Marriage & Family Therapist I

• Performs intensive counseling, psychotherapy, case management and treatment services with patients or clients and their families;
   
• Participates in the evaluation of problems presented and in the development of treatment plans;
   
• May participate in a group therapy program;
   
• Cooperates with staff and other community agencies in carrying out treatment plans;
   
• Participates in psychotherapy and case management programs with psychiatric staff treatment teams;
   
• Interprets and explains social and emotional factors pertaining to illness to clients, relatives and community groups, and may conduct educational sessions and training events, as appropriate;
   
• Evaluates new techniques for dealing with emotional and environmental problems;
   
• Refers patients or clients to appropriate community agencies;
   
• Performs related work as required.

Possession of a Master's degree in which qualifies for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist by the State Board of Behavioral Science, such as Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Child Development and Family Studies, or Marriage, Family and Child Counseling.

Applicants must be eligible for registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as Marriage and Family Therapist Intern and maintain current registration and remain in good standing until license is received.

Incumbents are expected to obtain a valid California Marriage and Family Therapist license as issued by the State Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Incumbents in this class must comply with California licensure requirements as outlined by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Knowledge of:

• Theory and treatment practice of intrapsychic, interpersonal, and social pathology;
   
• Theory and practice of community mental health, alcohol or drug abuse interventions;
   
• Community agencies and community resources serving the mentally ill, alcohol and drug abusers and alcoholism;
   
• Physical and mental illnesses and their impact on personality.

Ability to:

• Apply theory and practice of intrapsychic, interpersonal, and social pathology;
   
• Do differential diagnosis;
   
• Develop and implement a counseling program;
   
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
   
• Effectively use psychiatric consultation.