Job Description

Department: Youth Crisis Services

Job Status: Full time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Clinical Manager of YCRC

Positions Supervised: None

Amount of Travel Required: minimal

Work Schedule: variable; includes evenings, weekends, and holidays if part of 24/7 crisis coverage rotation

The Youth Crisis Therapist provides rapid assessment, intervention, and stabilization services for individuals of all ages, with an emphasis on youth, experiencing a mental health, substance use or behavioral crisis.
This position functions as part of Astra Mental Health and Recovery’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), ensuring access to 24/7 crisis care in alignment with CCBHC standards.

The Crisis Therapist collaborates with Astra’s multidisciplinary crisis team—including mobile crisis responders, case managers, peer specialists, medical staff, and law enforcement partners—to provide trauma-informed, person-centered support that promotes safety, de-escalation, and continuity of care.

The Crisis Therapist plays a key role in ensuring individuals are connected promptly to ongoing services, supports, and community resources following stabilization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct timely crisis assessments, including risk of harm, lethality, and psychosocial evaluation for individuals in acute distress.
• Provide mobile, community-based, and on-site crisis response in homes, emergency departments, and other community settings as needed.
• Implement evidence-based de-escalation and stabilization interventions, ensuring safety of the individual served and others involved.
• Develop and document safety and crisis stabilization/safety plans in collaboration with the individual and support system.
• Facilitate warm hand-offs and referrals to appropriate ongoing services within Astra or external community partners.
• Provide brief, solution-focused therapy or crisis counseling to assist with immediate stabilization and transition.
• Collaborate closely with Astra’s Access Team, Recovery Services, and inpatient or emergency partners to ensure seamless transitions of care.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation in Astra’s electronic health record (EHR) in accordance with CCBHC, Medicaid, and agency standards.
• Participate in interdisciplinary crisis case reviews, clinical supervision, and ongoing team training.
• Contribute to quality improvement and outcome monitoring activities related to crisis response and stabilization.
• Model Astra’s trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive approach in all interactions.
• Support Astra’s mission and the CCBHC values of Access, Comprehensive Care, Excellent Outcomes, and Sustainability.
• Other duties as assigned and within scope of training and licensure.

Other Duties

• Demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence
• Approach interactions with individuals served and colleagues with a trauma sensitive lens
• Acts as an ambassador of the agency in the community setting, which may include doing public educational and informational presentations.
• Support and actively promote the vision and mission of the agency and the philosophy of the strengths perspective
• Completes required trainings
• Other duties as assigned, as qualified and trained for.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Licensure:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in a recognized behavioral health discipline (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Professional Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy).
• Licensed or license-eligible in the State of Kansas as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), including LSCSW, LCP, LPC, LMFT, LMSW, or associated provisional license.
• Must successfully pass Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), Central Registry, and any other required background checks.
• Must maintain a valid Kansas driver’s license, good driving record, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years’ experience in youth behavioral health or crisis services preferred.
• Experience conducting suicide risk assessments, crisis stabilization, and de-escalation across the lifespan.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed crisis intervention, community collaboration, and co-responder , mobile responder models.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Crisis intervention theory, suicide prevention, and stabilization models.
• CCBHC standards for 24/7 crisis access and mobile response.
• Trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care principles.
• Behavioral health diagnostic criteria and risk assessment tools.
• Local behavioral health and emergency response resources.

Skills

• Proficiency in rapid clinical assessment, formulation, and safety planning.
• Strong communication and documentation skills, including timely EHR completion.
• Ability to deliver brief, solution-focused, or crisis-stabilization therapy.
• Skill in de-escalation, motivational interviewing, and family engagement.
• Competence in collaboration with multidisciplinary and community response partners.

Abilities

• Respond calmly and effectively to high-stress, emotionally charged situations.
• Engage compassionately with individuals and families in crisis using a trauma-sensitive lens.
• Maintain sound judgment, boundaries, and ethical standards under pressure.
• Work flexible hours and travel within the community as part of the crisis rotation.
• Demonstrate commitment to Astra’s mission, CCBHC principles, and continuous quality improvement.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, or drive for extended periods during mobile response or assessments.
• Fine motor coordination sufficient for documentation and use of mobile technology.
• Occasional lifting or moving of materials up to 25 lbs.
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to assess safety and observe individual behavior.
• May require approved crisis-intervention techniques (e.g., MAB, SafeClinch) during de-escalation.

[PHYSICAL DEMANDS

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.

O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 – 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 – 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Physical Demands Lift/Carry

Stand (F) 10 lbs. or less (F)

Walk (F) 11 – 20 lbs. (O)

Sit (F) 21 – 50 lbs. (O)

Manually Manipulate (O) 51 – 100 lbs. (O)

Reach Outward (O) Over 100 lbs. (O)

Reach Above Shoulder (O)

Climb (O) Push/Pull

Crawl (N) 12 lbs. or less (F)

Squat or Kneel (O) 26- 40 lbs. (O)

Bend (F) 41 – 100 lbs. (N)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

none

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Crisis Therapists provide services in a variety of settings including Astra clinics, homes, hospitals, schools, and community locations. The role involves mobile response, exposure to unpredictable situations, and regular collaboration with law enforcement and emergency partners.

The environment can be fast-paced and emotionally intense, requiring adaptability, professionalism, and a calm trauma-informed presence. This position embodies Astra’s commitment to accessible, integrated crisis care across the lifespan in accordance with CCBHC standards.