning, and case conceptualization skills.
• Ability to provide effective individual, family, and group therapy utilizing evidence-based treatment approaches.
• Strong crisis intervention, risk assessment, problem-solving, and clinical decision-making abilities.
• Ability to develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on patient needs, strengths, and goals.
• Ability to coordinate care and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, community partners, and support systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality, productivity, and compliance standards.
• Strong communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and integrated care environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and comply with regulatory, accreditation, and payer requirements.
• Ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and patient-centered services.

Work Environment

This position may operate in clinical, office, or community settings including clinics, administrative offices, outreach locations, client homes, partner agencies, and community sites. Employees may interact with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges, emotional distress, or complex social needs. Standard safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required as applicable.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Typical requirements may include:

• Sitting, standing, walking, bending, and reaching for extended periods
• Operating computers, mobile devices, and standard office or clinical equipment
• Travel to various Valle del Sol locations or community sites when required
• Lifting or moving materials or equipment up to 25 pounds

Schedule & Travel

Work schedules may vary based on program needs and may include evening or weekend hours. Some positions may require local travel between Valle del Sol sites or community locations.

Equipment

Employees may operate standard office, clinical, and communication equipment including computers, phones, printers, electronic health record systems, laptops, and mobile devices.

Employees must maintain compliance with all Valle del Sol policies and applicable regulatory requirements, which may include:

• Licensure, certification, credentialing, and/or privileging requirements applicable to the position.
• Required immunizations and occupational health clearances.
• Tuberculosis (TB) testing and Hepatitis B screening or declination, when applicable.
• Arizona Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card when required by law or program.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record when operating a vehicle for company business.
• Completion and maintenance of required training, certifications, and continuing education.

Failure to obtain or maintain required credentials, clearances, or compliance requirements may impact eligibility for employment or continued assignment in the role.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Life Insurance
• Paid Disability Insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Valle del Sol is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position or to participate in the interview process, please contact us at [email protected].