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MST Therapist

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To assist in achieving this mission, NAC is currently seeking an MST Therapist to join its Mental Health team.

MST (Multisystemic Therapy) is a cutting edge, intensive family and community based treatment that addresses the multiple determinants of risky, challenging, and antisocial behavior exhibited by juvenile offenders and at-risk youth. The MST Therapist is a highly energetic, supportive, and engaging team player with strong engagement skills to work with families in addressing the multiple factors known to be related to misconduct across the key settings, or systems, within which youth are embedded (e.g. family, peers, school, neighborhood).  MST strives to promote behavior change in the youth’s natural environment, using the strengths of each system to facilitate change.

  • Salary Range: $60,000 – $65,000
  • Location: Services provided throughout NYC in the field/community
  • Administrative Location: 37 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10010
  • Department: Mental Health

Description of Responsibilities:

  • Conduct MST assessments including review of referral information, identifying and engaging key participants, identifying systemic strengths and weaknesses, and developing an analysis of the fit of problem behaviors within the ecological context.
  • Engage primary caregiver and other key participants in active change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement.
  • Implement a problem conceptualization, treatment planning, intervention implementation, case outcome review, and strategy revision procedure using the MST Analytic Process.
  • Maintain clear and concise documentation of treatment efforts that promote peer and supervisory review and feedback, and that demonstrate compliance with the 9 MST Principles and the MST Analytic Process.
  • Engage and collaborate with all relevant systems and key participants within each system, to maintain alignment throughout MST treatment.
  • Provide direct clinical treatment in the community using methods compatible with MST principles and practices.
  • Provide on call coverage to families.
  • Participate in all MST training, supervision, and consultation activities.

 

Required Education and Experience:

  • Masters degree or higher and professional license or limited permit in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Direct clinical experience with adolescents or family systems

*Limited Permit holders to obtain full licensure within 2 years to maintain the position.

Preferred Experience:

  • Direct use of pragmatic (i.e. strategic, structural and functional) family therapies
  • Individual therapy with children and adults using cognitive behavioral approaches
  • Marital therapy using behaviorally based approaches
  • Behavioral therapy targeting school behavior and academic performance
  • Implementation of interventions within or between system’s in the youth’s natural ecology that affect or influence the behavior of youth (i.e. peer, family, school and neighborhood)
  • Substance use treatment for youth and adults using behaviorally-based approaches
  • Trauma treatment for adults and children using exposure, cognitive therapies, and stress inoculation training
  • Safety planning
  • Work with youth who engage in sexually problematic behaviors
  • Linkages with community agencies and funders

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

  • Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
  • Family systems theory and application
  • Social ecological theory and application
  • Behavioral therapies theory and application
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy theory and application
  • Pragmatic family therapy theory and application
  • Child development research and its application in treatment
  • Social skills assessment and intervention
  • Knowledge of preventive mandates and procedures within the ACS system
  • Ability to use computers and related technology efficiently
  • Research or training in diagnostic assessment, mental status examinations

 

Training Requirements to Maintain Position:

  • The MST 5-Day Orientation Training (given within 2 months of hire)
  • All subsequent MST Boosters (given quarterly)

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

  • Ability to read, write and converse in English.
  • Ability to communicate with staff, identified clients, families, contract agencies, support agencies and others.
  • Ability to remain calm and composed under stressful situations.
  • Bending, lifting, grasping, fine hand/eye coordination, pushing/pulling, and/or prolonged sitting/standing.
  • Ability to respond to telephones and other auditory stimulation.
  • Ability to discriminate color.
  • Quantitative/mathematical ability (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, standard measurements).
  • Ability to evaluate/interpret information, and make independent judgments/decisions.
  • Ability to conduct extensive field visits in excess of 12 per week that may include walking distances in excess of 2 city blocks, walking up and down stairs.

How to Apply:

Please indicate MST Therapist in the subject line when applying. Please submit cover letter and resume to: hr@nackidscan.org

Equal Opportunity Statement

New Alternatives for Children, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

New Alternatives for Children, Inc. was founded on the principle of inclusion. We strive to create and maintain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace at all levels. It is not enough to serve; we must strive to dismantle oppressive policies and practices. Please read our full DEIB Statement here.

Impact

Every day, NAC’s team of social workers, nurses, doctors, therapists, education specialists, van drivers, and so many more, make a lasting impact on the lives of the children and families we serve. Watch our video below to meet the youth and families whose lives have been changed because of NAC’s work.