Discovery Behavioral Health  

Discovery Behavioral Health (DBH) is a national leader in behavioral healthcare and one of the fastest growing companies in the field. DBH offers world-class treatment for those struggling with eating disorders, mental health, and substance use and places a high priority on seeking employees who share our passion for improving the lives we serve. 

Since 1997, Discovery Behavioral Health has helped thousands of patients discover their path to the full and rewarding lives they deserve with evidence-based and inclusive treatment options. 

Position Summary:

The Associate Therapist works in a dynamic multidisciplinary team providing treatment services according to the Center for Discovery Clinical Model. Therapist responsibilities include ensuring patient safety, providing milieu interventions, leading psychoeducational and process-oriented therapy groups, facilitate clinical assessments, conducting therapy sessions, and other case management tasks, as assigned. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Ensure clinical documentation is completed timely throughout the course of treatment. 
• Establish therapeutic rapport with patients and families/loved ones. 
• Facilitates admission assessments and the admission process for new patients with professionalism 
• Participates in weekly treatment team and communicates weekly treatment goals with all team members.  
• Completes appropriate number of therapy sessions weekly for patients, including family/support system sessions aligned with the patients’ level of care. 
  • RTC: two individual sessions and one family/support system session 
  • PHP: one individual session and one family/support system session 
  • IOP: one therapeutic session – individual or family/support system, as clinically indicated 
• Facilitates the process orientated and psychoeducation groups one to two times, daily. 
• Required to sit at a meal and/or snack a minimum of once per week. 
• Facilitates multi-family groups, family program, and/or family weekend. 
• Provides utilization reviews to insurance companies, providing appropriate clinical information to obtain initial authorization and continuing stay authorization, as necessary.  
• Assesses patients for suicidality and possibility of danger to self or others. 
• May provide additional clinical support for other members of the clinical team in their absence.   
• Communicates with the Utilization Review Department and Business Department regarding authorization and payment. 
• Begins discharge planning on day of admission for all patients. 
• Completes discharge session with patient to ensure coping skills, transition plan, and resources are understood and intact. 
• Ensures discharge appointments are confirmed with patient and loved ones prior to discharge. 
• Communicates with referral sources and outpatient providers for continuity of care upon admission, midpoint, and discharge. 
• Facilitates patient transfers to a higher level of care, as needed. 
• Actively participates in clinical outreach and program tours, as needed.  
• Effectively manages crises in sessions and the milieu. 
• Provides support to milieu staff in their interactions with patients and their loved ones. 
• Works collaboratively with the entire treatment team and milieu staff to ensure the highest level of clinical quality at all times. 
• Completes other tasks, as requested or assigned. 
• RTC Only: Provides on-call support to facility at least 1x per month and returns all program phone calls within 20 minutes, while on call. Communicates appropriately with On Call Administrator or Regional Director regarding pertinent facility issues, while on call. 

Knowledge, Education, and Experience:

• Master’s or Doctorate degree in relevant field, required 
• Completion of state requirements to conduct therapeutic interventions, required 
• Operates under supervision and is not licensed 
• Obtain CPI certification within 90 days of hire 
• Obtain CPR, AED, and First Aid certification within 90 days of hire 
• Obtain ServSafe certification within 90 days of hire 
• Must possess a current driver’s license and be in good standing
  

Employment Status: Full-time

Schedule: Monday-Friday

Work Location: On-site — Southport, CT

Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce. 

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.