counselor

clinician

licensed vocational nurse

program director

mental health therapist

Phoenix House California

Many people know Phoenix House for the Rehabilitation for Drug and Alcohol; however, I work in a different unit within Phoenix house that focuses on prevention and intervention. I work with BHIS specifically within the Strengthening Families Program as an Early Intervention Specialist. As an EIS, my job is to do outreach and provide services to the community. 

We hold parent workshops in English, Spanish, or dual depending on the community needs. We also hold our family workshops where we get to support families as they work on their bond and communication skills with their children. We provide dinner to the families and lessons tailored to the age group. All of our services are free and we utilize the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) to prevent the chance of risky behavior, violence, and alcohol/substance abuse. 

At the moment we are working a hybrid schedule, half day in the office and half day work from home unless we are providing services to the community. I think that has given a lot of work/life balance and flexibility. The workplace culture is pleasant. Everyone is respectful, supportive, and understands the mission we are on when it comes to supporting our families in the community. I look forward to coming into the office ready to make a difference for students and families.

 I think the most challenging part of the job is the growing pains because of the changes and expansion; however, I see this in a positive light because if there is expansion that means the work we are doing is making a great impact on the community and more help is required to get the job done. I love being with the parents and families. I get to witness their transformation and hear about the lifetime impact we have made in just a short period of time. If you want to wake up with purpose, aspire to be of great positive influence, and value a healthy work culture, this is the place to be!

What is the best part of working at the company?
Horrible upper leadership. Staff is over worked and overwhelmed. Leadership is highly inconsiderate to staff needs; Staff is unsupported; Constant problems with the internet and  accessing the data bank system;  One constantly is dinged for being 1 minute late or early. Whenever a client files a grievance against a staff member for whatever reason it is taken by upper leadership as a fact and the staff is shamed, embarrassed or written up despite witnesses in staffs favor. Staff AOD Counselors, and other direct services staff are given  enormous caseloads and little time to submit paperwork. Upper leadership creates a toxic micro managed environment that has staff walking on pins and needles. Staff seems to always be walking on eggshells. When staff members dare to speak out they are automatically shut down. Upper leadership is highly inconsidered of staff needs (personal or work related); Salaries are not commensurate with workload, Staff and management turn around  is very high. Management and other staff suddenly and constantly quit and/or are terminated. I do not recommend working at Phoenix, if you value your mental and emotional health. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The inconsiderate upper leadership. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very toxic, tense, and highly stressful

Fast moving environment with scarce support. Management is unprofessional and never available to help staff. There is this dynamic that exists with management and a handful of employees mainly the quality team and admissions team. They brown nose management and it’s the most bizarre thing to witness. It creates divisiveness and these “favorites” are constantly recognized and promoted while others are ignored. They are treated differently then other staff and even gossip about staff members (some are not loyal to management and relay info), which was a main reason why I decided to leave. I cannot respect management who speak poorly of others and treat employees differently. It’s a toxic environment and the pay is laughable which made my decision easy. No incentive to stay. I will say I worked with some cool people but because of the lack of appreciation, crummy pay, unprofessional and gossipy behavior from management and constantly being short on staff I had to leave and find something more organized and professional with better pay. If your considering a job here you have been warned. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
PH provides trainings that help reinforce what had been previously learned.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Management. Upper management. Nothing gets solved - any issues that are brought up will inevitably be disregarded. Lots of gaslighting as well. No accountability 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It is sad. A lot of hard working excellent employees end up quitting due to the horrendous unprofessional environment. Must fluff upper management's ego, otherwise retaliation will swiftly follow. HR keeps things looking good on paper, and disregards the reality of situations. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Arrive at work, keep head down, focus on work, meditate through the surrounding negativity and abhorrent behaviors of others. Clock out. Repeat the following day.

I do not recommend this place. The work environment is toxic and leadership is incompetent starting with the CEO followed by VP of Quality Resources who is a complete clown that is not qualified for the job. This toxic place has consistently deteriorated year after year losing staff, clients and contracts. The board members ought to open their eyes and scrutinize every member of senior leadership. 

Daily work was not difficult. However, lack of support from management is what made it difficult. You had to kiss up to management to get anywhere. Gossip was everywhere and taken as truth, even by management. Some clients needed a higher level of care than what we could provide but were ignored. High turnover rate and overwhelming work constantly. Structure was flawed and staff was never on the same page which caused issues in treatment plans. Staff also delegated tasks they didn't want to do like a nonstop hot potato game.

A typical day in Phoenix House consisted of bringing our patients together and creating positive synergy to start the morning. During my time of Program Director, our staff and clients would run a mile each morning on the beach to breathe the clean air and share the energy that would propel us as a group. I led this journey and was always astounded by the resiliency of our clients. Waking up every day led us to grow in different manners . Our counselors were absolutely rock stars and our collective resolve led us to new heights of determination! The hardest part was trying to convince our counselors to keep the group together do to the great fun that we absorbed.

I liked working in the outpatient program located in Lake View Terrace; the support I received from the Sr director of programs and clinic manager was amazing, empowering, and best of all, inclusive, no micromanaging. I was also to use my clinical skills to provide supervision as well. The staff (therapists) is a great bunch, very caring. It seems fair in terms of responsibilities and requirements (compared with other agencies I've worked for). They tend to be a little too 'nice' with people who do not meet expectations and provided with a lot of guidance and coaching.

No comment on upper management.

My experience as a clinical trainee was extremely enjoyable and I loved it. The clients were the best. There was a lot of freedom to practice my skills and work with various supervisors. The team environment of the clients working together to have a productive environment, the atmosphere of positive change, and being a part of growth in clients was inspirational.

I liked the various group curriculums we could do and the opportunity to learn from different staff and find my way as a clinician.

There was some displeasure coming from some staff about their jobs, but it was a rather reliable crew and I felt I made a real difference there as a clinical trainee.

What is the best part of working at the company?
They’re always trying to be there for you. They work with your hours and allow you different opportunities to grow and be as success as you can be.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I’m starting a new program so it’s been tough but the learning provided by PH is wonderful and provides comfort in your positions.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Correctional Environment but fun and energetic.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy but with heavy learning and sprinkled in breaks.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Counselor 14 salaries reported	$27.00 per hour
Clinician 6 salaries reported	$71,093 per year
Licensed vocational nurse 14 salaries reported	$35.00 per hour
Program director 1 salary reported	$117,500 per year
Mental health therapist 4 salaries reported	$98,125 per year

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