Mental Health Counselor (Part-Time)

Mental Health Therapist (Part-Time)

Reports to: Director of Therapeutic Services

Status: Part-Time

Position Overview:

The Mental Health Therapist will provide individual and group services to meet the needs of individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) across the lifespan to promote mental health. As a member of the therapy team, the Mental Health Therapist will provide specialized interventions and/or modifications to people with Down syndrome and IDD to support the acquisition of skills. In addition to providing direct therapy, the Mental Health Therapist will utilize coaching and consulting to support families and caregivers; and collect and report data on individual and group outcomes.  The Mental Health Therapist will collaborate with other members of the therapy team. The Mental Health Therapist will also implement innovative teletherapy programming.

Organization:

At Down Syndrome Innovations, our life-changing support and services empower people with Down syndrome to live to their fullest potential.  We serve as the expert resource and lead community mobilizer, sharing knowledge and creating solutions for people with Down syndrome.  Our values include community, innovation, individuality, passion, and trust. For more information, visit our website: https://www.downsyndromeinnovations.org/

Mental Health Therapist responsibilities include, but not limited to: 

• Assess and evaluate the individual’s and family’s emotional regulation skills and coping skills for the purpose of identifying challenges interfering with daily life in the home and community. 

• Provide families with guidance in facilitating the independence of their children or adults in the home and community.

• Complete documentation for all individuals receiving mental health therapy services in accordance with deadlines. 

• Utilize a wide repertoire of intervention methods and select intervention methods based on the unique needs and strengths of each individual and family.

• Consider both immediate needs of individual and long-term needs, as related to preparation for adulthood.

• Demonstrate evidence-based practice using research to support selected intervention strategies and collection of routine data as evidence of effectiveness of current interventions.

• Refer families who require evaluation or intervention beyond the scope of DSI’s therapy program to specialists in the community, especially with medical needs or specialized intervention.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Completion of EMDR Basics 1 and 2 preferred with established experience teaching skills, processing distortions/distress, and installing adaptive/positive beliefs is preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds. 

• Ability to demonstrate good judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Flexible to evolving and emerging needs of the organization.

• Strategic communicator able to work in a fast-paced environment with a dynamic team.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an inter-disciplinary team.

• Highly energetic, self-starter and creative individual who can express ideas articulately, create opportunities for personal and organizational growth, and communicate goals and objectives clearly. 

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Suite products.

• Proficient and/or willing to acquire teletherapy-related skills including but not limited to use of hardware, software, and/or other online materials.

Qualifications: 

• Master's degree from an accredited educational institution.

• Hold, or be eligible to apply for, state licensure to provide mental health services (LCSW, LPC, LCPC, LPCC, LMHC, LMFT, etc.) to DSI constituents.  This includes but is not limited to licensure in Kansas and Missouri. 

• Maintain necessary certifications and licensures to provide mental health services to DSI constituents.

• Experience working with or volunteering with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities is preferred.

• Available to work a consistent part-time schedule that includes evenings (as late as 8 pm on some weekdays), intermittent weekends for therapeutic offering and/or caregiver education.

Additional Information:

• Send cover letter and resume to megan@kcdsi.org to be considered for the position.

• To further discuss this position, please contact Megan DeBoom, Director of Therapeutic Services: megan@kcdsi.org

• Hourly position, negotiable based on credentials, specialized training, and experience.

• Guaranteed minimum of 6 hours per week with opportunity to increase hours as caseload expands.