The University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) is seeking applicants for a full-time Adolescent Behavioral Health Therapist position in its adolescent outpatient substance use treatment continuum, Synergy Outpatient Services. Synergy is participating in an NIH clinical effectiveness trial studying two different EBTs (Evidenced-based therapy models). Therefore, the Clinician will receive training in Encompass: Integrated Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults and participate in clinical team supervision to deliver this high-quality evidence-based treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders with fidelity.
Encompass is an evidenced-based, integrated treatment for adolescents and young adults with substance use and mental health difficulties. It utilizes Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Contingency Management (CM). The Clinician will also engage in activities required to monitor treatment fidelity and retention (e.g., weekly on-line surveys, audio recording of treatment sessions), as well as qualitative research interviews regarding their perspectives on the treatment they are implementing.
In addition, the Clinician will also carry outpatient adolescent cases who are not involved in the NIH study and implement individual and family therapy (utilizing CBT & MI techniques) to help address behavioral and substance use problems.
Synergy’s main offices are located on the Ft. Logan campus; however, Synergy has a satellite office at the Family Resource Pavilion (FRP) located at 9700 E. Easter Lane in Centennial, this position will primarily work out of the FRP location.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide direct clinical treatment using the Encompass treatment model and principles. This will include weekly individual therapy sessions lasting 50-60 minutes, in addition to periodic family therapy sessions, as clinically indicated. In addition, it will also require some engagement/contact with the adolescent and/or caregiver in between sessions. The treatment is manualized, and sessions will be office-based, and some may also occur via telehealth.
- Provide behavioral and substance use individual and family therapy, utilizing evidence-based therapy techniques.
- Carry a caseload of up to 25 clients (combination of study/Encompass clients and non-study clients)
- Given that this is substance use disorder treatment, urinalysis screens will also be administered weekly with the adolescent.
- Use decision making skills in conducting a thorough assessment of the client and family, gather information on behaviors of concern and strengths in the family as well as any risks related to suicide and violence. Will also utilize structured assessment tools.
- Balance job expectations around caseload, clinical contact and outcomes, case management (including paperwork) and any research related tasks.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external teams and coordinate care as needed. This includes having knowledge of community resources to supplement therapeutic work.
- Participate in training as well as ongoing clinical consultation. Engage in study activities required to monitor treatment fidelity and retention (e.g., weekly on-line surveys, audio recording of treatment sessions), as well as qualitative research interviews regarding their perspectives on the treatment they are implementing.
- Participate in weekend on-call phone support rotation, which occurs once every 2 months.
