You hear the term “clinician” a lot when discussing human services work. And while that term might bring to mind a white lab coat or a research facility, the reality is that you can’t spot a clinician by what they wear or where they work. The best way to identify a clinician is to look at the difference they make, at the help and guidance they provide, and at the trust they develop in the children, adults, and families in their care.
At Northern Rivers, our clinicians work in a variety of disciplines. They’re highly trained, very experienced, and licensed by New York State in their fields of practice—Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LCSW), and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)—to fill important roles on treatment teams. They’ve earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, passed rigorous state tests, and take continuing education courses to ensure they’re at the forefront of advances in care. And while there’s no way to capture everything clinicians do here, we wanted to show you some examples of just how valuable clinicians are on our teams. Here are just a few ways they make a difference:
Behavioral Health Center-Fee for Service Clinician LMHC
As a clinician at one of our Behavioral Health Centers, Olivia maintains a caseload of about 80 clients. She performs comprehensive assessments when clients first come in, works with clients to understand their goals, develops treatment plans, works with the medical team to make decisions on medication management, and provides therapeutic and case management services. This isn’t old-fashioned, “lie on the couch and tell me about your mother,” care; it’s active, engaged, client-focused mental health counseling, whether it’s in-office at 7 p.m. or via secure telehealth software from anywhere.
Clinical Community Service Provider (LMSW)
As a Clinical Community Service Provider, Jamie travels throughout a three-county area to meet with teenagers and their families in their homes, in restaurants, or anywhere else in the community that feels comfortable. These clients, enrolled in Child and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS) programs, have exhibited mental health needs and need help with professional evaluations, psychotherapy, support with going to school and getting jobs, and learning how to advocate for themselves and access all the resources available to them. A 7:30 a.m. meeting at a diner next to the high school with Jamie can make the difference between a skipped day of school and a passed algebra exam.
Foster Care Clinician (LCSW, LMSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAT)
As a foster care clinician, Chris’ day may be spent driving to a foster parent’s home to observe the youth and family in their natural environment, identify needs and complete a comprehensive assessment for services. Once Chris and the family have identified the needs and goals a treatment plan will be developed with participation from the youth and family. Chris will work alongside the nursing and permanency team to ensure all areas of the treatment plan are being addressed in a client-focused manner. Chris will provide individual and/or family therapy to the youth, foster family and/or biological family. These services can occur in the foster family home, office, school, via telehealth or at a location comfortable to the youth and family. Once the youth is discharged from foster care Chris can continue to provide therapy services to the youth and family for up to one year to assist with transitions through adoption or returning to biological home.
No two days are alike for our clinical staff at Northern Rivers, and no one in our care would be as successful as they are without that clinical support. Here’s to our clinicians and to all those who put in the time to make a difference.