Child Advocacy Center Mental Health Therapist

Job DetailsJob Location: Jacksonville, NC 28546About One Place:

One Place, a 501C3, believes that one child hurt is too many. For more than 26 years, One Place has focused on ending child abuse, increasing capacity for child mental health, and ensuring educational readiness. At One Place, we create hope for children and families by connecting our community to resources. We seek employees with an entrepreneurial mindset who see transformation possible in our community. Our organization focuses on organizational health internally so we can contribute to wellness in our community.

The Child Advocacy Center provides a compassionate response to the trauma of child abuse in a safe and child friendly environment. Children are referred to the Child Advocacy Center from law enforcement and child protective services due to suspected sexual and physical abuse and/or neglect. Through specialized services such as family advocacy, forensic interviews, comprehensive medical evaluations and mental health services, suspected victims birth through age 17 receive quality and timely care by sharing their story and beginning their path to a healthy future. 

The Child Advocacy Center’s mission: Because children are no small matter, together, at One Place, we provide a caring and comprehensive response to children hurt by abuse - Hope and Healing begin here. 

Position Summary

Under direction of the CAC Clinical Services Director, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Mental Health Therapist provides evidence supported, trauma-focused mental health services to child victims and their supportive, non-offending family members. This position also serves as a back-up forensic interviewer. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide mental health services; additional duties will include forensic interviewing. This position adheres to clinical standards, professional codes of ethics, funders, HIPAA compliance, agency policies and standards set forth by the Onslow County Interagency Agreement & Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Protocol, the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) and Children’s Advocacy Centers North Carolina (CACNC).

Key Responsibilities

Provides evidence supported, trauma-focused mental health services, including individual, group, and family therapy to child victims and their supportive, non-offending family members
Administers evidence-based assessments to inform treatment 
Develops individualized treatment plan for child clients and other family members
Provide referrals to other community services as needed
Participate in individual clinical supervision and group clinical supervision 
Participate in peer review and continuing education activities
Collaborate with all members of the staff and multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated comprehensive care for clients
Provides clinical consultation to CAC Staff and MDT Partners
Maintains confidential documentation of client case and progress
Follows all mental health/therapy standards, protocols, policies, and procedures set forth by OPCAC, NCA, and CACNC
Conducts developmentally appropriate, legally sound forensic interviews on an as-needed basis with children ages 3-17 who are involved in child abuse investigations
Maintains qualifications through training and participation in quarterly peer review; remains current with forensic interviewing, child abuse and child development research, literature and best practice
Attend and facilitate trainings as requested
Provide expert and/or fact testimony in criminal and civil courts regarding child abuse issues
Participates in on-going initiatives of organization and programs to include philanthropy
Participates in agency meetings and trainings
Various other duties and special projects to be assigned by Clinical Services Director
QualificationsQualifications

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) or Licensed Marriage or Family Therapist (LMFT). 
Prior training, credentialing and experience providing evidenced-based treatment modalities for childhood trauma required. 

2-4 years required of clinical experience providing services to children preferred
Successful, documented completion of a 40-hour forensic interview training by a national recognized organization or willingness to become trained
Experience with Children’s Advocacy Centers or with Child Welfare/Human Services is favored
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Ability to plan and prioritize work is essential
Strong organizational and time management skills
Ability to work in databases
Ability to work both independently and as a member of various teams
Displays leadership and professional integrity
Demonstrates ability to hold self and others accountable 
Proven ability to work effectively with diverse populations and as a member of multidisciplinary teams with a willingness to appreciate and value different points of view
Extended work hours are necessary on occasion
Passion for the work is critical and necessary