Behavioral Therapist Job Description
What Does a Behavioral Therapist Do?
A behavioral therapist is a mental health professional that helps treat and assess the behavior of people with mental health issues. They are responsible for helping their patients develop healthier habits and behavior patterns through individual and group therapies, psychological assessments, and developing treatment plans.
Behavioral Therapist Job Description Example
Jacksonville Mind Care is seeking an experienced and passionate Behavioral Therapist to join our team in providing exceptional and comprehensive mental health care services. Our clinic is dedicated to providing compassionate, quality, and accessible care to individuals in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Evaluate and assess patients’ behavioral needs, abilities, and limitations
- Monitor and document patient progress
- Develop individualized treatment plans to provide appropriate care
- Implement individual and group therapy sessions using evidence-based interventions and techniques
- Develop and facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic programming
- Guide patients and families regarding mental health issues, medication, and lifestyle changes
- Provide ongoing support for patient needs
- Maintain patient records and necessary documentation
Work Hours and Benefits:
This is a full-time position, with flexible hours, and the opportunity for additional compensation through bonuses and incentives. Benefits include paid time-off, medical, vision, dental insurance, personal and vacation days, and 401k options.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in therapy, social work, psychology or related field
- Licensed or licensure-eligible as a Behavioral Health Therapist
- Knowledge of evidence-based mental health treatment
- Ability to work in a collaborative environment with a team
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Thorough understanding of mental health principles and standards
Training and Education:
Training or education in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is preferred.
If you are interested in joining the Jacksonville Mind Care team as a Behavioral Therapist, please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
What to Include on a Behavioral Therapist Resume or Job Posting
Common behavioral therapist responsibilities
- Developing individualized treatment plans for clients based on their needs and goals.
- Utilizing evidence-based practices to assess and treat clients.
- Conducting assessments to identify behavioral issues and develop treatment plans.
- Implementing behavior modification techniques to help clients modify their behavior.
- Educating clients and their families about mental health issues and treatment options.
- Collaborating with other professionals to coordinate care for clients.
- Documenting client progress and treatment plans.
- Developing and implementing behavior management strategies.
- Facilitating group therapy sessions.
- Providing crisis intervention services.
Qualities & traits
- Patience: Behavioral therapists must be patient and understanding when working with clients, as it can take time to see progress.
- Empathy: Behavioral therapists must be able to empathize with their clients and show compassion for their struggles.
- Communication Skills: Behavioral therapists must be able to communicate effectively with their clients in order to understand their needs and provide the best possible treatment.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Behavioral therapists must be able to identify problems and come up with creative solutions.
- Self-Awareness: Behavioral therapists must be aware of their own biases and beliefs in order to remain objective when working with clients.
- Respect: Behavioral therapists must respect the autonomy of their clients and their decisions.
- Flexibility: Behavioral therapists must be flexible and willing to adjust their approach when necessary.
What a typical day looks like for a behavioral therapist
A behavioral therapist typically works with both patients and their family members to identify behavioral objectives, assess causes of problematic behavior, develop treatment plans and monitor progress. On a daily basis, they help clients implement strategies to cope with their issues, assess progress and adjust treatment plans as needed. They also often utilize various techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, positive reinforcement and focused physical interventions to address a variety of mental health issues. A behavioral therapist may also provide educational material, serve as a resource to other professionals, recommend referrals for additional treatments and provide crisis intervention.
Compatible jobs and work history
A behavioral therapist is a type of psychologist who specializes in treating individuals or groups of people who are struggling with psychological issues. Behavior therapists are trained in many different areas, including psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, child development, and counseling. The skills and knowledge that these professionals possess is often transferable to other related roles within the mental health field, such as social workers, counselors, and mental health clinicians.
Below are 5-10 compatible job titles that could prepare a person for a career in behavioral therapy:
- Mental Health Counselor
- Clinical Social Worker
- Psychotherapist
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Psychologist
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Family Therapist
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Mental Health Technician
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