Senior Therapist - Older Adult Clinical Services Team

Senior Therapist

Older Adult Clinical Services Team

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Senior Therapistposition.

An Overview

This position qualifies for a $3,000 signing bonus. The Senior Therapist provides advanced clinical services to older adults, including routine and urgent clinical assessments, capacity evaluations, and individual and group psychotherapy within a community-based outpatient framework. Delivers targeted outreach and prevention services as part of the Older Adult Clinical Services (Geriatric Mental Health) team within Aging and Adult Services, with a focus on behavioral health education, early identification of mental health needs, and clinical consultation to CSB programs and community partners. Outreach activities are clinically driven and consultative in nature and do not include eligibility determinations, Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) completion, or routine participation in non-clinical field-based assessments conducted by other departments. Field-based services are initiated and conducted by the Older Adult Clinical Services team based on clinical indication and are not provided in response to routine requests from other departments for joint outreach, screening, or service eligibility purposes.

The Senior Therapist maintains responsibility for an assigned caseload, responding to emerging clinical needs to support stabilization, safety, and continuity of care. Serves as a clinical resource and consultant to staff and multidisciplinary teams, providing guidance on complex cases involving psychiatric, cognitive, medical, and psychosocial factors. Collaborates with community agencies, healthcare providers, and service systems to coordinate care, mitigate risk, and support older adults in maintaining safe community living.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, including advanced understanding of psychiatric disorders, co-occurring conditions, and age-related cognitive and functional impairments impacting older adults. Strong knowledge of treatment approaches for serious mental illness, dual diagnosis, and substance use disorders within a geriatric population. Working knowledge of psychopharmacology, including medication considerations specific to older adults (e.g., polypharmacy, side effect profiles, medical comorbidities). Knowledge of aging-related issues, including dementia, capacity, functional decline, caregiver dynamics, and late-life psychosocial stressors. Ability to conduct comprehensive clinical assessments, formulate diagnoses, and develop and implement effective, person-centered treatment plans. Ability to manage complex cases involving psychiatric, medical, cognitive, and social factors, and to make sound clinical decisions regarding risk and level of care. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with consumers, families, multidisciplinary teams, and community partners. Ability to collaborate across systems and provide consultation to other professionals and agencies serving older adults. Ability to provide clinical guidance, mentorship, and supervision to interns, students, or junior staff, as applicable. Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards.

Example of Duties

• Provides advanced clinical services to older adults, including routine and urgent clinical assessments, diagnostic evaluations, and development of individualized treatment plans within a community-based outpatient framework.
• Maintains responsibility for an assigned caseload, delivering individual and group psychotherapy using evidence-based, geriatric-informed approaches.
• Conducts competency and capacity evaluations and prepares clinical documentation for court proceedings; provides expert testimony as required.
• Responds to emerging clinical needs of assigned consumers, including risk assessment and stabilization planning, within the scope of outpatient/community-based services (does not provide hospital-based or mobile crisis response).
• Provides consultation and clinical guidance to team members on complex cases involving psychiatric, cognitive, medical, and psychosocial factors.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and community partners (e.g., APS, housing providers, medical providers, legal stakeholders) to coordinate care and support safe community living.
• Provides outreach and engagement services to connect older adults to behavioral health treatment and reduce barriers to care.
• Coordinates care and provides case management services, including linkage to medical, psychiatric, and community resources.
• Initiates and coordinates referrals for medical, psychiatric, and psychological evaluations as clinically indicated.
• Maintains clinical records in compliance with State, City, Departmental, and Federal regulations, ensuring timely, accurate, and defensible documentation.
• Participates in program development, quality improvement initiatives, and staff development activities.
• Represents the program in community and interagency meetings (e.g., RAFT, Hoarding Task Force, Long-Term Care Coordination) as assigned.
• Accepts and reviews referrals and supports triage and case assignment processes in coordination with team leadership.
• Provides clinical supervision and mentorship to assigned staff, including case consultation, documentation review, and support for professional development (if applicable).
• Performs related duties consistent with the scope of geriatric outpatient behavioral health services.

About the Department

The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Possession of Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field; at least two (2) years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to consumers having one or more substance abuse, psychiatric, and emotional disorders; and licensure or license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities.

Currently licensed as an LCSW, LPC or Clinical Psychologist in Virginia at the time of application. At least two (2) years of post-licensure experience providing psychotherapy and clinical assessments to clients with serious mental health issues and co-occurring substance use disorders. At least two years of experience in a Same Day Access, walk-in or comparable model which provides services for those seeking mental health and substance use services.

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver’s license.

Schedule:Monday through Friday, 8:30AM – 5:00PM