Primary Therapist Job Description
Position Summary
The Primary Therapist provides individual, group, and family therapy services to patients in residential and outpatient treatment settings. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Primary Therapist is responsible for clinical assessments, treatment planning, case management, discharge planning, crisis intervention, documentation, and coordination of care to ensure patients receive high-quality, evidence-based treatment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
- Maintain an assigned caseload and provide individual, group, and family therapy sessions.
- Facilitate psychoeducational and process-oriented groups.
- Participate in treatment team meetings and communicate patient progress and treatment goals.
- Assess and intervene in situations involving suicide risk, self-harm, relapse, or other behavioral health crises.
- Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, behavioral health technicians, families, referral sources, and community providers.
- Coordinate care, discharge planning, and post care services beginning at admission.
- Complete all clinical documentation, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries in a timely manner and in accordance with all regulatory, accreditation, and payer requirements.
- Support utilization review activities and provide clinical information necessary for insurance authorizations and continued stay reviews.
- Maintain compliance with HIPAA, regulatory agencies, and company policies.
- Provide support and clinical guidance to direct care staff as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Master's or Doctoral degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
- Licensed or registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (AMFT, ACSW, APCC, LMFT, LCSW, LPCC) or licensed Psychologist preferred.
- Experience working with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders.
- Knowledge of ASAM Criteria, DSM-5 diagnoses, and evidence-based treatment practices.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
- Valid California Driver's License and acceptable driving record.
Education
- Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field required.
- Registration or licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) or California Board of Psychology preferred.
Experience
- Minimum one (1) year of experience providing behavioral health, mental health, or substance use disorder treatment services.
- Experience working with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders preferred.
- Experience in residential treatment, outpatient treatment, or other behavioral healthcare settings preferred.
- Experience with utilization review, insurance authorizations, and discharge planning preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Working knowledge of ASAM Criteria, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based treatment modalities.
- Strong clinical assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and case management skills.
- Strong ability to build therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and referral sources.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced treatment environment.
- Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) and clinical documentation systems.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team.
