CHILD AND FAMILY THERAPIST JOB DESCRIPTION

Effective therapy for children and families is never a single-session fix. A Child and Family Therapist delivers structured, evidence-based clinical care to children as young as six and to the family systems around them, working across home, school, and community-based settings rather than a single office. This role requires active coordination with agencies such as child protective services, school programs, and referral organizations, all while maintaining Medi-Cal-compliant documentation and adhering to BBS or equivalent board registration requirements. Where a Marriage and Family Therapist focuses primarily on adult relational dynamics, this role holds a distinct clinical mandate around child development, trauma-informed assessment, and juvenile court-ready case reporting.

As the Child and Family Therapist, you will carry an independent caseload of children and families, delivering intake assessments, individualized treatment plans, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions that move clients measurably toward clinical goals. You will operate within a multidisciplinary structure, receiving weekly clinical supervision toward full licensure while collaborating closely with schools, legal systems, and community agencies to coordinate holistic care.

Career Impact: Accruing supervised clinical hours toward BBS licensure while managing a live caseload of children and families builds the credentialed depth that distinguishes senior clinicians in the community mental health market.

Business Impact: The quality of your assessments and treatment plans directly shapes child safety determinations, court recommendations, and discharge outcomes for some of the most vulnerable family systems served.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to Medi-Cal documentation, juvenile court testimony, and crisis triage protocol positions you for advancement into clinical supervision, program leadership, or specialized trauma practice.

• Conduct clinical intakes and ongoing child and family strengths-and-needs assessments using DSM-5 and ICD-10 diagnostic frameworks.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable objectives, projected discharge criteria, and evidence-based intervention strategies.
• Deliver individual, family, and group therapy for clients ages six through twenty, integrating trauma-informed and psychodynamic modalities.
• Coordinate care with schools, child protective services, referral agencies, and community resources to ensure continuity across systems.
• Provide crisis management, including triage protocol response, follow-up care planning, and appropriate escalation procedures.
• Prepare and submit Medi-Cal-compliant progress notes, family therapy reports, and all clinical documentation within required timelines.
• Present case assessments at clinical supervision, contribute to the clinical review process, and implement supervisor recommendations.
• Testify in juvenile court and liaise with dependency agencies regarding family stability and case planning as required by program assignment.

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a 60-unit equivalent graduate program, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of experience providing therapy to children and families, with demonstrated competency in individual and family modalities.
• Registration with a state behavioral health board (BBS, Board of Psychology, or equivalent) or active licensure (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LMHC, PsyD, or PhD).
• Proficiency in DSM-5 and ICD-10 diagnostic classification and clinical assessment methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement structured treatment plans with measurable goals and discharge criteria.
• Strong written communication skills, including clinical progress notes and formal family therapy reports meeting regulatory standards.
• Ability to work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations, including children and high-conflict family systems.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and clearance to work with children per applicable state requirements.

• Knowledge of psychodynamic and trauma-informed evidence-based practices applied specifically to child and adolescent populations.
• Experience with Medi-Cal billing, county documentation requirements, or electronic health record systems used in community mental health settings.
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish or another language serving the local client population.
• Prior experience providing court testimony or interfacing with child protective services in a clinical capacity.

• Caseload maintenance rate: minimum number of clinical appointments met per day against program targets.
• Treatment plan completion rate: percentage of assigned cases with current, board-compliant plans on file.
• Progress note timeliness: proportion of session notes submitted within required documentation windows.
• Court report and assessment presentation accuracy: supervisor-rated quality score on formal clinical reports.
• Discharge planning adherence: percentage of cases closed with documented discharge criteria met.
• Typical tools: EHR platforms (commonly Avatar or equivalent); telehealth delivery systems; county Medi-Cal documentation portals.

• Base Salary Range: $55,000 to $75,000 annually, varying by licensure status and setting
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 3 to 5 percent where offered; uncommon in nonprofit settings
• Equity: Not typically offered in community mental health organizations
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; common in agency and nonprofit settings
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus paid holidays and sick leave
• Common Perks: Weekly clinical supervision toward licensure, continuing education allowance, mileage reimbursement for community-based work

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including a fingerprint clearance through the applicable state agency, and a drug screening where required by the program. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and in the performance of essential job functions. All applicants receive equal consideration regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.

The Child and Family Therapist delivers evidence-based counselling, group work, and family therapy to individuals and families navigating separation, family violence, and parenting issues, managing an independent caseload of at least five appointments per day. Working within a supervised clinical team, this role shapes client outcomes by developing treatment plans, presenting assessments at clinical supervision, and contributing to the ongoing clinical review process.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality engagement, assessment, treatment, and support services to individuals and their families through evidence-based counselling and group work.
• Assist children to manage the effects of family separation, family violence, and parenting issues.
• Present assessments at clinical supervision and review and make recommendations.
• Contribute effectively to the clinical review process.
• Develop treatment plans and provide effective counselling interventions to meet the needs of clients and family systems.
• Provide high-quality written "Family Therapy"/ treatment reports.

