Mental Health Therapist Jobs in Oakland, CA

We are currently seeking a full-time (40 hours/week) therapist, to support staff and provide direct services to the clients of our programs, as described below. Target start date for this position is October 2026.

About Youth ALIVE!: Our programs engage in violence prevention, intervention and healing:

Prevention: Teens on Target (TNT) – TNT trains high school students and young adults from neighborhoods with high levels of violence to be Peer Educators. Advocacy - Our staff and youth leaders work with civic, state and federal leaders to design and pass sensible policies that reduce gun, gang, family and dating violence. National Network -The National Network of Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (NNHVIP) brings together over 30 member programs to share knowledge, collaborate, affect policy change, and nurture emerging programs.

Intervention: Caught in the Crossfire (CiC) – CiC is a hospital-based peer intervention program designed to promote positive alternatives to violence and to reduce retaliation, re-injury and arrest. Violence Interruption - Our Violence Interrupters take to the most dangerous streets at the most dangerous times of night to engage young people, to diffuse tensions, mediate conflicts and encourage alternatives to violence. Pathways - Mentorship program that helps young people make the transition back home from incarceration, back into school, and back into stability.

Healing : The Khadafy Washington Project (KWP) – KWP provides critical response to family and friends of homicide victims in order to prevent retaliation and promote healing. START – Using and disseminating our Screening and Tool for Awareness and Relief of Trauma. Counseling – Counselors provide community-based mental health services in collaboration with the frontline staff of our other programs. Our goal is to assist each client in creating their own roadmap to healing.

Job Responsibilities

Counseling Services:

• Youth Alive is committed to providing trauma informed healing centered care that is culturally responsive and draws upon the wisdom of the community served.

Encouraged to apply:

Applicants from the community with personal experience in overcoming violence and/or with the criminal justice system are especially encouraged to apply

Qualifications:

• Must be either an AMFT, APCC, ASW (Supervision is provided by an LMFT) or hold one of the following licenses: LMFT, LPCC, LCSW and also be registered with California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• Experience working either in the community or in a variety of settings: homes, schools, neighborhoods, agencies, etc.
• Experience working with youth and families from highly stressed communities, especially young people of color is essential.
• Experience supporting juvenile justice/criminal justice system-involved youth and adults preferred.
• Experience providing counseling to those impacted by trauma is essential.
• Experience with grief and loss counseling preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Essential:

• Passionate interest in violence prevention and serving communities experiencing violence.
• Extremely punctual and reliable, highly organized and detail oriented.
• Well organized, demonstrated ability to prioritize, detail oriented.
• Strong written & verbal skills.
• Ability to work some evenings & weekends as needed.
• Must have insured car & DMV clearance.

Job Responsibilities

Community Based Counseling Services:

• Provide mental health services for youth, adults and families as referred by YA programs and partners
• Provide crisis intervention and support as needed.
• Conduct home visits and generally provide services in the field which may include transportation of self and client to and from counseling activities in the community. (A car is necessary.)
• Facilitate/co-facilitate therapeutic support groups with youth and young adults as needed
• Co-facilitate Teens on Target lessons and KWP healing circles as needed.
• Comply with all requirements of child abuse reporting and confidentiality in accordance with standards set by the agency.

Documentation and Billing:

• Provide trauma-informed screening, assessment, and treatment of referred clients.
• Complete and maintain all required documentation in a regular, timely manner and in accordance with agency policies.
• Maintain client documentation and records in accordance with funding requirements and Youth ALIVE! policies.
• Meet all documentation and paperwork requirements as set by the agency, in coordination with the Healing Director and Associate Director.
• Participate in mental health chart reviews.

Learning and Training:

• Collaborate closely with non-clinical frontline workers to ensure quality of care.
• Participate in the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (the HAVI) Mental Health Working Group and annual conferences.
• Clinicians licensed for more than 2 years may be asked to support supervision of Associates.

Other:

• Participate in bi-weekly case conferencing meetings with non-clinical frontline workers.
• Participate in bi-weekly agency staff meetings, 2 annual retreats, and self-care activities.
• Participate in BBS eligible clinical supervision. (1 hour of individual supervision and 2 hours of group supervision every two weeks).
• Other responsibilities as assigned by Healing Director.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:Talk, hear / Clear vision at 25 inches or less to view computer screen and read documents / Must be able to sit at desk and work on a computer for 4 hours per day / Must be able to lift and carry 25 pounds

/ Working conditions typical of an office environment / Exposure to moderate levels of noise such as computers, printers, light traffic.

Salary and Benefits: $87,897 per year dependent upon experience and qualifications. Full time non-exempt position; occasional nights and weekends required. Benefits included: Medical /Dental /Vision /Vacation /Sick Leave

/Retirement /Professional Development /Educational Reimbursement. Equal opportunity employer. Applicants with experience in law enforcement and/or formerly incarcerated/juvenile justice involved are encouraged to apply. Applicants with personal experience of violence exposure encouraged.

Youth Alive celebrates diversity in all its forms. Youth Alive is an equal opportunity employer, which means we strictly prohibit discrimination or harassment in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristics. This commitment applies to all stages of the employment lifecycle, including recruitment, hiring and promotions. Those with first-hand experience of violence and/or incarceration are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $82,800.00 - $87,897.00 per year

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person