Required Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in psychology or social work.
• Registration or membership to a relevant professional body (APS or AASW).
• Hold or be eligible for registration as a Mental Health Medicare Provider.
• Experience working with matters of domestic violence.
• Understanding of child protection issues.
• Ability to provide counselling interventions and support to children, young people, and families in family law matters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-conflict individuals, couples, and families.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work with culturally and linguistically diverse clients.
• Valid Working with Children Check clearance verification number.

Embedded within a clinically focused product team, the Child and Family Therapist delivers evidence-based therapy to children, parents, and families while using the Manatee platform to develop and monitor treatment plans and client progress. Working closely with clinical, product, and design colleagues, this role builds innovative programs and contributes content including activities, handouts, and live roundtables that extend the organisation's reach and impact.

Core Functions

• Provide evidence-based therapy to children, parents, and families.
• Conduct clinical intakes and review progress measures.
• Use the Manatee platform to develop and monitor treatment plans and client progress.
• Assist in translating the latest clinical best practices into actionable and engaging clinical content, including activities, handouts, and interventions.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation and pertinent data in the EHR.
• Collaborate with the clinical team to continuously innovate programs and services.
• Provide valuable feedback and insights to product and design teams.
• Contribute to organisational growth by applying individual strengths, experiences, and passions, including hosting live roundtables for parents, public speaking, and contributing to blog posts and articles.

Qualifications & Experience

• Licensed to practise psychotherapy or counselling (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LMHC, PsyD, PhD, or equivalent).
• 2+ years of experience providing therapy to children and families.
• Flexible, creative, and curious approach to mental health practice with children and families.
• Highly organised and self-starting.
• Be able to multitask and work efficiently in ambiguous situations.
• Desire to learn and share knowledge with clinical and non-clinical colleagues.

Reporting to agency clinical leadership, the Child and Family Therapist conducts thorough child and family strengths and needs assessments, provides individual and group therapy in home and agency settings, and delivers complete documentation in compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements. Partnering with school programs, referral agencies, and outside resources, this role shapes holistic family outcomes by managing crisis intervention, developing measurable treatment plans, and testifying in Juvenile Court on behalf of culturally diverse families.

Primary Duties

• Conduct thorough and ongoing child and family strengths and needs assessments using specified protocols.
• Assist clients in securing a variety of social services and community resources.
• Provide complete documentation and reporting of all client services in accordance with regulatory, contractual, and agency requirements, including timely submittal of notes.
• Provide effective crisis management, including following the program triage protocol and treatment methods, providing follow-up care, assessing and providing appropriate responses, and handling situations calmly.
• Engage the child and family using fluidity techniques for taking the position of different family members as needed.
• Build rapport and credibility simultaneously with varying members and age groups.
• Develop and implement successful intervention techniques, including identifying the treatment method, establishing treatment plans with measurable objectives, and maintaining timely progress notes.
• Plan for client treatment discharge and termination, including establishing discharge criteria, helping the family prepare for discharge needs, and making follow-up referrals as needed.
• Conduct educational activities to promote client understanding of treatment issues, including medication, diagnosis, and parenting skills.
• Interface with DCS regarding child well-being, family stability, and case planning.
• Testify in Juvenile Court as to case services and recommendations for holistic family outcomes.
• Maintain confidential and sensitive information in accordance with applicable standards.

Skills & Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Counselling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a 60-unit graduate degree in an equivalent program from an accredited institution.
• Licensure by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health.
• Eligibility for licensure under Arizona Administrative Code regulations.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and aptitude for learning and instructing others in computer software applications.
• Ability to relate to a variety of individuals with warmth, empathy, acceptance, and humour.
• Valid Arizona driver's license, reliable personal transportation, and insurability under the agency's automobile policy.
• Valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One fingerprint clearance card, or ability to qualify for one.

Sitting at the intersection of clinical practice and community-based care, the Child and Family Therapist provides individual, family, and group therapy to clients aged 6 to 20 across school, home, and community settings, drawing on integrative evidence-based, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed approaches. Operating across coordinated service teams alongside schools, families, and outside agencies, this role leads case management and crisis intervention while honoring each family's culture and values to achieve measurable healing outcomes.

Duties

• Provide individual, family, and group therapy for clients aged 6 to 20.
• Utilise an integrative model of evidence-based, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed care.
• Work closely with schools, families, and other agencies to provide coordinated services using a team approach.
• Provide case management, behavioural coaching, and crisis intervention as necessary.
• Meet documentation and other deadlines and comply with requirements for Medi-Cal and county paperwork.
• Perform administrative tasks within timelines, including chart completion and meeting attendance.

Education & Experience

• Registration with the BBS or Board of Psychology.
• Experience providing therapy to children and families in community-based settings.
• Experience with Medi-Cal and/or Avatar documentation.
• Knowledge of psychodynamic and evidence-based practices in mental health.
• Strong individual and family assessment skills and proficiency using DSM-5 and ICD-10.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as a team player with a welcoming attitude.
• Valid CA driver's licence and access to a vehicle with proper insurance.